Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a symptom ,or, in other words an effect seen in children due to brain injury which takes place during intra-uterine fetal development (before birth), during birth procedure or during early childhood days (1-5 yrs). Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized by muscle tone imbalance, spasticity in legs and arms, inability to initiate bodily movements, lack of control in postural balance such as upright sitting, standing and walking. A causative factor for Cerebral Palsy is noted as Asphyxia (lack of oxygen to brain at the time of delivery) or Hypoxia (insufficient oxygen content in cerebral circulation). Some of the other contributing factors for this condition are premature birth of babies (7-8 months) and babies born with low birth weight (less than 2 kgs).

Common problems experienced by children with Cerebral Palsy
1. Poor respiratory pattern
2. High (or) low muscle tone
3. Inability to receive information properly
4. Inadequate expressive skills
5. Inability to sit and stand erect against gravity
6. Poor feeding pattern
7. Inability to walk in cross pattern walking (Human walking)
8. Poor reading and writing skills
9. Limited bimanual skills
10. Limited Social Integration
11. Frequent seizures and respiratory infections.


All the above problems are not because of weak bones, lungs, heart, muscles, eyes, ears, nose, mouth or throat as might appear prima facie. The cause is central in origin (ie.) INSIDE THE BRAIN.


The Philosophy
• All human functions are controlled and monitored by the complex organ called BRAIN
• The development of human brain starts right from conception and gets completed through about 7-8 stages before the age of 6 years
• Any insult to the developing brain will arrest or delay its growth & function
• The time factor for the completion of brain growth & maturation is approximately from birth to 6 years of age
• Children with brain injury cannot grow and develop at the same speed as non-injured children
• A hurt brain needs a good amount of oxygenated blood flow, minerals and other nutrients to grow
• A child with hurt brain needs receptive and expressive experience to achieve human function
• All human developments take place in a sequential way
The millions of neurons inside the human brain should function in a controlled, integrated and rhythmical way to make it "The Organized Brain"
All children should achieve normal human growth and development before the age of 6 years to perform future human functions.



Different types of Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Cerebral palsy:
This form of cerebral palsy affects 70% to 80% of children. Their bodily muscles are stiff ( spasticity ) and may be permanently contracted. These types of cerebral palsy are described based upon the limbs that are involved.

Spastic Diplegia:
Spasticity is predominant on both legs. Any one upper limb also may be affected.

Spastic Quadriplegia:
High degree of spasticity is seen in all four limbs, trunk and head of the affected child.

Spastic Hemiplegia:
Generally limbs on one side of the body are affected.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy:
This form of Cerebral Palsy is characterized by writhing, slow and uncontrolled movements of body parts. Their abnormal movements are usually seen on legs, arms, hands, muscles of mouth and tongue. The above bodily movements usually increase during periods of emotional stress and may disappear during sleep. This form of cerebral palsy also causes excessive drooling in children.

Dystonic Cerebral Palsy :
Abnormal muscle tone leads to improper gait or walking pattern. Postural tone may also be affected