old man with Cerebral Palsy

How can Physiotherapy Improve Functional Mobility Caused by Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common reasons behind children’s disabilities. Cerebral palsy is a series of neurological disorders that may affect movement, muscle tone or postures. Sometimes, the immature and growing brain of a child gets damaged before its birth. This damage causes cerebral palsy. Signs and symptoms of this disorder become visible in infancy or preschool days. Due to cerebral, impaired movement, exaggerated reflexes, floppiness, or spasticity of some organs including limbs and trunks. In order to treat cerebral palsy, it is important to optimise the motor functions of the patient. Physiotherapy is an integral part of the rehabilitation program. It can efficiently promote the brain’s functions for an action. Many parents are now looking for a trusted physio located in Dee Why on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for this treatment. The more a patient repeats an action, the stronger the neural pathways become. Similarly, overlooking an action may also weaken the neural pathways in the brain. With physiotherapy, the functional disability of a patient can be identified that needs immediate attention of an experienced physiotherapist. Once the problems are identified, the physiotherapist helps the patient recover. In most cases, physiotherapists prepare a tailored rehabilitation program for patients suffering from cerebral palsy.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary from one person to another. Sometimes, it affects the entire body; while sometimes it may affect only some parts of the body or one side of the body. General symptoms of cerebral palsy are difficulties in movement and coordination, speech, eating, development, and other problems.

Listed below are some common symptoms of cerebral palsy:

  • Stiffness in muscle and exaggeration in reflexes
  • Diversity in muscle tone- being either too floppy or too stiff
  • Stiff muscles having normal reflexes
  • Imbalance and lack of muscle coordination
  • Jerky movements and tremors
  • Slow and writhing movements
  • Difficulties in walking, walking in toes, gaits like scissors with crossing knees, wide gait or asymmetrical gait
  • Challenging fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes, or picking up utensils
  • Delayed speech
  • Excessive drooling or problems with swallowing
  • Delayed growth
  • Similar problems like cerebral play

Damage to the brain before birth can cause other neurological disorders as well, such as:

  • Epilepsy
  • Problematic hearing
  • Vision problems and abnormal eye movements
  • Abnormal touch or pain sensation
  • Bowel and bladder related problems, such as constipation and urinary incontinence
  • Mental health degradation, emotional disorders, and behavioural issues

How does Physiotherapy help?

The physiotherapist performs a thorough examination to determine the functional capacity of the child, its nature, and the extent of motor and other deficits. Some highly repetitive, task-specific exercises are associated with physiotherapy. It promotes neuroplasticity and this can lead to in some cases small but life-changing outcomes for patients. Physiotherapy boosts the functional capacity of the patient and enables the patient to move independently as much as it is possible. A well-planned interventional program, in most cases, is prescribed by an experienced physio like FlexiFit Physiotherapy who services Collaroy Plateau. Listed below are some ways physiotherapy can help patients struggling against cerebral palsy:

Assistive aids and modifications

Physiotherapists advise modifications such as two-handled cups, angle spoons, etc. These are useful in dealing with a stiff cloth collar.

Supportive Aids

Supportive aid devices are lightweight splints, which are used for maintaining normal postures. Exercise programs along with splining may help one get a near-normal posture.

Progressive Pattern

Sometimes physiotherapists teach the patients motion considering the head development, trunk rotation, arm on the face side or abduction, external rotation, hand open, elbow semi-fixed, etc.

Synergistic Movement Patterns

In physiotherapy, reflex responses are used in the beginning while voluntary control is deployed later. Head and trunk control can be attempted with stimulation of attitudinal reflexes, including tonic neck reflexes and tonic lumbar reflexes.

Braces

Physiotherapists use braces to rectify deformity, gain an upright position, and control athetosis. Children having spasticity need muscle braces.

Apart from these, some other methods through which physiotherapy can help a patient deal with cerebral palsy are proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuromotor development, Reflex Inhibition, reflex creeping, balance intervention, electrical stimulation and hydrotherapy.
When you meet FlexiFit Physiotherapy for consultation, the physiotherapists will provide you with advice and possible remedies based on your specific circumstance. It’s important for the patients to choose the right physiotherapists who can lead them to recovery and this is where the trusted team at FlexiFit Physiotherapy can help.

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FlexiFit Physiotherapy
FlexiFit Physiotherapy
94 Google reviews
J
J
I can commend Georgia and Tessa for their excellent hands-on approach. So many physios nowadays are often hands-off, so being treated at FF has been a refreshing change 🙌🏻
Kirsten Alexander
Kirsten Alexander
Georgia and Tessa are both friendly and professional and have helped fix my injuries and get me moving again. They are very hands on and I highly recommend them
Danielle de Gail
Danielle de Gail
The girls at FlexiFit are simply amazing. So kind, friendly, understanding and knowledgeable. They know exactly what my body needs. My neck pain has improved dramatically since going here. Love my visits!
Meil's Curic
Meil's Curic
The team at FlexiFit Physio are exceptional practitioners who genuinely care about the outcomes for their clients. When you book with Georgia or Tessa you know you have their full attention for the session, they are not juggling multiple clients and their hands on therapeutic approach is seamless and extremely effective to reduce pain and enable progression from injury. I can not recommend them more highly. Thanks guys!
Julia Fujikawa
Julia Fujikawa
My experience at FlexiFit Physiotherapy has been truly exceptional, and I would wholeheartedly recommend both Georgia and Tessa to anyone in search of effective support for managing persistent pain conditions. Both Georgia and Tessa have been integral to my journey in addressing both acute knee pain and long-standing issues with back pain, tension headaches, and migraines. In the past, my interactions with healthcare professionals haven't always yielded lasting results. However, the level of attentiveness and authentic care they've shown for my overall well-being and the underlying causes of my pain are clearly reflected in their hands-on approaches, follow- up care and advice and healing strategies. I feel so lucky to have found this practice.
Yolande Van Vuuren
Yolande Van Vuuren
These girls saved my day! Professional & friendly service… despite being fully booked, they were quick to respond & help me on the first possible cancellation! Felt so bad with vertigo, was off balance and literally needed support & help to get into the rooms, walked out a different person, independent & without help… just amazing!
Jenny Duke
Jenny Duke
I’ve been seeing firstly Georgia and then Tessa at Flexifit Physiotherapy since I moved to the area early in 2022. I went there initially because I wanted a physiotherapist in the Collaroy area, but then I stayed because they really help. They have always listened to my various problems, asked questions and then worked using both hands-on therapy and have given me exercises to do at home to complement the treatment, making sure I knew what I was doing and doing it correctly. You get their undivided attention for the whole appointment and it never feels like you are being rushed through as just another body to be treated and that they’d rather be somewhere else. Thank you and long may you keep up the good work!!!
Elizabeth Koudsy
Elizabeth Koudsy
Highly recommend the professional, personalised and friendly service delivered by both Tessa and Georgia. I sort after their expertise to alleviate back/shoulder/neck aches. Their hands on treatment style is effective and worth a visit. I feel like I have a new lease on life after an appointment.
Alan Bowers
Alan Bowers
Sisters are doing it... After years of uncomfortable aches and twinges I was referred to FlexiFit. Georgia is my therapist and I'm ecstatic to report no more sleep deprived nights and an improved range of movement in my shoulders and overhead. Coupled with an arsenal of exercises for prevention. I give you 5/5 Georgia - Thank you, so very much
Ivona Richter
Ivona Richter
Georgia is just amazing!! The treatment is personalised and hands on, providing exceptional results. I have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone!!