Many parents of children with cerebral palsy are seeking alternative therapies to improve their child’s symptoms. However, it’s important to know that not all treatments or therapies are safe or effective.
Alternative or complementary therapies lack scientific evidence and have not been widely accepted by medical professionals. Still, some parents report positive outcomes from using these methods.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy in which thin needles are inserted into the body at specific points. This method of treating pain and a variety of other conditions dates back to ancient China. During acupuncture sessions, the nervous system is stimulated and the body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Some patients experience improved mobility and balance after undergoing a series of acupuncture treatments.
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person’s movement, balance and coordination. Symptoms can range from spastic movements to muscle rigidity and intellectual disability. Many parents who are looking for ways to improve their child’s CP symptoms are turning to alternative therapies. CP experts recommend discussing any alternative treatments with your doctor before beginning them.
There are a number of alternative therapies that claim to benefit children with cerebral palsy, but there is often little scientific evidence to support them. These therapies can include yoga, Pilates and tai chi. Acupuncture is a type of alternative treatment for CP that has been shown to relieve back pain, joint inflammation and muscle hypertonicity.
In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture may help to improve sleep. It has been found that people who receive regular acupuncture have better sleep quality than those who don’t receive it. Some people with CP also use hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This treatment involves placing the patient in a special chamber that provides high-pressure oxygen. The FDA has cautioned that HBOT is not proven effective for people with CP, and may even worsen the condition.
Regardless of the type of therapy you decide to pursue, be sure to talk with your child’s CP specialist. They will have firsthand knowledge of your child’s condition and their symptoms and may recommend a specific therapy option that they believe could be beneficial.
In addition to recommending an alternative therapy, your CP specialist may also suggest educational resources and local support services for children with disabilities. Some of these programs may provide a sense of community for families dealing with a child’s special needs, which can be very beneficial for the whole family.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is an alternative treatment that uses music to address cognitive, emotional and physical needs. It is practiced by a trained professional called a music therapist, who has university-level training and musical, clinical and professional competencies. This type of treatment is distinct from the use of music in recreational contexts and by musicians, sound healers and others who offer music as a form of relaxation or entertainment.
Music Therapy for CP can improve speech and motor skills, boost cognitive functioning and encourage self-expression, among other benefits. It can also help reduce pain and anxiety, improve mood and promote physical rehabilitation and overall wellness.
Musical activities include singing, playing instruments and moving to the rhythm of music. They stimulate various organs and systems in the body, including the cardiovascular system and respiratory system. Music therapists may also incorporate music into other therapeutic activities, such as play and group activities.
It is important to note that alternative therapies lack scientific evidence and have not been generally accepted by professionals when compared with traditional treatments. However, many families use CAMs, such as music therapy, to support their child’s other therapeutic efforts.
For children with ataxic cerebral palsy, which affects balance and coordination, music therapy can be especially beneficial. Researchers have found that it can improve children’s Gross Motor Function Measure and Functional Independence Measure for Children scores, as well as their ability to participate in goal-directed activity.
A number of different types of physical exercise can benefit children with CP, including swimming and aquatic therapy. Performing exercises in water is less challenging than on land and can be more fun for young kids. Water-based exercises such as length swimming, shallow-water tuck jumps and stride jumping can enhance gait, balance and mobility.
Individuals with CP often suffer from conditions that can impact their emotional and social well-being. Depression, anxiety and aggression are common for people with CP, so psychological therapies can be helpful in addressing them. Many patients also experience stress and discomfort at end-of-life, which can be addressed with music therapy. Music therapists working in palliative care settings are careful to choose appropriate music that will not overstimulate their patients and provide an opportunity for comfort and self-expression.
Aquatic Therapy
Depending on the type of CP, some children may benefit from alternative therapies to complement their traditional physical, occupational and speech therapy. These complementary treatments can help improve mobility and manage symptoms, but each person with CP is different, so it’s important to speak with your child’s healthcare professional about what types of treatment or therapies might be right for them.
Alternative therapy for CP can take many forms, from acupuncture to horse-riding or underwater exercise. However, it’s important to note that not all alternative and complementary therapies are safe. Some can cause harmful side effects or interact with other products or medications your child is taking, so it’s always best to discuss potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
One alternative therapy that many people with CP explore is aquatic therapy, which involves performing physical therapy in a pool. The water’s buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and resistance can provide healing and therapeutic benefits that aren’t possible on land. According to Western Reserve Hospital physical therapists Toka Johnson and Christine Salem, water-based therapy helps reduce joint stress, which can be beneficial for patients with orthopedic injuries or those recovering from surgeries. It also allows people with weight-bearing restrictions to exercise more easily than they could on land.
Another alternative therapy is hippotherapy, which combines the movements of horses with traditional physical therapy to help improve balance and strength. Studies have shown that hippotherapy can help improve balance, flexibility and coordination in children with CP.
Other alternative therapy options for CP include Adeli suit therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT). Adeli suits are medically fitted garments that can support a child’s body, helping them move more freely. One study found that it helped to improve arm and leg coordination for young children with CP. HBOT is a controversial treatment that has been found to help some individuals with CP by increasing oxygen in the brain, but there is not enough evidence to show that it improves motor skills in those with CP.
If your child developed cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, our Cook County birth injury lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation for your family’s needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.
Dietary Supplements
For children with cerebral palsy, traditional treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Some children with CP also need medications, orthopedic devices and surgeries. But these treatments can be expensive and may not work for every child. That’s why many parents are turning to alternative therapies. These techniques are less costly than traditional CP treatment methods. Plus, they may offer other benefits like pain relief or improved mobility.
Some people with CP turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) because they want to try something different from what their healthcare professionals are recommending for their child’s condition. Others choose CAM because they hear stories about it helping other kids with CP and believe in more natural treatments.
But it’s important for people with CP and their families to understand the risks of these treatment methods. Some alternative therapies are still experimental or lack scientific evidence, and they may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions like seizures or blood circulation issues. In addition, some supplements or treatments may interact with other medicines and cause unwanted side effects.
Before embarking on a new treatment or therapy, you should ask your healthcare professional, therapists and other experts about it. Prioritize those that are backed by strong evidence, such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses or randomized controlled trials. Also, make sure that any new therapy or treatment complements existing care and won’t interfere with any other medical conditions your child has.
One of the most popular complementary and alternative treatment options for CP is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This involves breathing in pure, high-pressure oxygen to improve blood flow and oxygen levels in your child’s brain. This therapy can also reduce swelling and help with cognitive function.
During HBOT, your child wears special clothes and breathes through a mask, while in a specialized chamber that’s pressurized to around 1,400 feet below sea level. The process takes between 40 and 60 sessions over several weeks, which can be very exhausting for a child with cerebral palsy. But it has been shown to reduce spastic movement and improve balance and coordination. It can even increase the effectiveness of other physiotherapy treatments.