Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a congenital disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. CP is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during pregnancy or birth or within the first 2 to 3 years of a child’s life.
CP can limit the body’s ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way. Those who are affected by cerebral palsy experience difficulty with body functions that involve motor skills and muscles, like breathing, bladder and bowel control, eating and talking.
According to studies, the life expectancy in most children affected with cerebral palsy is between 30 and 70 years, depending on the severity of the condition.
Children or adults with CP receive treatments from the occupational and physical therapists to help them gain independence in their activities of daily living and general mobility.
The occupational therapist helps to improve physical, cognitive, social abilities and sensory integration including daily activities such as, eating, getting dressed, using the bathroom, fine motor skills and posture.
Physiotherapy treatment on the other hand uses massage, exercises, and other physical activities to manage pain, increase strength, flexibility, motor development and mobility as well as prevent future complications