Family members working together with health professionals can use home treatment to provide the best possible care for a baby or young child with cerebral palsy (CP).

Education and support for parents and family members

* Learn about the condition. Often the biggest problem for parents is fear of the unknown. Learn about the condition so you are best able to help your child. You may find local or national cerebral palsy organizations helpful, especially in dealing with the impact of daily emotional and lifestyle issues. Talk with your health professional or call your local hospital for suggestions. For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.

* Learn about your child's educational rights. Educational rights for disabled children are mandated by law in the United States. These laws include free early treatment programs, equal access to public education, and protection of the parents' rights to be fully informed about or disagree with educational decisions concerning their child. Contact your state and local education departments for specific information about these accommodations. In addition, vocational training may benefit some teens and young adults.

* Work with teachers and school officials. Work with your child's teachers, school administrators, special learning consultants, and school boards to develop the best educational plan for your child. A cooperative team approach helps your child realize his or her potential.

* Provide emotional support. The needs of a child with CP change over time. As children grow and become more aware of their physical limitations, they need to be able to talk about their feelings and how they are treated. It is sometimes easier for them to talk with someone who is not a family member. Ask your health professional about whether emotional counseling would benefit your child. In addition, include your child when making decisions about his or her health care.

* Take care of yourself. Get proper rest, eat well, exercise, and learn ways to cope with the challenges of raising a child with CP. You will be better equipped to help your child when you have physical energy and emotional strength.

* Help each other. The entire family is affected when one member has CP. Helping family members cope with this situation is important, especially for siblings. You can help prevent other children from developing unrealistic fears and concerns, feeling left out, or becoming overwhelmed.

Helping with daily routines

Each person with CP has unique strengths and areas of difficulty. However, most people with CP need ongoing help with:

* Feeding and eating. Cerebral palsy can affect jaw control and interfere with the ability to chew, suck, and swallow. Special utensils, such as plates that stick to a surface; properly positioning your child at meals; and serving soft or semi-solid foods, such as oatmeal, may be helpful.

* Using the toilet. Some people with cerebral palsy have stiff hip joints or similar problems that make using a toilet difficult. Others do not have dependable bladder control. Training from an occupational therapist and special undergarments are common ways to help treat this condition.

* Bowel elimination. People with CP often become constipated, making stools difficult to pass. Stool softeners and mild laxatives are frequently used for this problem. For information about preventing and treating constipation, see the topics Constipation, Age 11 and Younger, or Constipation, Age 12 and Older.

* Bathing and grooming. People with cerebral palsy who do not have control of their hands or arms usually are unable to groom themselves. Others can be taught some level of self-grooming through regular practice.

* Dressing. Provide clothing and shoes that are easy to put on and take off, such as those with zippers or Velcro.

* Dental care. Cerebral palsy can affect the jaw muscles, make teeth improperly positioned and prone to decay, and cause sensitivity in the mouth and tongue. Also, many people with CP find it difficult to use a toothbrush. You can help your child by providing special equipment, such as a mechanized teeth-cleaning water spray or electric toothbrush; buying toothpaste for sensitive gums; and making sure he or she has regular dental cleanings.

* Skin care. Drooling is common in people with CP, which can cause skin irritation around the chin, mouth, and chest. You can help prevent skin irritations and protect your child's skin by blotting rather than wiping drool, using absorbant cloths to cover the chest, and applying lotions or corn starch to areas that are prone to irritation.

* Speaking. Some people with CP have problems with the muscles in their jaws and mouth as well as hearing loss. These problems, alone or in combination, can make it difficult to form words. You can foster better communicate by speaking slowly, looking directly at your child during conversations, and using pictures or objects as you talk. Reading to your child is also important; using books with bright pictures may be most effective.

* Safety. People with CP are prone to falls and other accidents, especially if they are affected by seizures. You can take general safety measures at home, such as having heavy, sturdy furniture or not polishing floors to help your child avoid accidents. Also, use common sense and care around sharp objects, and never leave a person with CP alone while he or she is bathing.

Preparing for independence

Parents and other caregivers can help children with CP develop to their highest potential. One of the most important things is to help them learn to do as much for themselves as they can. A recent study found that most adults with CP (84%) feel that their parents overprotected them as children. 4

Teenage years

As your child approaches the teenage years and young adulthood, be aware of his or her changing needs.

* Teens and adults with CP need emotional support and understanding. Family members and other supportive friends and family can help them deal with the daily challenges of having CP.

* Gradually prepare your child with CP for independent living. Usually teens have learned to use their talents and strengths. However, they may need extra help and encouragement to prepare for additional expectations and responsibilities.

* Teens and young adults with CP may also need more guidance than other people their age in developing intimate relationships.

Parents must also recognize that they will need to change their own routines as their child with CP grows and develops. For example, parents may not be able to continue caring for a severely affected child who is growing tall and heavy. Parents also need to plan ahead for the time when their grown child with CP is not under their care. For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.

Adulthood

Of all children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, 90% live to adulthood (beyond 20 years old). 3 Preparing your child for adulthood takes careful planning. It also requires patience and resourcefulness on your part; do not abandon your efforts because of frustrating setbacks or obstacles.

* Encourage independent living skills. A time may come when you or other family members can no longer assist your child with CP at the accustomed level.

* Complications of cerebral palsy may develop and affect quality of life; in addition, some forms of CP are more severe and require special assistance. For these reasons, planning for an adult's current and future health care needs is important.

* Occupational therapy and similar programs may be helpful. Most adults with CP are employed, despite moderate to severe physical disability. In the United States, laws protect the rights of disabled people to find and hold employment (among other rights). Learn about the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. For more information about the ADA, see the Other Places to Get Help section.

* Older adults with CP may need extra help preparing for retirement.

About the author:Jerald Chan writes for http://www.cerebralpalsycure.info where you can find out more about cerebralpalsy cure and other topics.

Stretch marks are caused by overextension of the collagen, which is the fiber under the skin. They usually appear because of pregnancy, excessive weight gain and obesity. The bad news is that they are not supposed to disappear.

The breaking process goes like this, as the fiber tears, you may see a thin red line that eventually turns white as it heals. Technically speaking, this is scar tissue, in such thin and hard to handle layers that it would be impossible to remove through surgery or other procedures that may also be very invasive.

One of the procedures used to improve these ugly blemishes is laser surgery, being touted at the newest method for removal. It is a very precise science that may remove some of the marks, but cannot repair the damaged fibers.

But, to be more secure about staying away from these ugly marks is always prevent them, it will always be better than looking for a cure that isn't there. Avoid excessive weight gains, and when pregnant, continue to exercise during the pregnancy and afterwards, to tighten up skin fibers. Another tip is to keep you well hydrated, since dry skin has less flexible tissue, making it more prone to the tears.

There are many products that claim to be effective in diminishing stretch marks. But, the truth is ..most of them don't have effect on you. The may soften your skin, which will keep your skin more supple, but won't remove stretch marks.

In case of pregnant woman, who are the most common sufferers of this skin problem, while it may not help eliminate any stretch marks you may have exercise, it will help you regain the body you had prior to becoming pregnant. And also keep in mind that one of the most critical factors that help determine the answers to these questions is how healthy you were during your pregnancy - both physically and mentally.

Exercising regularly during your pregnancy is very important when avoiding stretch marks. You may become familiar with what will motivate you, give you the best results, and identify the types of exercise that you find the most enjoyable.

Walking, jogging, aerobics, yoga, and many other types of exercise will allow you to lose the extra weight more quickly and you will feel better at the end of each day. Accomplish with a moisturizing product that only contains natural ingredients. This is very important as your skin absorbs all you put on it and many of the topics in the market are made of artificial ingredients.

There are some creams that are made of biological activators that may help you to stay away from unwanted stretch marks

About the author:

Martha Fitzharris is a free lance journalist for http://www.naturalbioskincare.com a website offering a new biological natural skin care product that activates skin renewal for a healthy skin.

Power Partials are another extremely effective training tool for building muscle and gaining strength. It's also another
training tool, like single rep training, or the 20 rep squat
routine, that you rarely see used. Why is that? Because,
despite the effectiveness of power partials in building muscle,
they require a lot of hard work. Brutally hard. And most
people don't want to pay that price. But if you're willing to
work this routine, it will work for you.

In order to train effectively with power partials, you'll need
access to a power rack. Hopefully, your gym will have one. If
you work out at home, I highly recommend you purchase a power
rack. It will last a lifetime and allow you to do almost any
free weight exercise without the need for a spotter.

There are many ways you can incorporate power partials into
your weight training routine. Let's take a look at three
variations of this technique.

1) Perform power partials at the end of your full range set.
Let's use the bench press as an example. Perform your normal
set to failure and then continue the set by cranking out two
or three partials at the top of your range of motion. For
exercises like squats, bench press, and the seated press, you
need to perform these in a power rack. Partials are quite
easy to perform in safety on exercises like the lat pulldown.

2) Perform a set of heavy partials after your full range set.
We'll use squats as the example this time. Do a couple of sets
of 8 - 10 reps using your normal full range of motion. Then pile
on 30 to 40 percent more weight on the bar. After a few minutes
of rest, perofrm a set of top range partials, doing only the top
one third to one quarter of the movement.

3) Do a set of heavy partials before your full range sets. This
version allows you to use the most weight on your power partials.
This version can do a great job of building muscle and strength
at a fast rate. You'll want to build up with a couple of weeks
of submaximum workouts. The reasoning is that by performing your
partials before your full range sets you'll be using a lot more
weight than you are used to. You don't want to risk injuring
tendons and ligaments by using such extremely heavy weights without
building up to them.

You can also progress by training with partials in all three ways,
in the order in which I've described them. This will give you
a natural progression from the least to the most intense and
the lightest to the heaviest weights.

You need to be cautious. Big weights can mean big results but
also big trouble if you don't pay attention to safety and good
form. You can't go from using 150 pounds on the bench press
one workout to using 250 pounds on the bench press the next workout.
You need to build up to these weights. Done properly, power partials
can be your ticket to bigger muscles and more strength.

About the author:

Gregg Gillies is the founder of http://www.buildleanmuscle.com. His articles have appeared in international publications such as Ironman Magazine. He has written two books and is a regular contributor to Body Talk Magazine. You can get a free copy of his ebook Fast Mass at http://www.buildleanmuscle.com/fast-mass.html.

So many of Hollywood's hottest stars rave about its benefits. You can't walk into a gym without seeing classes. But what is pilates, anyway?

Pilates is actually named for a man named Joseph Pilates. Around 1914, Pilates was a performer and a boxer, living in England. During the outbreak of WWI, Pilates was held in a German prison camp, where he taught a health system, based on yoga, Zen philosophy, and a number of exercises taken from the Romans and the Greeks. This health system helped the prisoners to fight off illness and maintain their strength.

The system that Joseph Pilates taught the prisoners was the start of the current pilates movement. This modern version of the workout is a series of exercises that improve strength and flexibility through a series of stretching and balancing exercises.

Chiropractors often recommend pilates as a way to strengthen the back and spine. After some time using the pilates system, an individual can typically expect to notice an increased mobility in the joints, improved circulation, a flatter stomach, and thinner waist and thighs. Typically, those most attracted to the system of workout are dancers, as dance requires a great deal of flexibility and agility as well as strength, all of which the pilates system provides. It is also said that pilates strengthens the body from the inside out, helps to relieve stress and anxiety, and can even aid in the prevention of injury.

Because it is a low impact routine, pilates is very attractive to those needing rehabilitation from injury, the eldery, and the overweight. It increases circulation and reduces weight gradually. Because of this, many women choose pilates after having a baby in order to shed the post-pregnancy pounds.

No matter what the reason for choosing the workout, pilates is fast becoming one of hottest workout trends, and one of the easiest to adapt to all ages and lifestyles. But like any workout regimen, a person should consult their physician before starting. There may be limitations you may not be aware of, and above all other benefits that a workout may bring, your health should be considered above all else.

About the author:

Amanda Baker writes for http://tobeinformed.com - a website for health, fitness and wellness.

Anytime you exercise, you do so in order to try and maintain good health. You also know that you have to eat as well, so your body will have the energy it needs to exercise and maintain for the everyday tasks of life. For making the best of your exercise, what you eat before and after you workout is very important.

No matter if you are going to be doing a cardio workout or a resistance workout, you should always make it a point to eat a balanced mix of protein and carbohydrates. What makes that determining percentage of carbs and protein you consume is whether or not you are doing cardio or resistance exercise and the intensity level that you plan to work at.

The ideal time for you to eat your pre workout meal is an hour before you start. If you plan to work at a low intensity level, you should keep your pre workout meal down to 200 calories or so. If you plan to exercise at a high level of intensity, you will probably need your meal to be between 4,000 and 5,000 calories.

Those of you who are doing a cardio session will need to consume a mix of 2/3 carbs and 1/3 protein. Doing so will give you longer sustained energy from the extra carbs with enough protein to keep your
muscle from breaking down while you exercise.

For resistance exercise, you'll need to eat a mix of 1/3 carbs and 2/3 protein, as this will help you get plenty of energy from the carbs to perform each set you do and the extra protein will help
keep muscle breakdown to a minimum while you exercise.

Eating after you exercise is just as important as your pre workout meal. Anytime you exercise, whether its cardio or resistance, you deplete energy in the form of glycogen. The brain and central
nervous system rely on glycogen as their main source of fuel, so if you don't replace it after you exercise, your body will begin to break down muscle tissue into amino acids, and then convert
them into usable fuel for the brain and the central nervous system.

Keep in mind that mostly during resistance exercise, you'll break down muscle tissue by creating micro tears. What this means, is that after a workout, your muscles will instantly go into repair mode. Protein is the key here for muscle repair, as you don't want muscle breaking down even further to create fuel instead of lost glycogen.

Once you have finished a cardio session, you'll need to consume mainly carbohydrates, preferably those with high fiber. Rice, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, and northern fruits are excellent sources. Also, try to consume 30 - 50 grams of there types of carbs after you exercise. After your cardio workout, it is fine to eat within 5 - 10 minutes.

Once you've finished a resistance workout, you will need to consume a combination of carbs and protein. Unlike cardio workouts, resistance workouts will break down muscle tissue by creating micro tears.

You'll need protein as this happens to build up and repair these tears so that the muscle can increase in size and strength. The carbs will not only replace the lost muscle glycogen, but will also help the protein get into muscle cells so it can synthesize into structural protein, or the muscle itself.

After your resistance exercise, you should wait up to 30 minutes before you eat, so that you won't take blood away from your muscles too fast. The blood in your muscles will help the repair process
by removing the metabolic waste products.

About the author:Mohamed Rabea - Online Tips and Resources! http://easwheyprotein.wheyproteinweb.info http://easwheyprotein.wheyproteinlive.info http://bestwheyprotein.wheyproteinonline.info

Back pain is a common ailment; however, people may get better within a few weeks through massages. Massage is known to improve blood flow and eases tension, thus providing relaxation to muscles. While gentle massages are pleasurable, it does not necessarily offer relief to sufferers of acute low back pain. Combining massage with other treatments, such as physical therapy and chiropractic, is likely to produce best results. In addition, back massages, in combination with non-medical treatments, back exercises and good diet, ensures gradual pain relief.

Benefits of Back Massage Therapy

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, research proves that massage therapy provides many important health benefits, including:

Improvement in blood circulation in the body, which aids in the recovery of muscle soreness due to physical activity.

Relaxation of muscles for an improved range of motion. Muscle relaxation also helps in the treatment of insomnia.

Increased endorphin levels. The increase in endorphin levels is actually one of the greatest benefits of the massage therapy. Endorphins are body chemicals that lend a feel-good feeling, which is very effective in managing chronic pain.

It is important to ensure that precautions are exercised while receiving massage therapy. Your muscle should relax in response to the pressure applied by a massage therapist, in the absence of which, it is possible that muscles are inflamed. In such cases, you should not opt for back massages as a treatment option and consult his/her doctor for the treatment. Most muscle spasms require four massage treatments, usually spread over a six weeks period, to achieve best results. If muscle spasms do not respond to the neuromuscular therapy within two massages, try using another therapy.

If you have severe lower back pain, it is advisable that you undergo thorough medical checkup before commencing the massage therapy.

About the author:

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

Lower back pain exercises are very important for the treatment of back pain and the strengthening of the back muscles. These exercises should be recommended by one�s orthopedic surgeon or the physiotherapist and need to be carried out regularly in the correct manner, in order to derive maximum benefit.

Doctors recommend different exercises in accordance to the condition of a patient. The exercises recommended in the initial and final stages of the treatment also vary. Walking, swimming, biking and aerobic exercises are commonly recommended lower back pain exercises.

In the initial stages of the treatment, doctors recommend exercises involving upward and downward movements of ankles. Exercises, such as the abdominal contraction, wall squats, heel raises and straight leg raises, involve tightening of the abdominal muscles while moving the knees or heels.

In the intermediate treatment program, one can perform back pain exercises, such as the single knee to chest stretch, the hamstring stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercise with the Swiss ball. It is important to ensure that the abdominal muscles remain contracted during each exercise. For this, one needs to lie on his/her back with knees bent and hands resting below ribs.

The advanced lower back pain exercises program involves exercises such as the Hip Flexor Stretch, the Piriformis stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercises with the Swiss ball. Some exercises strain the lower back and should be avoided. These include the hip twists, the hurdlers stretch, sit-ups with straight legs and any kind of stretching exercise that requires quick and bouncy movements. Physical activities, such as swimming and walking, are very good for the strengthening of the back. One must seek proper guidance before taking up any exercise for the treatment of back-related problems.

About the author:

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

As you may know, green tea is one of the most popular types of Chinese tea. Many people, not only the Chinese, consider it as the most refreshing drink for sweltering summers. The primary reasons for this claim are the facts that green tea is cool to the tastebuds and defends against inflammation. Many people have also claimed that it relieves fever.


In fact, the health benefits of Chinese green tea have been known throughout the world. The Chinese have known about these medicinal benefits since ancient times, because they have used green tea to treat ailments ranging from headaches to depression. The writer Nadine Taylor in her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life suggested that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.



These days, numerous scientific studies conducted both in Asia and the West are providing conclusive evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. Notably, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study in 1994 indicating that drinking Chinese green tea regularly lowered the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by close to 60 percent. Also, it was recently reported by researchers of the University of Purdue that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.



There are other medical conditions to which drinking green tea is said to have medicinal benefits. To summarize, these conditions include cancer, impaired immune function, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, and high cholesterol levels.



What Makes Green Tea Extraordinary?



The secret of Chinese green tea's benefits lies in the fact that it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG essentially harms healthy body tissues. Studies also revealed that this antioxidant has been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and blocking the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter benefit takes on added importance because the formation of abnormal blood clots, medically known as thrombosis, is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks.



In addition, the effects of Chinese green tea and the "French Paradox" have a strong correlation. Researches were initially puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet high in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. Red wine was found to be the answer, because it contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a polyphenol that restricts the negative effects of smoking and a high-fat diet. However, in 1997 a study reported that EGCG is twice as beneficial as resveratrol. This discovery also explains the lower rate of heart disease among Chinese men even though approximately 70 percent are smokers.



Additional Benefits



New evidence that unveil further benefits of Chinese green tea are now emerging. One of those claims is that Chinese green tea can also help those people on diets. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more fat than those given only a placebo and caffeine.



Chinese green tea is also reputed to prevent tooth decay. Much like its bacteria-fighting abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also combat the bacteria that cause dental plaque.



Today, several skin products containing green tea, from deodorants to creams, are also available on the market. This is due to the fact that Chinese green tea is found to be powerful in fighting bacteria that cause skin imperfections.



About the author:Robert Williams writes for several web sites, including http://productshelp.com and http://holeinthebucket.com

Back Pain causes a lot of inconvenience and hindrance to the normal lifestyle of a person. There are a number of Back Pain Causes, but the two most common causes related to discs are disc injury and degenerative disc. Disc degeneration leads to water content loss that narrows the gap between two vertebrae. This can cause pinching of a nerve and subsequent pain. Bulging discs are generally confused with ruptured discs. While the former condition is normal, the later condition can be serious. Discs may bulge during the day as they carry the body weight, and get back to normal at night when we sleep. Ruptured discs are damaged discs caused by leakage of jelly like substance called nucleus pulposus.

Back Pain Causes - The Middle Back

Among the Back Pain Causes, mid-back pain can be caused by poor posturing or sitting in one position for a long time. A poorly designed chair can also lead to mid-back pain. At the ethereal level, stress, and emotional worries can cause muscle stiffness that leads to pain in the back. Most back pain cases can be attributed to emotional imbalance.

If your pain in the back is started by normal movements like bending or twisting, it could be a result of a slipped disc or a joint problem of the spine. It could also be because of muscle pull in the back. Muscular pain is among the common Back Pain Causes, which can occur while attempting to carry a heavy weight. Pain that is constant around the chest or mid back area could be the result of a fractured rib. The reason could be an injury or long set osteoporosis, which weakens the bones. Kidney infections can also cause pain in the mid-back. The symptoms are pain and discomfort during passing of urine.

One of the common Back Pain Causes is stomach ulcer. Pain occurs in the mid-back that is accentuated after a meal. Strenuous exercise can also cause pain due to injury to the back muscles.

Your back plays a vital role in mobility and needs care and attention through exercise and proper diet.

About the author:

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

Physical Therapy: A physical therapist specializes in improving the development of the large muscles of the body, such as those in the legs, arms and abdomen (gross motor skills). Physical therapists help children learn better ways to move and balance. They may help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk, use a wheelchair, stand by themselves, or go up and down stairs safely. Physical therapists will also work on fun skills such as running, kicking and throwing, or learning to ride a bike. Physical therapy usually begins in the first few years of life, or soon after the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made. These therapists use specific sets of exercises to work toward the prevention of musculoskeletal complications. An example of this is preventing the weakening or deterioration of muscles that can develop with lack of use. Also, physical therapy will help avoid contractures, in which muscles become fixed in a rigid, abnormal position. Physical therapy will help prevent muskuloskeletal problems, as well as helping your child perform common everyday activities.

Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist specializes in improving the development of the small muscles of the body, such as the hands, feet, face, fingers and toes. These therapists also teach daily living skills such as dressing and eating, as well as making sure children are properly positioned in wheelchairs. They may teach your child better or easier ways to write, draw, cut with scissors, brush their teeth, dress, and feed themselves. Occupational therapists will also help your child find the right special equipment to make everyday jobs a little easier.

Speech and Language Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Speech / Language Therapist: A speech and language therapist helps develop better control of the jaw and mouth muscles, which can improve speech and language skills and eating abilities. They also help develop creative communication methods for those who can not speak. A speech and language therapist will work with your child on communication skills. This means talking, using sign language, or using a communication aid. Children who are able to talk may work with a speech therapist on making their speech clearer, or on building their language skills by learning new words, learning to speak in sentences, or improving their listening skills. Children who can not talk may learn sign language, or how to use special equipment such as a computer that actually talks for you.

Surgical Intervention for Cerebral Palsy

Surgery: Surgery is not always necessary, but it is sometimes recommended to improve muscle development, correct contractures, and reduce spasticity in the legs. Before selecting any surgical procedure, make sure the doctor thoroughly discusses the risks involved, long-term effects and postoperative follow-up. Also, always get a second opinion and speak with other parents whose children have had the same surgical procedure.

Children with cerebral palsy often walk on their toes. This may indicate a tight heel cord. When other treatments for this fail, such as splints and braces, surgery may help correct it by lengthening the tendon. This surgery may help improve the child's ability to walk, improve balance, and prevent further deformity. Surgery is also available to relieve spacticity in the legs and hips of children. This surgery involves identifying sensory nerve fibers being the spinal cord, and then selectively cutting those nerve fibers therefor reducing spacticity. Research on this surgery is still being conducted. The adductors are muscle groups that bring the legs together. If a child's physician determines that the adductors are causing deformities or problems with walking, he or she may suggest a surgical procedure to cut the tendon, which can release muscle contractures and improve mobility. Again, surgery may not always be necessary, but in many instances it can help your child achieve his or her optimal level of functioning.

Therapy and Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Drug Therapy: Your child's doctor may prescribe drugs to prevent or control seizures associated with cerebral palsy. These drugs are very effective in preventing seizures in many children. Because there are different types of seizures, different drugs may be prescribed because no one drug prevents or controls all types of seizures. Such drugs may include Tegretol, Dilantin and Phenobarbital. Drug therapy can also help reduce spacticity associated with cerebral palsy. These drugs include Diazepam, Baclofen, and Dantrolene. If surgery is contradicted, these drugs can help reduce spacticity for short periods, however, their long term value is still being researched. Although drug therapy may not completely correct complications associated with cerebral palsy, evidence does show that it helps manage problems such as seizures and spactisity. Consult with a physician to find out if drug therapy is appropriate for your child.

Sensory Integration Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Sensory Integration Therapy: One other approach to help children with cerebral palsy achieve their optimal level of functioning is Sensory Integration Therapy. This therapy helps to overcome problems experienced by many young children in absorbing and processing sensory information. Encouraging these abilities ultimately improves balance and steady movement. Therapies include stimulating touch sensations and pressures on different parts of the body. With the use of certain items, such as Styrofoam chips, water, or textured toys, this therapy will also motivate children to learn sequences of movements.

Adaptive Equipment for Cerebral Palsy

Adaptive Equipment: Special equipment is also available for children with cerebral palsy. Because of the muscle problems children with cerebral palsy have, your child's doctor or therapist may recommend that they use some special equipment to help them get around or do everyday activities.

A Wheelchair is sometimes used when a child cannot walk. This will allow the child to move from one place to another. Many children with cerebral palsy can use their arms to roll the wheels of their wheelchair themselves, and can move around without much difficulty at all. There are also wheelchairs available that are motorized. This type of wheelchair has a motor that moves the wheels for the child. There may be a joystick on one arm rest that the child can operate on his or her own.

A Walker is a piece of equipment usually made out of light metal. It most often will have four legs that are adjustable in height. Some children with cerebral palsy can walk, but have poor balance and may fall. They use a walker to help them balance and get around without the use of a wheelchair. You may also see a walker with wheels on it, as well as a basket to put some of the child's belongs in.

Because of the fine motor problems often associated with cerebral palsy, children may have a hard time using utensils for eating. Special handles or grips are available for children who have trouble holding onto small objects, such as a fork or spoon. You may also find eating utensils that are specially designed for children with fine motor problems. They may be curved or bent, and are usually designed to fit the child's needs. Special grips and handles are also used on pencils and pens to make them easier for the child to hold and use.

Communication Aids are available for children who are hard to understand, or who have difficulty talking with others. A communication aid might be a book or poster with pictures that show things the child might want, or an alphabet board that the person can use to spell out their message. There are also computers that are used as communication aids that actually talk for the child.

About the author:Jerald Chan writes for http://www.cerebralpalsycure.info where you can find out more about cerebralpalsy cure and other topics.