Children born with cerebral palsy can have a variety of clinical presentations. Their problems might be congenital or functional, if developed post-gestation. Their muscles can be either tight (spastic) and affect one or multiple limbs, or not tight enough (hypotonic). Children with cerebral palsy can also have abnormal muscle movements or exhibit incoordination, known as ataxia. Pending physician approval, a rehabilitation program promotes normal body movement.
Backlying and Rolling Exercises
With the child lying on his back, encourage the child to touch one or both knees and feet with one or both hands. This activity uses his trunk or abdominal muscles and also encourages the child to twist, as many children with cerebral palsy are stiff. Asking the child to roll from their side to either their back or stomach is also another good activity that engages similar musculature.
Swiss Ball Strengthening While on Stomach
Place the child on his stomach over a ball. This will facilitate straightening of the trunk with stabilizing action from the abdominal muscles, as well as beneficial limb motion for the child. Moving the ball to one side encourages the child to lean to the opposite side of the shift. Moving the ball backward and to the child's bent side encourages the child to use his trunk muscles to stabilize himself as he bears weight on his limbs.
Once the child is on all fours with the ball centered underneath him, move the ball backward to encourage the child to straighten his trunk, again stabilizing with his abdominal muscles. Move the ball forward and to the side to encourage sitting on his side and leaning to the opposite side of the roll.
Trunk Strengthening in Sitting
Have the child sit on the ball if this is feasible for him and gently move the ball forward, backward and side to side. This will encourage him to use or facilitate all of his trunk musculature, including his abdominal stabilizers.
Rehabiliation while Kneeling and Standing
Playing with the child in kneeling or standing positions, and placing the toy in front of or to either side of the child, are other excellent ideas that encourage the child to use his trunk musculature for support of his other body movements.
References
- "Pediatric Physical Therapy" Third Edition; Jan Stephen Tecklin M.S., P.T.; 1999
- "Handling the Young Cerebral Palsied Child At Home"; Nancie Finnie FCSP; 1975
