Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a developmental disorder that affects approximately 500,000 children and adults. The disorder affects a person’s ability to move, maintain balance, as well as their posture. The main cause of CP is due to abnormal brain development or any damage that is done to the developing brain during birth or very early on in a child’s life. While there is no cure for CP, there are ways you can manage the symptoms. One of those options being physical therapy in East Meadow. At Island Sports Physical Therapy we offer a variety of services to help those suffering from medical conditions and disorders like CP.
How To Identify CP:
The symptoms of CP can change over time, especially earlier on. These symptoms do not necessarily get worse, they just begin to appear in different ways. Typically, it will affect both coordination and independent movement; making it hard to diagnosis right away in children. Doctors typically will note that if your child is not reaching certain milestones, it may be time to consider bringing them in. Below we are going to break down some of the early signs that indicate your child is suffering from CP.
- Babies or younger than 6 months –
- You notice their head lags when you pick them up while lying on their back
- They tend to feel stiff or floppy
- When picked up, their legs become stiff and either cross or scissor
- If you are holding them in your arms, they often overextend their back or neck (making it seem like they are pushing away)
- A baby older than 6 months –
- Unable to roll over in either direction
- Unable to bring their hands together
- Has trouble bringing their hands to their mouth
- Only reaches out using one hand, the other is kept fisted
- A baby older than 10 months –
- When they crawl, it appears lopsided and they tend to push off one hand/leg while the other is dragging.
- Instead of crawling, they tend to scoot around on their butt or hop on their knees.
If you happen to notice any of these signs, remember it does not always mean your child has CP, but it is important to bring them into their doctor sooner rather than later. Early intervention can help set up a treatment plan that’ll help improve the child’s life. This may include medications, physical therapy in East Meadow, other forms of therapy, or even surgery.
How can Physical Therapy in East Meadow help?
Physical therapy can be used as one of the first steps toward treating CP. While there is no cure, as we mentioned earlier, it can help improve your child’s quality of life by working on their motor skills and preventing future movement problems. Through strength and flexibility exercise programs, special equipment, or even heat treatments our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy can help those suffering from CP. When you decide it is time for physical therapy in East Meadow, your child will regularly work on making the following improvements regarding:
- Coordination
- Balance
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Pain Management
- Gait
- Endurance
- Posture
Early intervention is the best way to tackle a disorder like Cerebral Palsy. The best way to approach this is to take the necessary steps towards setting your child up for success in the future. One of those steps being physical therapy in East Meadow. So take matters into your own hands and schedule an appointment with Island Sports Physical Therapy today!
Telephone No.516-564-9000