Different Kinds of Treatments For Cerebral Palsy

CP or Cerebral Palsy is one of the permanent disorders concerning movements of the body. These disorders occur at birth or during early childhood. Symptoms of CP include stiff muscles, poor coordination, tremors and weak muscles, Problems with vision, hearing, sensation, speaking and swallowing may also occur. CP occurs because of damage to certain areas of the brain. These damages can occur during pregnancy due Infections or high risk pregnancies and pre-term birth are certain risk factors of the disease. Sometimes a genetic cause and a severe head trauma during early childhood years can also cause CP.

While CP cannot be cured completely, there is a good number of benefitting treatment for cerebral palsyused for improving the quality of life of patients. The therapeutic procedures help CP affected children to have the best of their abilities and also provide better physical strength. The treatments also help in preventing complications.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for CP is initiated soon after the diagnosis. It helps to augment development of normal motor milestones and prevention of complications.

Orthosis

Devices and equipments help in maintaining joint mobility by preventing formation of deformity. The devices can also help in the relaxation of spastic muscles and provide the patient assistance during his/her daily activities. Casts, crutches, orthodics, walkers, wheelchairs, special seats and standers are some of the devices used by the CP patients.

Occupational Therapy

The therapy aims to provide functional independence and improve quality of life.

Speech Therapy

This therapy aids in oromotor control. It helps to develop speech and reduce problems like difficulty in eating, swallowing or excessive drolling.

Diet Advice

A registered dietitian can offers parents correct nutritional advice for their children so that they maintain their optimum weight and help build stronger immunity.

Stem Cell Therapy For Cerebral Palsy

Stem cells are those cells that have an intrinsic ability to renew themselves in a repeated manner. They also possess pluri-potent properties and can differentiate in many different cell types. The stem cells also possess the unique characteristic of "Plasticity", which provides the conversion of kind of cell into another kind of specialized cells.

Stem cell treatment of Cerebral Palsy offers a number of advantages:

1. The Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the donated umbilical cords secrete certain trophic factors that can stimulate the repair of damaged brain nervous tissues. These neurotrophic factors also promote neural growth, astroglial activation, neurogenesis, induce the growth of new blood vessels, encourage connection between synapses and provide for axonal remyelination.

2. The MSCs can also stimulate the repair of brain and can well regulate the microglial activation.

3. Stem cells also provide anti-inflammatory features and have immune system modulating capacity.

4. The cells provide for regeneration.

5. The umbilical cords provide adequate number of stem cells, which can be administered multiple times.

Post stem cell therapy, patients show a range of improvements in areas like speech, trunk activity, balance, upper and lower limb activity, ambulation, muscle tone and others.

Leading health-care institutions like Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute (NGBSI) offer stem cell therapy and a complete rehabilitative treatment program for CP patients. Apart from stem cell transplantation, the program also includes therapies like occupational therapy, dietitian advice, yoga, speech therapy and other kinds of therapeutic measures. These measures are necessary for improving the quality of life of CP patients. The institution also carries out stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, autism, dementia and other neurological disorders.