Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder of the brain that affects basic motor functions such as movement of the limbs, speech and muscle coordination, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but there are many therapies and activities children can participate in to help improve muscle function and learn new ways to accomplish the most basic of tasks.
Yoga
It may be a popular adult class at the gym, but yoga can have far-reaching advantages for children with cerebral palsy. Yoga helps stretch and strengthen the normally stiff muscles in the body for children with cerebral palsy, helping them relax and improve mobility and muscle tone. Many children with cerebral palsy experience frustration with the inability to properly control their limbs, and yoga is an effective way to calm the mind as well as the muscles in the body.
Horseback Riding
One of the best ways to not only help a child with cerebral palsy have some fun but enjoy the outdoors is through horseback riding. In fact, hippotherapy is a form of physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy using horseback riding as a way to stimulate the muscles while helping the child have a fun time. In hippotherapy, a trained specialist aids the child with cerebral palsy by sitting behind or standing beside him as he rides the horse, supporting him when necessary and helping the child practice basic motor skills while gaining confidence.
Swimming
Due to the nature of the condition and the effects it has on the limbs and muscles, swimming is an excellent way for children with cerebral palsy to have fun as well as enjoy increased movement. Being in the water reduces pressure on the bones and joints in the body, allowing children the ability to move more freely and feel a sense of relaxation they sometimes can't find on land. Aquatherapy is a popular form of therapy available to some children with cerebral palsy that uses that freedom in the water to develop and improve basic motor skills and muscle control. A specialized therapist works with children in the water, helping them perform basic or even advanced movements and exercises. Aquatherapy may even help children walk, jump and kick who are not able to do so in their day-to-day life. Children may also be able to perform aerobic exercises in the pool, allowing them to get a quality cardiovascular workout that can be hard to do on land.
