Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options

Physical Therapy

There are three goals to physical therapy. First, a therapist will attempt to prevent muscle atrophy, or the deterioration of muscle tissue from lack of use. The second goal is to avoid the contraction of muscles caused by the condition. Third, a skilled therapist can work with a patient to improve motor skills through a program of special exercises.

Behavioral Therapy

A behavioral therapist will act as a coach to the patient to improve physical, mental and communicative skills. The therapy itself varies greatly depending on the individual's needs, age, and level of disability. Some of the techniques used will discourage negative or destructive behavior, while others emphasize self-sufficiency.

Drug Therapy

Drugs are usually prescribed for cerebral palsy patients to control seizures caused by the condition. These drugs vary widely, as the source of the seizures can be attributed to a number of different causes. Different combinations of these drugs also may be required in each individual case. Another application of drug therapy is to control the spasticity caused by cerebral palsy. The three most common of these drugs are baclofen, diazepam, and dantrolene. All work by inhibiting chemical processes in the central nervous system, and have side effects that should be discussed with a doctor.

Surgery

Surgery is recommended in patients suffering from extreme muscle contractions that do not respond well to other forms of treatment. These muscle contractions can be corrected by surgically lengthening the tendons and muscles involved. If surgery is selected as a treatment option, pre-operative analysis is the most important component of the process. In this phase, doctors select which tendons and muscles will be adjusted to compensate for contractions. This is crucial to the process, as complex movements such as walking may require a number of different muscle groups to be modified.