Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that inhibits body movement and muscle coordination, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is often caused by brain damage either before or during childbirth, but it can also develop from brain damage within the first five years of life. CP can influence and reduce your muscle tone, motor skills and movement, and it also can cause vision, hearing and speaking disorders. Physical therapy uses specific types of exercise to combat the muscular effects of CP and allow children to function normally.
Water Exercises
According to United Cerebral Palsy, aquatic activities are ideal for individuals with cerebral palsy. Water exercise can be done as an indoor or outdoor activity. Because water's physical properties offer resistance while also reducing the load-bearing requirements of a person's lower body, exercises can be done in this environment that cannot be done on dry land.
Water-based exercise expands the limits of movement for someone with CP and improves respiratory strength. Cold water can even help improve muscle tone. Simply playing in the water can be effective, and activities such as swimming, kicking and splashing can yield some benefit, according to United Cerebral Palsy. There are also some CP-focused exercise programs available at rec centers that can be used for physical therapy purposes.
Stretching
Stretching is very valuable to a CP patient's muscles and should be a part of any exercise program. Stretching, according to the Mayo Clinic, can slow down the development of contractures in the muscles, which limit the range of motion in your joints. Stretching can be enacted as soon as muscle tone abnormalities are identified. Stretching all muscles can be beneficial, and trained specialists can assist individuals with extenuating difficulties, such as those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Other Exercises
According to United Cerebral Palsy, there are many other types of exercise that can be beneficial to individuals with CP. Among these is yoga, which can ease stress in the body while improving your muscles' mobility, flexibility and tone. Dancing is a fun activity that can be done in many forms, and moving to the music can help your child relax while also building muscle tone and improving cardiovascular strength and health. Dancing need not be organized, and looks or form do not matter. Kicking and throwing balls also can help develop and maintain hand-eye coordination.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cerebral Palsy
- United Cerebral Palsy: Exercise Principles and Guidelines
- United Cerebral Palsy: Aquatic Therapy
- United Cerebral Palsy: Sports and Leisure Suggested Exercises
- KidsHealth.org: Cerebral Palsy
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Cerebral Palsy Information
