Physiotherapy and physical therapy are two aspects of rehabilitative health that may be confused, but they practice these disciplines differently. Optimal movement and physical function are restored, maintained, and promoted by them. With these accommodations, individuals with motor impairments are able to reduce restrictions on activity, participation, and environmental factors. In physical therapy, functional training, manual therapy, assistive technologies, and electrotherapeutic methods are used.
Physical therapy is very beneficial for children with cerebral palsy. Regardless of the severity of cerebral palsy, pediatricians are likely to recommend physical therapy.
Pediatric Physical Therapy: Goals and Objectives
In dealing with cerebral palsy-related issues, physical therapy helps children strengthen their muscles, improve their coordination, balance, and posture. The level of control, balance, and mobility a child with cerebral palsy has will depend on the severity of the disease.
Physical therapy can also help cerebral palsy patients if:
- Having physical obstacles
- Intensify independent thinking
- Make it easier for you to move around
- Muscle building
- Osteoporosis prevention
- Become able to utilize adaptive equipment
- Fitness, flexibility, balance, and uprightness
- Reduced pain and discomfort
Physiotherapy Benefits
Physical therapy has numerous benefits, from improving mobility to preventing future issues such as contractures and dislocations by keeping the body strong and flexible. Through physical therapy, CP patients often become more self-reliant. The main goal of physical therapy treatment for cerebral palsy is to improve the physical abilities, make everyday movements easier for children with cerebral palsy. Physical therapy can improve coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, endurance, manage pain, posture, gait, and overall health.
In addition to them, there are many more benefits associated with physical therapy, especially for children with cerebral palsy. The impact of physical limitations on children’s daily lives can be significant.
Each child’s strengths and weaknesses will be taken into consideration when constructing a comprehensive treatment plan. After a diagnosis has been made, the treatment plan can be developed to offer individualized physical therapy that will help with cerebral palsy side effects, such as:
- Atrophy of the muscles
- Motion is limited
- Inability to move joints
- Myofascial pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Inflammation of joints
- Muscles that are rigid
Every child undergoes a thorough medical history and physical examination before beginning physical therapy. Physical therapists conduct numerous other tests in addition to the physical exam in order to assess muscle control, mechanics, and functions, including:
- Physical strength
- Flexibility and balance
- Range of motion
- Sensory integration
- Endurance
- Joint integrity
- Cognitive functioning
- Posture
- Breathing
- Reflexes
The results of the test are then used to create a child care plan. A physical therapist then sets benchmarks for a child’s progress, and the child is helped to meet them. Physical therapy treatment for cerebral palsy specialists typically do this while completing stretching, strength exercises, or games that include specific movements or purposes.
In therapy, exercises, stretches, stances, and balance are often instructed to be practiced at home, work, or school outside of therapy sessions.
What is the Process of Physical Therapy?
A physical therapist or a physical therapy specialist uses the methods as:
- Muscle mobilization (massage)
- Mobilization of joints
- Exercises that target specific muscle groups
- Stiffening
- A therapeutic exercise program that aims to increase endurance
The process of physical therapy involves hands-on exercises guided by a therapist.
There is typically a variety of equipment used during exercises, including exercise machines, bands, rollers, balance balls, heat and cold packs, ultrasound technology, etc.
At Hope AMC, a world-class physical therapy center in Dubai, our physical therapists follow the pediatric physical therapy programs, such as the Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME), mobility exercises, posture control, sensory processing integration, intensive suit therapy, and spider cage therapy. We can help your child with our specialized physical therapy services offered by one of the best physiotherapy clinics in Dubai.
Get in touch with our pediatric physical therapy team in Dubai Today!
