Therapy: The Cornerstone of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Therapy is the best way to mitigate symptoms of cerebral palsy. Therapy should begin as soon as a child is diagnosed because statistics show early intervention results in a better quality of life in the future. Since there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatment by therapy is a victim's best chance at living as near a normal life as possible.

There are three main areas of therapy found to beneficial for people with cerebral palsy: physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language therapy. The goal of all three is to improve a person with cerebral palsy's capabilities. Each case of cerebral palsy is different, so each therapy regimen must be tailored to the individual. Health care teams should work together to determine what combination of therapies will enable a person to best mitigate their symptoms and live life to their full potential.

Therapy will be a regular part of life for a person with cerebral palsy. It won't cure cerebral palsy but certainly helps reduce its challenges. Independence and quality of life improvements are goals for therapist working with cerebral palsy victims. Some people will make great strides in becoming independent while others will only improve in small ways. Any improvement in the disabling symptoms of cerebral palsy should be considered a victory and one small step towards a living a fuller life.