Rehabilitation centers for disabled children

Cerebral palsy (CP) in a child implies a certain style and rhythm of life aimed at restoring the motor activity of the affected limbs of the little patient. It is almost impossible to do this on your own, since adequate treatment includes a whole range of measures that must be carried out by a qualified doctor. Developed rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy in specialized centers develops muscle abilities and allows you to calmly adapt to society.

The disease develops as a result of lesions of the central nervous system, in particular the departments responsible for the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. The causes may be birth injuries due to improperly performed care, discrepancy between the size of the fetus and the pelvic outlet of the woman in labor, intrauterine infections affecting nervous tissue, and diseases endocrine system mothers, proven hereditary predisposition. Detection of pathology is possible using ultrasound screening, blood tests, or after birth in the first year of life, when the child should begin to take his first steps.

The earlier the disease is detected, the greater the likelihood of significant improvement in health. The neurologist prescribes an individual plan for the treatment and rehabilitation of cerebral palsy. Traditionally, it includes balneotherapy, physical therapy, massage, and physiotherapy using specialized modern equipment. Sometimes dolphin and hippotherapy are added.

Balneotherapy

It involves relieving symptoms by placing the patient in baths with natural mineral water or artificially prepared solutions of mineral salts with the addition of sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide, oxygen, their increased concentration enters the blood through the skin and lungs, the work of the nervous system, heart, blood vessels is stabilized, trophism tissues and metabolism improves. As a result, the pain subsides, the muscles relax, and movements become more active.

Typically, a rehabilitation center offers therapy with artificial waters, since not all treatment and preventive institutions have the ability to work in conditions of full provision natural sources. There are two main groups of baths: pearl and radon.

Radon baths are based on the healing effect of the decay of a radioactive substance - radon. Immunity improves, indicators decrease blood pressure, heart rate, breathing stabilizes, cell regeneration accelerates.

Pearl baths influence due to air bubbles, the difference between the temperature of water and air. Recommended for atonic and ataxic forms of childhood cerebral palsy.

Dolphin therapy and hippotherapy

Dolphin therapy first appeared in the United States of America and then spread throughout the world. It is used for many neurological disorders, Down syndrome, and retardation in physical and mental development. Treatment of cerebral palsy in Russia similar method less relevant, but such a central region as the Moscow region has similar resources.

The therapy is based on ultrasonic vibrations produced by animals, the beneficial effects of water, moderate activity of the limbs and positive emotions obtained from contact with dolphins. The child’s well-being is monitored by a pediatrician, neurologist, psychotherapist, and other doctors.

Contraindications to this procedure include epileptic seizures, acute or chronic diseases in the acute stage of infectious or non-infectious origin, benign, malignant neoplasms, phobias.

Hippotherapy differs in its mechanism of action on the damaged organism. A child, riding a horse, experiences oscillatory movements, controls his position in space, tries to hold correct posture. The musculoskeletal system and vestibular apparatus are strengthened.

Physiotherapy

The rehabilitation center must have modern equipment that medical personnel can use.

The most widely used are electric currents and modulated fixed frequency of electron movement (amplipulse therapy), their effect is combined with the administration of drugs (electrophoresis). The current increases muscle tone during muscle atrophy (electric stimulation) or, conversely, calms (electrosleep).

Magnetotherapy predominantly has a bioresonance effect, calms the nervous system, and improves blood circulation.

Laser therapy strengthens vascular wall, increases the restorative abilities of the blood. It is carried out in three ways: acupuncture, intravenously and cutaneously.

Additionally, thermal wrapping, application of paraffin and mud relaxes the striated and smooth muscles. The impact occurs on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region spine, upper and lower extremities involving large, medium and small joints. Passes pain syndrome, lymphatic drainage increases, metabolic processes, aimed at the synthesis of necessary substances and energy production.

Therapeutic exercise and massage

The longest item in terms of time is the one that includes continuous physical therapy exercises. Gymnastics are performed either individually or with a small group of patients. The movements consist of smooth turns of the head, tilts of the body in different directions, and the arms and legs are included in the process. A rehabilitation therapist teaches how to crawl, sit, hold a certain position, and correctly transfer body weight from one limb to another. Older children learn to walk, correct gait defects, and maintain coordination of movements. Of particular interest to young patients is aerobics, dancing, hobbies that develop fine motor skills, drawing, game uniform classes. Articular gymnastics corrects and restores speech, which promotes rapid adaptation in society.

Massage is based on a targeted effect on certain parts of the body, rubbing, kneading muscles that are in hypertonicity. Experts use essential oils, sudden changes temperatures down to very low levels. Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy with the help of regular external pressure is reduced in time by several times.

Social rehabilitation

External changes in the upper and lower extremities, impaired coordination of movements and speech significantly affect the perception of a person by the people around him. Society is wary of the patient or laughs at him, especially in kindergarten or school. The patient's self-esteem drops, signs of mental disorders and perception of the surrounding world appear, and emotional timidity develops.

The rehabilitation center for children with cerebral palsy provides a staff of specialists, including psychologists, speech therapists, who regularly work with patients, capable of treating not only the body, but also the mental state. Therapy takes place in a conversational form using techniques and tests to identify psychological problems, individual therapy is being developed to eliminate behavioral discomfort.

In addition, in ordinary comprehensive schools social education should be carried out; teachers are obliged to explain to children their manners of behavior, to cultivate the correct attitude towards the sick, disabled and other people with disabilities. certain features. Social workers are required to conduct family checks and analyze the parents’ attitude towards the child.

Sanatoriums

Sanatoriums imply not only rehabilitation, but also drug treatment of pathology. Such treatment and preventive institutions are organized in cities and regions with a pleasant climate, mountainous terrain, near the sea or in full contact with nature in order to stabilize the emotional sphere.

Used medicines, administered in sanatoriums, include anticonvulsant medications with strict control of the dosage of the drug, analgesics and antispasmodics for constantly recurring seizures, antioxidants, neuroprotectors and vitamin complexes in combination with the use of essential microelements.

Rehabilitation depends on the type of disease, but in 60% of cases the person begins to walk independently and calmly finds his own place in society.

Medical Center Clinic Melnikova E.A. – specialized medical institution neuropsychophysiological direction, whose activities are aimed at organizing complex treatment of children and adults with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy (CP), mental retardation speech development various etiologies(ZPRR), autism, as well as treatment of the consequences of strokes and traumatic brain injuries. Our clinic is also a rehabilitation center for children with cerebral palsy.

The clinic uses the latest world, domestic and proprietary methods and methods for identifying and treating diseases of the human nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, auditory and visual analyzers, peripheral nerves and musculoskeletal system. Qualified neurologists, using advanced Russian and international technologies, on specialized high-tech equipment, conduct thorough diagnostics and treatment, combined into a single complex, called: " New technology treatment of cerebral palsy";
New treatment technology various types psycho-speech delays, including ASD (autism spectrum disorder)."
New technology for treating the consequences of TBI (traumatic brain injury) and strokes;

Medical technology for the pathogenetic treatment of cerebral palsy and delayed psycho-speech development – autoneuritotherapy - including diagnosis, main pathogenetic treatment and auxiliary treatment - developed and patented by the head physician of the Clinic, candidate medical sciences, neurologist highest category Melnikova Elena Anatolyevna. She used this method for more than ten years and proved itself very well in the treatment of such patients at the Cortex Medical Center, where she was the chief physician all this time.

In July 2014, a restructuring took place at CORTEX MC: one of the divisions - neurological department in Moscow it became an independent Clinic.

Managers scientific activity Melnikova Elena Anatolyevna are:

Basic treatment for PVD is based both on the activation of the speech centers themselves (Broca's area, Wernicke's area, angular gyrus, etc.), and on the restoration of lost connections not only between centers, but also interhemispheric ones. In addition, scattered axonodendritic connections of speech centers with other areas of the brain involved in speech function are restored. As a result, Speech appears. For more details, see the section of the site: "Treatment of ZPRR"

Autoneuritetherapy is carried out in combination with drug treatment (introduction of nootropics bypassing the blood-brain barrier, lymphotropic therapy), antigravity therapy, therapeutic massage, dry immersion baths and Exercise therapy , music therapy. The effectiveness of treatment is increased by the use of special unique neuro-orthopedic rehabilitation pneumatic suits RPK "Atlant", plantar load simulators"Corvit", which received the name "Legs" from patients at the Clinic, as well as the use Gross simulator And anti-gravity baths. Classes are held with speech therapist-defectologist.

Treatment of patients with cerebral palsy and cerebral palsy carried out in the mode day hospital. Baby strollers are provided for patients to travel around the Clinic.

Course treatment of cerebral palsy and cerebral palsy carried out by courses of treatment 20 days. The treatment process is carried out from Monday to Saturday inclusive, Sunday is a day off.
Arrivals for treatment are made on certain days in accordance with

Effective rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy includes a set of measures. Attention is paid not only to the physical, but also to the mental development of the child, the acquisition of skills of independence and social adaptation. For children with disabilities, free observation, vouchers for treatment in sanatoriums, and provision of medicines and supplies are also possible. technical rehabilitation.

Causes of the disease and risk factors

The causes of cerebral palsy are divided into intrauterine provoking factors and postpartum ones. The first type includes:

• difficult pregnancy;
• unhealthy lifestyle of the mother;
• hereditary predisposition;
• difficult childbirth, during which fetal asphyxia occurred;
• acute or some chronic diseases of the mother;
• children born prematurely and with low birth weight;
• infectious processes occurring in a latent form in the mother’s body;
• toxic poisoning of the child’s brain due to incompatibility of mother and fetus in blood type and Rh factor or liver failure child.

Postpartum triggers include:

• baby weight up to 1 kg at birth;
• the birth of twins or triplets;
• head injuries at an early age.

In every third case, however, it is not possible to identify the specific cause of the pathology. And as a rule, rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy does not depend on the causes of the disease. can be reconsidered only in the case of premature and low birth weight babies - such patients often require more careful care and medical supervision.

Main phases of the disease

Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy depends on the phase of the disease, the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. There are three phases of the course of the disease:

1. Early (up to 5 months). Cerebral palsy is manifested by developmental delay and preservation of unconditioned reflexes.
2. Primary (up to 3 years). The child often chokes on food, does not try to speak, asymmetry, hypertonicity or excessive muscle relaxation are noticeable.
3. Late (over three years). It manifests itself as shortening of one limb compared to the other, disturbances in swallowing, hearing, vision, speech, convulsions, disturbances in urination and defecation, delay mental development.

Early signs of cerebral palsy

Early signs of cerebral palsy include the following deviations:

• delayed physical development: head control, rolling over, sitting without support, crawling or walking;
• preservation of “childish” reflexes upon reaching 3-6 months of age;
• one hand dominance by 18 months;
• any symptoms that indicate hypertonicity or excessive relaxation (weakness) of the muscles.

Clinical manifestations of the disease can be either pronounced or almost invisible - it all depends on the degree of damage to the central nervous system and brain. You should seek medical help if:

• the child’s movements are unnatural;
• the child has seizures;
• muscles look excessively relaxed or tense;
• the baby does not blink in response to a loud sound at one month;
• at 4 months the child does not turn his head towards a loud sound;
• at 7 months does not sit without support;
• at 12 months does not speak individual words;
• the baby does not walk or walks unnaturally;
• The child has strabismus.

Comprehensive rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy gives the best results if it begins at an early age. At severe forms illness, untimely recovery physical activity or late development of social skills, the child may remain completely unadapted to life.

Is it possible to cure the disease?

Cerebral palsy is a disease that is almost impossible to cure completely. However, comprehensive and timely rehabilitation allows children with this diagnosis to undergo education on an equal basis with healthy children and lead a full life. Significant progress can be considered if the child retains a few symptoms of the disease.

Modern methods of treating cerebral palsy

The main task for children with paralysis is the gradual development of skills and abilities, physical and social adaptation. Methods that are developed individually for each child gradually correct motor defects, improve motor activity, develop the patient emotionally, personally and socially, and develop independence skills in life. Everyday life. As a result of systematic rehabilitation, the child can integrate into society and adapt to future life independently.

The rehabilitation program for children with cerebral palsy includes the following approaches:

• treatment with water procedures: swimming, balneo- or hydrotherapy;
• PET therapy, or treatment with animals: hippotherapy, psychophysical rehabilitation in the process of communicating with dolphins and swimming;
• the use of orthopedic devices, exercise equipment, gymnastic balls, ladders;
• increasing bioelectrical activity of muscles;
• therapeutic massage to reduce the degree of lethargy and muscle spasms;
• drug treatment: Botox, botulinum toxin, Xeomin, Dysport are used;
• Vojta therapy, which allows you to restore natural behavior patterns;
• physiotherapeutic treatment: myoton, ultrasound, magnetic therapy, darsonvalization;
• Montessori therapy, which allows you to develop the ability to concentrate and develop independence;
• sessions with a psychologist;
• speech therapy classes that correct speech disorders (the Logorhythmics program);
• special pedagogy;
• shiatsu therapy - massage of biologically active points;
• classes using the Bobat method - special gymnastics using certain equipment;
• laser exposure to reflexogenic zones, the tip of the nose, joints, reflex segmental zones, the area of ​​paretic muscles;
• art therapy aimed at preparing the child for learning;
• Peto's technique - dividing movements into separate acts and learning them;
• surgical orthopedic interventions;
• Spa treatment;
• alternative treatment methods: osteopathy, manual therapy, catgut therapy, vacuum therapy, electroreflexotherapy.

Of course, not all methods of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy are listed above. There are many ready-made programs developed and currently being developed by rehabilitation centers, alternative approaches and techniques.

Physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

Physical recovery of a sick child should begin as early as possible. Leading experts in the world have recognized that the rehabilitation of a disabled child (CP) brings the best results up to three years of age, but in Russia many centers refuse to accept children under one or three years of age, and doctors are in no hurry to establish a diagnosis and register disability. But still, physical rehabilitation is the most important stage in the adaptation of a special child to later life, and you should start working with a young patient immediately after the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is established.

Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy is necessary to prevent weakening and atrophy of muscles, to avoid the development of complications, and is also used to promote the child’s motor development. Therapeutic massage, physical education and exercises on special simulators are used. In general, any physical activity is useful, and the supervision of a specialist will help form motor stereotypes and properly develop physical fitness and prevent addiction to pathological positions.

Rehabilitation Bobath therapy

The most common form of rehabilitation is Bobath therapy in combination with others, no less effective methods. The essence of the therapy is to give the limb a position opposite to that which it, due to hypertonicity, tends to assume. Classes should be conducted in a calm environment, three times a day or a week, each movement is repeated 3 to 5 times. The movements themselves are carried out slowly, because the main goal of treatment is muscle relaxation. Exercise sets are developed individually. Treatment using the Bobath therapy method can also be carried out at home - a parent or guardian is trained to perform the techniques with the help of a specialist in a rehabilitation center.

Means of technical rehabilitation

When physically restoring the motor activity of a child with cerebral palsy, means of technical rehabilitation of children are also used. Severe cerebral palsy requires devices for the mobility (walkers, wheelchairs), development (exercise bikes, special tables and chairs) and hygiene (bath seats, toilet chairs) of the child. Also, rehabilitation means for children with cerebral palsy involve the use of orthopedic devices and exercise equipment. For example, the Adele suit is used, which redistributes the load and develops motor skills, the “Veloton”, which stimulates the muscles, the “Spiral” suit, which allows the formation of new stereotypes of movements, and so on.

Social rehabilitation of disabled children with cerebral palsy

Closer to school age More attention is paid to the child’s social adaptation. Efforts are directed toward developing independence skills, mental development, and preparing the child for collective learning and communication. In addition, the patient is taught to dress independently, take care of himself, perform hygiene, move around, and so on. All this will reduce the burden on those caring for a disabled child, and the youngest patient will be able to adapt to life.

Psychologists, speech therapists and teachers work with special children. The role of parents or guardians who will work with the child at home is extremely important. Social rehabilitation of children (CP) pursues the following goals:

• extension vocabulary and outlook;
• development of memory, attention and thinking;
• developing personal hygiene skills;
• developing self-service skills;
• development of speech, formation of culture.

Children with this diagnosis can study in experimental classes, which are often formed in private schools, but if there are significant restrictions, it is better to think about boarding or homeschooling. In a boarding school, a child can communicate with peers, gain special skills and participate in career guidance activities. Homeschooling requires more parental involvement and daily medical supervision.

In many cases, further work activity of a person diagnosed with cerebral palsy is possible. Such people can master the professions of mental work (teachers, but not junior classes, economists, architects, junior medical staff), work at home as programmers, freelancers and even (if hand movements are preserved) as seamstresses. Employment is impossible only in severe cases.

Disability due to cerebral palsy

It has several forms and degrees of severity. Disability for cerebral palsy is issued if the disease is accompanied by restrictions in relation to normal life activities, learning, self-care, and speech contact. Registration of disability is possible only after medical examination. Mother and child will have to see a neurologist, surgeon, psychiatrist, pediatrician, orthopedist, ophthalmologist and ENT specialist. The “adventures” do not end there. Followed by:

• draw up a final conclusion from the head of the medical institution;
• go through the document verification procedure in an adult clinic;
• submit the package of documents to the collection point for medical and social examination.

Depending on the period of establishment of disability, carry out medical and social examination(and therefore, to go through all the doctors again) must be repeated after a certain period of time. You also need to obtain conclusions again if the completed individual program rehabilitation undergoes changes - for example, if a child, as prescribed by a specialist, requires a new means of rehabilitation.

Benefits for disabled children with cerebral palsy

Registration of disability for some families is a vital issue, because it makes it possible to receive cash payments for rehabilitation and benefits.

Thus, families with disabled children with cerebral palsy are entitled to the following benefits:

• free rehabilitation in federal and regional centers and sanatoriums;
• a discount of at least 50% on payment for municipal or public housing, as well as housing and communal services;
• the right to priority receipt of land plots for individual construction, gardening and housekeeping;
• provision of medicines (as prescribed by a doctor), medical nutrition products;
• free travel to and from the place of sanatorium-resort treatment, as well as on public transport (benefits are given to a disabled child and one accompanying person);
• compensation for the services of a psychologist, teacher and speech therapist, determined by the individual rehabilitation program (in the amount of no more than 11.2 thousand rubles per year);
• exemption from fees in kindergartens;
• compensation payments to unemployed persons caring for a disabled child (a parent, adoptive parent or guardian can receive 5.5 thousand rubles, another person - 1.2 thousand rubles);
• pension for a disabled child and additional payments (in total 14.6 thousand rubles as of 2017);
• the period of caring for a child with a disability is counted as part of the mother’s work experience;
• the mother of a disabled child with cerebral palsy has a number of benefits under labor legislation: she cannot be involved in overtime work, business trips, has the right to work part-time, retire early, and so on;
• a single mother raising a disabled child cannot be fired, except in cases of complete liquidation of the enterprise.

Rehabilitation centers in Russia

IN special centers Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy is carried out comprehensively and under the supervision of relevant specialists. As a rule, systematic classes, an individual program and professional medical support for both children and parents make it possible to achieve significant results in a relatively short period of time. Of course, to consolidate the results, you need to continue studying according to the proposed program at home.

Russian Scientific and Practical Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Sports (Grossko Center)

There are several rehabilitation centers in Russia. The Grossko Center in Moscow operates according to a comprehensive program: upon admission, diagnostics are carried out, then specialist instructors in physical rehabilitation work with a special child. Physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy at the Grossko Center includes physical therapy classes, swimming, exercises with special simulators that allow them to develop coordination of movements and consolidate motor stereotypes, exercises on a treadmill, and roller skating. Based on the results of pedagogical testing, programs are adjusted so that the rehabilitation meets the needs and condition of a particular small patient.

The cost of rehabilitation of a child (cerebral palsy) at the Grossko Center is, of course, not small. For example, you will have to pay 1,700 rubles for the initial appointment, and the cost of 10 physical therapy sessions (45-50 minutes each) is 30 thousand rubles. One session with a speech therapist (lasting 30 minutes), as well as a massage session (30-40 minutes according to the doctor’s indications) will cost 1000 rubles. However, there really are results from the classes, and the Grossko Center itself is a prominent institution.

Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after. R. R. Vredena

The Rehabilitation Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy named after R.R. Vreden (RNIITO - Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics) in St. Petersburg provides its clients full complex services: from diagnostics to surgical intervention, including, of course, treatment and recovery. The center's highly professional specialists with many years of practical experience have more than twenty fully equipped departments at their disposal.

Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Due to Cerebral Palsy

The Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities due to cerebral palsy is considered one of the most accessible and well-known. The center’s doctors work on the basis of several dozen rehabilitation programs and use all modern domestic developments and find individual approach to every patient. The center accepts children from three years old. In addition to direct physical recovery, small patients are treated by speech pathologists, speech therapists, professional massage therapists and conductologists - teachers who work with children and adults with disorders of the central nervous system.

Institute of Conductive Pedagogy and Regenerative Movement Therapy in Budapest, Hungary

Rehabilitation of a disabled child (cerebral palsy) at the Institute named after. A. Petyo in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a center where hundreds of families strive to get to. The institution is famous for its excellent specialists, the use of the most modern developments in the treatment of young patients, as well as visible results achieved by children with cerebral palsy who have completed a rehabilitation course.

There are many other rehabilitation centers and sanatoriums that accept children with cerebral palsy for rehabilitation. Only in Moscow, for example, there are the “Movement” Rehabilitation Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy, the “Ogonyok” Rehabilitation Center, the “Overcoming” Rehabilitation Center and others. Some institutions also offer free rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy. Families with disabled children are also supported in charitable organizations and social centers.

Cerebral palsy develops as a result of damage to brain tissue (damage to the brainstem, cortex, capsule). Clinically, the disease is manifested by paralysis, atony or hypertonicity of certain muscle groups, as well as impaired swallowing reflex, mental development, and difficulties with social adaptation. Symptoms vary depending on the affected area. The most common causes of the disease are birth trauma, asphyxia during childbirth, and intrauterine infection. When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, constant treatment and rehabilitation are required to help alleviate the severity of the pathology.

The rehabilitation course for patients with cerebral palsy is carried out on the basis of rehabilitation centers created by the state. Patients can be referred there by a local pediatrician, a therapist or a doctor from the somatic department.

Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy includes a wide variety of procedures aimed at reducing muscle tone, stimulating mental development and collectivization of the child. Duration recovery period varies and depends on the severity of the disease (severe degrees require constant exercise). Doctors and rehabilitation specialists advise starting a recovery program at 1 year of age. The effectiveness of treatment measures for cerebral palsy depends on the age of the child. Since kids neural connections in the brain recover much faster than in older children.

Basic methods of rehabilitation of cerebral palsy:

• massage;
• physiotherapy;
• bobat and vojta therapy;
• hydrotherapy;
• use of devices and exercise equipment that prevent the development pathological posture, reducing muscle hypertonicity;
• classes with a speech therapist to correct speech defects;
• psychological support for parents and children;
• drug therapy necessary to eliminate excessive muscle tone;
• surgical operations – tendon plasty, corrective osteotomy;
• performing neurosurgical operations;
• physiotherapy;
• hippotherapy, dolphin therapy;
• art therapy (therapy using drawings);
• sensory therapy.

During rehabilitation, the child is given one goal: to learn to roll over, stand, sit, and grasp or hold objects. During classes, the child’s adaptation to society improves, as well as intellectual abilities child.

Drug and surgical treatment

Rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy necessarily includes drug therapy.

Purpose of use medications are:

• decreased muscle tone (relieving pharyngeal spasm or paralysis, weakening pathological posture);
• stimulation of blood circulation in the brain;
• elimination of convulsive syndrome;
• improving the conduction of nerve impulses in brain tissue.

Patients with cerebral palsy often experience epileptic seizures. The drugs Lamotrigine or Toparamate are used as anticonvulsant therapy. Mydocalm, Baclofen is actively used to reduce muscle hypertonicity, which facilitates the restoration of motor activity in the child in the future. For stimulation brain activity doctors prescribe the drug Actovegin, which is necessary to improve cerebral circulation. At severe pain The doctor prescribes analgesics and antispasmodics.

If a child with cerebral palsy has accompanying illnesses, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, therapy with Thyroxine and short-acting insulin is added to the treatment long acting. Obesity is treated with drugs that speed up metabolism, a balanced diet and physical activity. In case of severe agitation, children are prescribed antidepressants.

Orthopedic and surgical correction

TO surgical care include operations to eliminate contractures in joints that occur with constant increased tone of the flexors (extensors) and atrophy of the antagonist muscles. Surgeons perform surgical interventions to replace joints, perform tendon grafting, and osteotomy. Brain surgeries are performed to restore the functioning of nerve bundles. These techniques help to partially alleviate and restore the patient’s motor activity.

Massage and physical therapy (physical therapy)

Massage and exercise therapy are considered the main directions physical rehabilitation Cerebral palsy. Massage is performed only by a specialist. This procedure is carried out daily and is designed to improve blood circulation in the extremities and relieve muscle spasms.

Therapeutic physical training is necessary to restore the functioning of atonic muscles. A physical therapy doctor works with the child and prescribes sets of exercises depending on the clinical manifestations of cerebral palsy. The child performs the exercises independently, as well as with the help of a doctor or mother. Classes are conducted on a mat, with a ball and dumbbells. The complex of exercises often includes bending, squats, lunges, crawling, stretching, and walking.

Exercise therapy doctors use the “tunnel” exercise, walking on an inclined or swaying board to train balance, jumping rope, elastic band, and the game “hopscotch.” Daily exercises 2 times a day for 1 hour for a year lead to positive results. It is not recommended to cancel classes.

Use of devices and simulators

To facilitate movements and redistribute the load on muscular system Doctors use special complexes for children. They are attached to the ceiling and floor, have many stretching elements that slightly counteract the spasming muscles, and also carry out passive movements of atrophied muscles.

Exercises on simulators are carried out only under the supervision of medical personnel or the mother. Parents are actively trained to use exercise equipment correctly so as not to harm their child. Using the Adele suit will improve your training results and make your movements easier in everyday life. The “rider” simulator, the “spiral” suit, and the universal Gross system help you acquire new skills and sensations.

Patients with cerebral palsy need wheelchairs, walkers, toilet chairs, hygienic bath seats, and exercise bikes. You can purchase verticalizers. These are devices for holding a child in a standing position. They are equipped with a special table for eating and wheels that make it easier for the child to move around the room. Physical education, massage, and specialized devices are also used in the rehabilitation of adults with cerebral palsy.

Other techniques

Medical rehabilitation of cerebral palsy includes many methods: physiotherapy, speech therapy classes, various board games, as well as outdoor games. Water procedures and swimming with dolphins are useful.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy includes hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, mud therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, electrophoresis. Water procedures include swimming in the pool, sea and pine baths, and dolphin therapy. Swimming has a positive effect on all muscle groups, promotes skeletal growth, and calms the child. It is often combined with gymnastics. The color-dynamic quantum chamber combines swimming pool activities with a laser shower.

Electrotherapy is prescribed to stimulate brain function by improving blood flow. Galvanic baths combine the effects of electric current, water, medicinal substances. Ultrasound therapy is performed to improve blood circulation. If the child is agitated, wakes up at night, and also has frequent epileptic seizures, electrosleep is indicated for him.

Dolphin therapy, hippotherapy

Rehabilitation of cerebral palsy includes treatment with dolphin therapy. The course lasts 2 weeks. The child receives new sensations and a lot of positive emotions. When moving its fins, the dolphin directs streams of water at the baby, which have the effect vibration massage. Touching a dolphin stimulates sensory sensitivity, which helps the functioning of the functional centers of the brain.

Hippotherapy – horseback riding. This technique strengthens the back muscles, helps train balance, and prevents depression in children. It is suitable for children over 2 years old, teenagers, and adults.

Classes with teachers, speech therapists and psychologists

The task of teachers and psychologists during the rehabilitation of cerebral palsy is to teach the child to communicate with other people using speech, emotions, gestures, play, and work. Staff must create an environment for the child in which he does not feel inferior. Teachers and parents teach the child to serve himself independently and prepare the child for the learning process. Speech therapists build a clear, correct speech, correct the pronunciation of words, form the strength of the voice and speech flow.

Educational games and drawing

During rehabilitation, doctors advise to exercise more fine motor skills. It develops the child's intellectual abilities. For these purposes, mosaics, puzzles, construction sets, collecting sticks, playing musical instruments. It is very useful to involve children with cerebral palsy in art therapy. Drawing calms the child, gives him the opportunity to express his thoughts and emotions, and prepares him for learning.

Sensory therapy, Bobath therapy, Vojta therapy

For patients with cerebral palsy, there are sensory rooms in rehabilitation centers. They are equipped with various kinds of irritants (colored garlands and lamps, massage chairs, couches, balls with a pimply surface, dry baths filled with colored balls). The child is in the room with the mother for 30-40 minutes.

Bobath therapy is carried out through supportive and stimulating techniques for movement. Vojta therapy is the activation of certain muscle groups at the reflex level. It is used in children under 1 year of age. Timely use of this method can stop or prevent the onset of the disease.

Conclusion

Rehabilitation is important stage recovery in patients with cerebral palsy. It is used in adult as well as pediatric practice. For achievement successful treatment it is necessary to persistently engage in therapeutic physical education, attend physical procedures for several years. A complex approach to rehabilitation therapy early stage disease can lead to an improvement in the patient’s condition, and in children under 1 year of age, to the prevention of the onset of cerebral palsy.

Rehabilitation of cerebral palsy - video