venerdì 30 dicembre 2011
mercoledì 28 dicembre 2011
mercoledì 7 dicembre 2011
domenica 29 maggio 2011
Treating Cerebral Palsy With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
What is Cerebral Palsy?
The term cerebral palsy refers to a class of disorders which results in severely impaired motor skills, leading to spastic movements, loss of fine motor control, and awkwardly contracted muscles. While the exact cause of cerebral palsy is cannot always be determined, complications or injuries sustained during birth account for many cases of cerebral palsy.
There is no known cure for cerebral palsy; it is a lifelong disorder. However, with intensive treatment and therapy regimens, as well as attention and care from parents and medical personnel, many children with cerebral palsy can become functional, relatively independent adults.
An Overview of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the administration of high concentrations of pure oxygen in a strong- but controlled-pressure environment. Originally developed as a treatment for decompression sickness in divers, HBOT essentially creates an extremely oxygen-rich blood supply and internal body environment. HBOT has also proven effective in promoting the healing process for severe burn victims and patients with severe, slow-healing wounds.
HBOT for cerebral palsy is generally administered at a pressure equivalent to being 16.5-25 feet below sea level, in one-hour sessions. Studies have supported the benefits of HBOT in cerebral palsy patients, improving the patients' speech, hearing, and vision capabilities, while reducing spasticity by up to 50%.
Scientists theorize that the effectiveness of HBOT in treating the symptoms of cerebral palsy goes back to the root causes of cerebral palsy. In patients with cerebral palsy, the brain has difficulty communicating with the rest of the body, leading to the characteristic spastic, jerky movements. In some cases, where cerebral palsy is caused by traumatic head injuries tied to birth complications, a lack of oxygen flow to and increased swelling in certain areas of the brain causes these sections to fall into a dormant state. The hyper-oxygenated environment created by HBOT appears to promote a revival of these dormant areas and reduce the brain swelling by constricting blood vessels.
As with many forms of treatment, HBOT has proven more effective if administered in the early stages of cerebral palsy; however, some evidence exists which shows benefits for HBOT even years after symptoms first appear.
The risks of properly-administered HBOT are fairly minor. The most common side effect of HBOT therapy is ear discomfort, similar to the effect of rapidly ascending in an airplane. This is due to the pressure differential created by the HBOT's high-pressure environment. In very rare cases, damage to the eardrum may result if the pressure is not alleviated. Simple techniques such as swallowing, jaw movements, or the Valsalva maneuver are all able to equalize this pressure difference.
For more information on cerebral palsy and other birth injuries, visit the website of Williams Kherkher's birth injury attorneys at http://www.birth-injurylawyers.com
Joseph Devine
giovedì 19 maggio 2011
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Cerebral Palsy: A Problem-Based Approach to Assessment and Management
This book is a practical resource for physiotherapists and occupational therapists who support people with cerebral palsy, helping them to solve the problems with movement and other impairments that so often accompany cerebral palsy, so that they can be more active and better able to participate in roles such as study, work, recreation and relationships.The first chapters provide the background to the clinical reasoning approach that informs the whole text, as well as an overview of therapeutic interventions. The subsequent chapters present clinical situations that therapists will encounter in the course of their work with individuals with cerebral palsy across the lifespan. Each chapter describes a case in detail, including the reasoning behind assessment and treatment choices, interventions and outcomes.
The themes emphasized throughout the book are the use of the clinical reasoning approach of the intervention process model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a framework to help therapists inform patient and family decision-making, family-centred approaches in developing and implementing therapeutic strategies, and multidisciplinary team work.
Price: $39.99
martedì 17 maggio 2011
Physical Therapy of Cerebral Palsy
This book is a derivative of the author’s well-regarded Cerebral Palsy and focuses on rehabilitation techniques. The book discusses the theory and techniques used by physical and occupational therapists, and also provides suggestions for implementing an Individual Education Plan. The book includes chapters on rehabilitation techniques. Tables and algorithms are included to help in the decision-making process for determining what treatment would be most beneficial. On the accompanying CD there are more than 100 case studies, as well as videos of children with gait disorders.
Price: $59.95
mercoledì 11 maggio 2011
Treatment And Therapy For Your Child's Cerebral Palsy
here is no standard treatment or therapy for cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy affects each person differently so treatment must be individually tailored as well. Since there is no cure for cerebral palsy, most doctors focus on finding treatment and therapy geared toward managing or diminishing the neurological problems associated with cerebral palsy.
Therapy and treatments for the symptoms of cerebral palsy are numerous. Most experts agree a combination of treatments, given in conjunction, produce the best results. A cerebral palsy victim's health care team work together to prescribe a balanced regimen of treatments designed to increase quality of life. An individualized therapy and treatment regimen for cerebral palsy may include:
* Drugs to control muscle spasms and seizure
* Occupational therapy and treatments designed to increase self-sufficiency in cerebral palsy patients.
* Physical therapy to help manage muscle control issues
* Emotional counseling to assist in creating and maintaining a positive self image and attitude
* Treatments in speech and speech therapy to help increase or hone communication skills in cerebral palsy patients.
* Braces or other assistive technology designed to assist movement
* Surgery to reduce spastic contracture of muscles
The Most Successful Treatments and Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
Improvements in the treatment of cerebral palsy are advancing as science progresses. Three treatments and therapy procedures have recently become known as successful in treating cerebral palsy: Botox injections, the Baclofen pump and a surgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy or SDR. Each treatment has its own risks and benefits.
Botox Treatment for Cerebral Palsy
Botox is the brand name for a commercialized version of the Botulism toxin. Doctors use Botox to reduce muscle tightness, increase the ability of a muscle to stretch and to decrease likeliness of permanent muscle contracture. The toxin works by blocking nerve signals passing between the muscle and the spinal column.
Botulinum toxin is one of the most deadly substances known to man. When used in extremely small does it is relatively harmless, unless a person is allergic to the toxin. Poisoning only occurs from the consumption of excessive amounts of Botox.
The benefits seem to far outweigh the risks. Doctors inject Botox into 3 or 4 small muscle groups particularly affected by cerebral palsy. Injections provide measured relief from spastic muscles for around 3 months. Many cerebral palsy patients use the period of relief to work on muscles stretches and range of motion exercises. Botox is expensive and the effect of the treatment is temporary.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy with the Baclofen Pump
The Baclofen pump is a surgically implanted pump filled with a drug used to reduce muscle spasticity. It is implanted in the lower abdomen and delivers the drug directly to the spinal cord by catheter. Baclofen treatment is known to be extremely effective for some people. Risks include infection from surgery, seizures from overdose and depressed breathing. Statistics indicate the pump is safe and rarely results in any serious complications.
Baclofen has been used orally to reduce muscle spasms for a long time. Doctors discovered the benefits of the drug were increased when applied directly to the nerves causing cerebral palsy symptoms. The pump also produces fewer side effects than when baclofen is taken orally. The benefits of reduced muscle tension increase the quality of life for many people with cerebral palsy.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy as a Treatment for Cerebral Palsy
Selective dorsal rhizotomy works best for cerebral palsy patients with spastic diplegia. Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgery that reduces muscle stiffness and spasticity in the legs. Several vertebras are removed from the back so a surgeon can reach the spinal cord. Nerves affecting muscles with symptoms of cerebral palsy are cut to reduce spasticity.
Benefits vary from patient to patient and are most prevalent for children under the age of 4. Selective dorsal rhizotomy is different from other cerebral palsy treatment because the benefits are usually lifelong, rather than temporary. Gains in movement result allow increased abilities in walking, breathing, sitting up, bending at the waist, hand use and head control.
Risks center on the surgery itself, not later side effects. Removal of vertebrae can result in back pain and problems. Surgeons always risks cutting too many nerve fibers. If the incorrect fibers are severed the result can be total paralysis.
Jeff Rasansky is cerebral palsy attorney who practices in Dallas, TX. He has won multi-million dollar settlements for his cerebral palsy clients.
Click here to visit his website cerebral-palsy-information.com.