How PT Benefits Cerebral Palsy Patients

At Loop Physical Therapy, we regularly work with kids who have cerebral palsy. Some have mild symptoms and need a little help managing their energy to get through the day. Others struggle with day-to-day movements and need to work on building different skills to maintain their independence. But for all of our patients, the benefits of PT for cerebral palsy are clear!

Cerebral palsy (CP) doesn’t actually refer to a single condition but rather to a group of different neurological disorders that first appear in infancy or early childhood. These disorders impact a child’s movement, muscle coordination, posture, and balance, alongside other symptoms. Most kids with CP require a multidisciplinary care team, and pediatric physical therapy helps with movement.

Today, we want to explore the many benefits of PT for cerebral palsy patients. We’re also happy to answer your questions at our Edgewater, IL, Chicago Loop, IL, West Loop Chicago, IL, and Oakbrook Terrace, IL clinics!

Five Benefits of PT for Cerebral Palsy

1. PT improves motor development. Kids are constantly learning new skills, including motor skills. However, most children with CP will struggle to learn the critical motor skills they need to function. Pediatric therapy offers additional support and instruction to help our patients move to the best of their ability.
2. PT improves your child’s muscle strength and endurance. Cerebral palsy impacts a child’s muscles. Some kids will have tight muscles that restrict mobility. Others will struggle with weak or “floppy” muscles, contributing to their movement difficulties. We’ll show your child fun, playful activities to help build their muscular strength and endurance.
3. PT can help your child manage pain. Cerebral palsy and persistent pain often go hand-in-hand. This pain will make it harder for your child to enjoy their favorite activities. Pediatric therapists offer several alternatives to pain medication. Manual therapy can provide immediate pain relief, and we can also fit your child with a brace or other types of equipment if it will be useful.
4. PT helps build lifelong habits. There’s no cure for cerebral palsy, but physical therapy can help your child develop healthy habits that will improve their quality of life through adolescence and beyond. We’ll help your child find physical activities they enjoy and provide guidance on self-care and daily routines.
5. PT can be fun. We saved the best for last! We know your child doesn’t want to go to yet another doctor’s appointment, but the good news is–we aren’t medical doctors! We’re movement specialists who go the extra mile to create a fun, interactive environment where your child can pursue activities they enjoy. By making play the foundation of treatment, we help instill a life-long love of movement in your child.

Help Your Child Explore the Benefits of PT

The benefits of PT for cerebral palsy are undeniable. If your child isn’t meeting with a pediatric physical therapist, schedule an initial consultation at Loop Physical Therapy. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan that suits their needs and interests.