This article will discuss the effects of cerebral palsy, symptoms, causes and how baby massage can help.
Cerebral palsy has affected over 500,000 children and adults throughout the country. Unfortunately the doctors will tell you that this disorder has no cure. I would have to disagree. I agree that there isn’t a magic pill that will make it go away, but there are things that can and must be done so that the person suffering from cerebral palsy can live as normal a life as possible.
Cerebral palsy affects the muscle tone, movement and motor skills. Generally the main cause of this disorder is lack of oxygen to the brain, before, during, or after birth. Causes can range from doctor negligence, complications in the womb or during birth . For instance if the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck cutting off their oxygen supply. But there are some instances that it has happened after birth such as a severe head trauma.
Cerebral palsy has different types. The three different types include spastic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy.
Each of these types will affect you differently. Spastic will cause stiffness and make movement very difficult, they will be jerky movements rather then smooth. Athetoid causes random and involuntary movements throughout your entire body, including your face. Ataxic cerebral palsy will cause poor coordination of movements, and your balance and coordination will make it difficult to walk.
Some people will have mild to severe cerebral palsy. This depends on which parts of the brain were affected and how severely. Some may compare it to somebody who has suffered from a stroke and can no longer do the things they used to do. Severe cases may not be able to move at all and be considered a vegetable.The mildest case may limp and have speech problems. People with cerebral palsy may be mentally retarded or they can be of above average intelligence. They just may not be able to articulate themselves because of the part of their brain that the cerebral palsy has affected. Imagine if all of a sudden you were unable to speak. Would that mean that you should be considered dumb? No you shouldn’t, just because you all of a sudden were unable to communicate verbally doesn’t mean that you are dumb. Keep that in mind.
My son has mild to moderate cerebral palsy. The doctors told me that my son would never talk and most likely would be confined to a wheel chair. I refused to believe this and today he is running, talking, reading, and very intelligent. This is a result of physical, speech, and occupational therapy along with a lot of hard work.
One main thing a parent or caregiver must do when the infant with cerebral palsy is brought home from the hospital, is to perform baby massage. Baby massage will aide in helping the child overcome stiffness, especially if the child has spastic cerebral palsy. In Jaden’s case he was unable to open his hands, they were in tight fists, and he couldn’t move his arms over his head. I massaged him at least three times a day. It was a slow process but eventually his hands opened up and he became more flexible.
Contact your local Area Education Agency or your child’s therapist for instructional materials on how to perform baby massage. There is a correct and incorrect way. Massaging also aids in helping your child becoming physically active later on. Infant Massage is a must for kids with all types of cerebral palsy and other brain injuries.
Cerebral palsy affects the muscle tone, movement and motor skills. Generally the main cause of this disorder is lack of oxygen to the brain, before, during, or after birth. Causes can range from doctor negligence, complications in the womb or during birth . For instance if the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck cutting off their oxygen supply. But there are some instances that it has happened after birth such as a severe head trauma.
Cerebral palsy has different types. The three different types include spastic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy.
Each of these types will affect you differently. Spastic will cause stiffness and make movement very difficult, they will be jerky movements rather then smooth. Athetoid causes random and involuntary movements throughout your entire body, including your face. Ataxic cerebral palsy will cause poor coordination of movements, and your balance and coordination will make it difficult to walk.
Some people will have mild to severe cerebral palsy. This depends on which parts of the brain were affected and how severely. Some may compare it to somebody who has suffered from a stroke and can no longer do the things they used to do. Severe cases may not be able to move at all and be considered a vegetable.The mildest case may limp and have speech problems. People with cerebral palsy may be mentally retarded or they can be of above average intelligence. They just may not be able to articulate themselves because of the part of their brain that the cerebral palsy has affected. Imagine if all of a sudden you were unable to speak. Would that mean that you should be considered dumb? No you shouldn’t, just because you all of a sudden were unable to communicate verbally doesn’t mean that you are dumb. Keep that in mind.
My son has mild to moderate cerebral palsy. The doctors told me that my son would never talk and most likely would be confined to a wheel chair. I refused to believe this and today he is running, talking, reading, and very intelligent. This is a result of physical, speech, and occupational therapy along with a lot of hard work.
One main thing a parent or caregiver must do when the infant with cerebral palsy is brought home from the hospital, is to perform baby massage. Baby massage will aide in helping the child overcome stiffness, especially if the child has spastic cerebral palsy. In Jaden’s case he was unable to open his hands, they were in tight fists, and he couldn’t move his arms over his head. I massaged him at least three times a day. It was a slow process but eventually his hands opened up and he became more flexible.
Contact your local Area Education Agency or your child’s therapist for instructional materials on how to perform baby massage. There is a correct and incorrect way. Massaging also aids in helping your child becoming physically active later on. Infant Massage is a must for kids with all types of cerebral palsy and other brain injuries.
