Cerebral Palsy

Physiotherapy is a core part of managing Cerebral Palsy (CP). It aims to improve movement, posture, and overall functional ability. Since CP affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills, physiotherapy is tailored to each individual’s needs, depending on the type and severity of their condition.

Here’s how physiotherapy typically helps and what treatments are involved:

🔍 Goals of Physiotherapy in Cerebral Palsy:

  1. Improve or maintain mobility

  2. Enhance muscle strength and coordination

  3. Reduce spasticity (muscle stiffness)

  4. Prevent contractures (permanent tightening of muscles/tendons)

  5. Support independence in daily activities

  6. Encourage participation in social/play/school activities

🛠️ Common Physiotherapy Techniques:

1. Stretching and Range of Motion Exercises

  • Prevents joint stiffness

  • Maintains flexibility

  • Especially important for children with spastic CP

2. Strengthening Exercises

  • Focuses on weak muscle groups

  • Uses resistance bands, body weight, or play-based techniques

3. Postural Training

  • Improves sitting, standing, and walking posture

  • May involve balance training on unstable surfaces

4. Gait Training

  • Helps improve walking ability and symmetry

  • May involve treadmill walking, parallel bars, or assistive devices (e.g., walkers, orthotics)

5. Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)

  • Hands-on technique that promotes normal movement patterns

  • Helps the child “unlearn” abnormal postures and learn controlled movements

6. Functional Training

  • Practice of real-life skills like dressing, climbing stairs, or transferring from bed to chair

7. Assistive Devices and Orthotics

  • Physiotherapists recommend and help train use of:

    • Braces (AFOs)

    • Walkers

    • Wheelchairs

8. Hydrotherapy (Aquatic Therapy)

  • Water reduces stress on joints and improves freedom of movement

  • Ideal for children with limited mobility or high tone

9. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

  • For hemiplegic CP (one side affected)

  • Encourages use of the weaker limb by limiting movement of the stronger side

📈 Physio Across Lifespan

  • Infants: Focus on early movement and posture

  • Toddlers: Play-based mobility and independence

  • School-age: Gait, strength, and school participation

  • Teens/Adults: Function, fitness, and managing complications like joint pain or fatigue

💬 Final Notes:

  • Treatment is individualized and multidisciplinary

  • Collaboration with occupational therapists, speech therapists, orthopedic doctors, and caregivers is key

  • Early and consistent therapy often leads to better long-term outcomes