Acupuncture
The philosophy behind Acupuncture is that it works on
the subtle energies of your system, promoting a greater flow of the
life force ("Qi") by eliminating blockages and stagnation in the energy
system. Stimulation of the paralyzed body part(s) is thought to stimulate
the affected brain damaged areas. Acupuncture can also be used to
treat secondary conditions often associated with CP.
Resources:
Foundation for Traditional
Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture Home Page
A website describing the techniques and uses of acupuncture, as well
as providing a list of practitioners in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
The Strokedoctor
A health clinic providing therapies and services for people with CP.
The Health Restoration Clinic
26381 Crown Valley #130
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(800) 300-1063
(949) 367-8870
Adeli
Suit
The Adeli suit is an adapted astronauts space uniform
which provides an additional, vertically directed load on the body
when worn by a child or teenager with cerebral palsy. The goal of
this therapy is to "normalize" the pattern of locomotive and motor
actions of the trunk of the body and lower limbs.
Resources:
Euromed
This Center offers a 28 day holistic therapy rehabilitation session
available throughout the year.
Euromed Rehabilitation Center:
ul. Piastów 10
76-032 Mielno
Poland
Office phone: (+) 48 94 346 67 90
fax: (+) 48 94 3189 854
lobby phone: (+) 48 94 316 64 50 (when calling from USA add +011 to
the above numbers)
e-mail:poland.office@euromed.pl
Detroit
Free Press: Article on the Adeli suit and the story of American
families who have gone to Euromed (included are photos).
North
Oakland Medical Centers’ Euro-Peds clinic offers an intense
type of physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy and other
neuro-muscular disorders.(photos and other media)
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Alexander
Technique
Alexander Technique is a method that people can learn
to relieve the pain and stress caused by everyday misuse of the body.
Practice of the Technique promotes a continually improving coordination,
support, flexibility, balance, and ease of movement.Over a course
of sessions, a qualified teacher helps the patient to release muscular
tension and restore the body's original poise.
Resources:
The
Alexander Technique
A site providing a collection of internet resources and descriptions
of courses and publications.
Amino
Acid Therapy
Metabolic Amino Acid Therapy now used extensively in
Russia is a method of treating brain damage and brain abnormality
developed. This approach encourages the poorly functioning brain to
switch permanently to reserve cells which have the potential to function
normally.
Resources:
A
Page provided by Familes with Special Needs Children
This detailed page explains what amino acids are, how they work, and
who the therapy benefits. There are also some parent comments at the
bottom.
Two-Year
Experience Of Use Of Amino Acid Preparations Developed At The "Primavera
Medica" Center In Infantile Cerebral Palsy Treatment: Changes In Therapy
Tactics
A Study conducted by a Russian doctor detailing the produre and results
of Amino Acid Therapy in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.
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Biofeedback
Biofeedback is the technique of learning voluntary control
of body functions with the purpose of recovering, maintaining or improving
health and/or performance. It involves sensory electrodes being placed
on a person's skin that evaluate the biological signals produced by
the body. These body signals are then electronically amplified to
provide "feedback" to the patient. Biofeedback helps people to regain
use of injured limbs and re-train the injured brain.
Resources:
Biofeedback
in Miami
A father and son's personal account of receiving biofeedback treatment
in Miami, Florida. Includes factual information about biofeedback
and photographs
Research
Fact Sheet
Comprehensive fact sheet about Biofeedback, posted by UCP of Prince
George's and Montgomery Counties, USA
Bobath Method (see NDT)
Botox
Botox is a pharmaceutical injection of Botulinum Toxin
administered directly into a spastic muscle to relieve muscle spasm
within 3 to 7 days of the injection. The effects of each injection
lasts approximately 3 to 6 months. Botox is made from a bacterium
that causes a serious form of food poisoning which blocks the transmission
of the nerve impulse from a nerve to a muscle. Studies have shown
its usefulness in treating muscle spasms in people with cerebral palsy.
Resources:
Keeping
Current In... The Use of Botulinum Toxin
in
Children with Cerebral Palsy
A detailed document written by the Director of the Neurodevelopment
Program at Bloorview-MacMillan Centre that provides the reader with
an introduction and subsequent sections including "How Does It Work?",
"Are There Any Side Effects?", "What Do We Know About the Use of Botulinum
Toxin in the Lower Extremity in Children with Cerebral Palsy?", "What
Do We Know about the Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Upper Extremity?",
"Clinical Implications: What We Know..." and "What We Don't Know...".
References included.
CanChild
Centre for Childhood Disability Research
McMaster University, Bldg T-16, Room 126
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton ON L8S 4K1 CANADA
Phone: (905) 525-9140 Ext. 27850
Email: canchild@fhs.mcmaster.ca
Allergan
Botox Website
The makers of Botox provide extensive information for consumers and
health care professionals.
Allergan, Inc.
2525 Dupont Drive
Irvine, CA 92715
Allergan Botox Information Line: 1-800-668-6424 ext. 2003
Reimbursement
Information Line for Botox injection: 1-888-332-2122. (Ontario)
United
Cerebral Palsy Research Fact Sheet
A short document providing an introduction to Botox therapy.
Botox
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about Botox therapy.
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Conductive
Education
Conductive Education is a system of special education
developed by Dr. Andras Peto in Hungary in 1945. Its aim is to teach
children and adults with motor disorders how to function independently.
This system deals with the emotional and cognitive skills, while developing
motor skills and functions.
Resources:
Ability
Camp Centre for Conductive Education
Provides the aims of conductive education and schedules of a typical
day. Included are abstracts on articles including a brief on a research
article from McMaster University on Conductive Education.
RR 8
Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0
Canada
1-800-442-6992
International
Peto Institute and Conductor's College, Budapest
This link provides information on Conductive Education including assessments
and services, as well as, information about the training College and
the International Peto Andras Foundation.
The
National Institute of Conductive Education
Offers in depth information on Conductive Education therapy and the
services provided at this centre.
Cannon Hill House
Russel Road
Birmingham B13 8RD
England
(+44) (0) 121 4491569
Yahoo's
Links to Conductive Education Centre's World-Wide
Provides a list of Centres offering Conductive Education world-wide.
Constraint-Induced
Movement Therapy
A therapy used most often for stroke patients by restraining
the unaffected limb and forcing the patient to use the affected limb.
This therapy is thought to re-train the brain to use the affected
limb.
Resources:
University
of Alabama at Birmingham information article
A website about a research project being conducted on Constraint-Induced
Movement Therapy that provides general information on CIMT as well
as current research and other related links.
A
New Family of Techniques with Broad Application to Physical Rehabilitation--A
Clinical Review
A journal article taken from the Journal of Rehabitlitation and Research
Development on a clinical research project working with CIMT.
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Dysphagia
Dysphagia is defined as difficulty or discomfort in
swallowing. It affects people of all ages but particularly the elderly.
It is believed that as many as one third of the patients in acute
care and two thirds of patient in long-term care suffer from dysphagia.
It can affect people in varying degrees, from mild discomfort, to
a complete inability to swallow.
It is often taken for granted that the ability to swallow is a physiological
function essential to the maintenance of life. In addition to nourishing
the body, swallowing provides pleasure and forms a key part of one
of the most important aspects of social life: eating.
Resources:
Dysphagia
Resource Center
Links to an abundance of web site that contain information regarding
swallowing and swallowing disorders.
Dysphagia
Diet Web Site
This page has been created for the sharing of information by professionals
concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dysphagia.
Dysphagiaonline
This website has been created to provide patients and professionals
who have an interest in dysphagia with 'one-stop-shop' access to patient,
professional and product information on dysphagia.
Dysphagia
Institute
The MCW Dysphagia Institute at Froedtert Hospital is a multi-disciplinary
team committed to the diagnosis, research and treatment of patients
with swallowing disorders.
Dolphin
Assisted Therapy
Dolphin Assisted Therapy is a recreational program in
an atmosphere that may improve the emotional and physical experience
of the participant and their family. Many programs feature educational,
recreational, and motivational activities with the dolphins that compliment
and reinforce therapies or other procedures used in more traditional
helping approaches.
Resources:
Human
Dolphin Therapy
This organization's website features a thourough explanation of Dolphin
Assisted Therapy including its history, photos, and descriptions of
programs offered in Florida.
Island
Dolphin Care Inc.
This Florida based organization provides a description of the therapy,
their organization's history, programs offered, and a children's page
for learning facts about dolphins.
Euro-Peds
The first and only physical therapy program of its kind
in the U.S., Euro-Peds uses intensive therapy techniques that were
pioneered at the Euromed Rehabilitation Center in Mielno, Poland.
The program was launched at North Oakland Medical Centers in October
1999. It was a joint effort of the NOMC Foundation and a hospital
administrator, JoAnn DiGiovanni.
Resources:
NORTH OAKLAND MEDICAL CENTERS
EURO-PEDS
SEMINOLE BUILDING
461 W. HURON ST., SUITE 406
PONTIAC, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 857-6776
Toll Free:1 (888) 875-NOMC(6662)
Fax: (248) 857-7102
http://www.europeds.org/
Email: europeds@nomc.org
Equestrian
Therapy (Hippotherapy)
Equestrian therapy offers a person with a disability
a means of physical activity that through the swinging, repetitive
motion of the horse improves balance, coordination, strength, and
muscle tone, while gently mobilizing the joints. This improved neuromotor
function and sensory processing can then be generalized to a wide
range of activities outside of treatment.
Resources:
North
American Riding for the Handicapped Association
Information provided on this site includes published articles about
Equestrian Therapy, information on the association, and a map of affiliated
riding centres in North America.
Community
Association for Riding for the Disabled
This Toronto-based organization provides a description of Equestrian
Therapy and the organization, as well as information about available
classes and upcoming events.
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Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy
A technique involving the placement of a person into
a pressurized chamber filled with 100% pure pressurized oxygen. The
individual then breathes the oxygen taking regular breaths. The concept
behind the use of HBO when applied to children with cerebral palsy,
is that the oxygen will stimulate the return of neurological functioning
in injured brain cells that were previously thought to have died.
Little medical research has been conducted on the use
of HBO therapy on children with cerebral palsy. Most of the current
reports have been based on parental observation and observations from
selected medical professionals. There are risks and there are various
information resources. See below.
Resources:
Keeping Current In... Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: "Hot or Not"
Informative article written by three medical professionals specializing
in the field of cerebral palsy.
CanChild
for Childhood Disability Research
McMaster University, Bldg T-16, Room 126
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 CANADA
Phone: (905) 525-9140 Ext. 27850
Email: canchild@fhs.mcmaster.ca
The
Hyperbaric Oxygen Trust
An organization in the UK that uses HBO as a rehabilitative therapy
for people with cerebral palsy. This site offers information on "Why
HBO"; case studies and the services they provide.
Ryton House, Primrose Lane,
Forest Row, East Sussex,
RH18 5LT
England
(+44) (0) 1342 823127
Undersea
and Hyperbaric Medical Society
Provides a definition of HBO, approved indications and research. Cerebral
Palsy is not included as an approved indication for HBO.
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Ilizarov
Apparatus
Developed in 1951 by Dr. Ilizarov, a Soviet doctor,
the Ilizarov apparatus is comprised of two metal rings that encircle
the leg or arm, wires that secure the rings to the bone, and metal
rods that extend between the rings. The rods are lengthened like a
telescope to lengthen or straighten the leg or arm. A surgical operation
is required to apply the frame.
Resources:
Wheeless'
Textbook of Orthopaedics
A brief description of Ilizarov Technique, including its uses, fixture
characteristics, and postoperative care. Site includes some photographs.
Vardaan
Hospital and Research Centre, India
This site provides an in depth look at the Ilizarov Technique. Photographs
appearing on this site look somewhat outdated.
Centre
for Ilizarov Techniques, India
A very thorough website dedicated soley to the Ilizarov Technique.
Site includes many before and after photographs.
Intrathecal
Baclofen (ITB)
Baclofen is a medication that may be used to decrease
spasticity associated with CP. If undesirable effects are caused by
taking it orally, it may be recommended to have smaller doses of the
medication delivered directly through a catheter into the area around
the spinal cord (intrathecal space). Surgery is required to place
the catheter and the puck-size baclofen pump under the skin of the
abdomen. The pump can then be refilled and the dosage adjusted without
surgery. Intrathecal Baclofen is also used to control spasticity in
people with Parkinsons Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
Resources:
Miller-Dwan
Medical Center, Minnesota
This centre was part of the original Baclofen pump FDA study protocol.
The site provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding
Intrathecal Baclofen and other procedures (in alphabetical order).
The
Center for Functional Restoration, The Hyman-Newman Institute for
Neurology and Neurosurgery.
This site provides information on candidate selection, the surgery,
the maintenance, complications and results of ITB.
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Medical
Glossary
Canadian
Health Network
www.canadian-health-network.ca
The Canadian Health Network is brought to you by the Public Health
Agency of Canada and major health organizations across Canada. It
is a national, non-profit, web-based health information service. CHN's
goal is to help Canadians find the information their looking for on
how to stay healthy and prevent disease. CHN does this through a unique
collaboration - one of the most dynamic and comprehensive networks
anywhere in the world. This network of health information providers
includes the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and national
and provincial/territorial non-profit organizations, as well as universities,
hospitals, libraries and community organizations.There are three different
ways to search CHN for health information choose the option that suits
you: (1) a Guided Search (2) A-Z Subject Index (3) a Keyword Search.
Click Search at the top of their web page to find these three options.
Neurodevelopmental
Therapy (Bobath)
The aim of NDT/Bobath approach is through specialised
techniques of handling, to give children with cerebral palsy the experience
of a greater variety of co-ordinated movement patterns in order to
promote active, efficient, automatic movements during functional activity.
There is an emphasis on therapeutic handling which focuses on making
desired movements more possible, while preventing undesired movements.
Resources:
Australian
Bobath Neurodevelopmental Therapy Association Inc.
A general overview of NDT/Bobath Method, how it works and how to find
a therapist (in Australia) is provided at this site.
Bobath
Centre
This web site informs parents, carers and patients of available treatment
facilities, professional therapists and paediatricians of training
courses, and serves as an information source for cerebral palsy and
acquired neurological conditions.
Phenol
Block
Neural block means the application of chemical agents
to a nerve to impair the conduction along the nerve. Phenol nerve
block can be used for the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsied
children.
Resources:
Basic
Concept of Phenol Block. (no need to download
the Chinese Text Display as prompted)
The technique is not new. Clinically the treatment appears effective
in decreasing spasticity. Recent popularity of Botulinum toxin leads
to a recurrence of the interests on the use of nerve block. It has
been reported to be safe and useful in treating children with cerebral
palsy. It probably could be considered as one of the useful treatment
options of spasticity. It is also a very economic treatment.
Pulsed
Electromagnetic Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy involves intermittent
bursts of safe magnetic waves which are believed to have the unique
property of causing the development of electric currents in damaged
nerve tissues. This electric current stimulates the nerves to increase
their metabolism and regrow their branching connections.
Resources:
The
Strokedoctor
The brief description at this site provides readers information about
the treament and services offered at the American clinic.
Bharathi
Clinic
This web site provides descriptions of the benefits
of Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy for a variety of conditions - including
cerebral palsy.
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Recreational
Therapy
The primary purposes of Recreational Therapy are to
restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning
and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness
or disability. It also works to provide recreation resources and opportunities
in order to improve health and well-being.
Resources:
The
Recreational Therapy Home Page
This site provides links to anything anyone may want to know about
Recreational Therapy.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a non-invasive method of stimulating
reflexes in the hands, feet and ears, through touch. A reflexology
treatment assists in relaxation, reduction of pain and improved circulation
throughout their entire body. Reflexology should not be confused with
massage.
Resources:
International
Institute of Reflexology
Ontario
College of Reflexoloy
Both websites provide a history and description of reflexology, information
about workshops and available publishings.
Rolfing
(Myofascial Release/Structural Integration)
Rolfing or Rolf therapy is the manipulation of deep
tissue massage of the body's connective tissue and muscles, in order
to realign and balance the body's structure. This leads to improved
posture, function, and general physical and emotional health. Rolfing
creates a more efficient use of the muscles, allows the body to conserve
energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement.
Resources:
Rolf
Institute
This site provides a history of Rolfing, training courses and related
articles.
Selective
Dorsal Rhizotomy
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy is an option for selected
patients with spastic CP. SDR involves sectioning (cutting) of some
of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the
spinal cord. This procedure reduces messages from the muscle, resulting
in a better balance of activities of nerve cells in the spinal cord,
and therefore reduces spasticity.
Resources:
Centre
for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity
Thourough information on Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy including the
procedure, complications, patient selection and post-operative care.
Stem
Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy presents the potential promise for
re-wiring the defective nervous system. The technology is provocative
and promising, but the future is far from certain. Nevertheless, the
science that is unfolding about neural development is exciting in
its potential implications.
Resources:
Healing-Arts
Comprehensive site available for the discussion of medical and physical
therapies for the treatment of brain-injured children. Along with
the Stem Cell Therapy information, there is a wealth of information
on cerebral palsy and other therapy options.
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TAMO
Therapy
TAMO is a new therapy approach to neurologic and orthopedic
movement disorders. In agreement with dynamic principles, TAMO focuses
on the mutual interaction between those forces that determine the
displayed movement pattern.
Resources:
Tscharnuter
Akademie for Movement Organization (TAMO)
Facts about this new therapy can be found at this site, as well as
its history, research abstracts and courses offered.
Threshold
Electrical Stimulation
Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES) is a low intensity,long
duration overnight electrical stimulation program that has shown promising
results for children and adults with disuse muscle atrophy. The treatment
involves applying surface electrodes to the skin overlying the atrophied
muscles to be stimulated. The intensity of the stimulation does not
cause a muscle contraction but stimulates muscle growth.
Resources:
TES
Besides the facts in volved with TES, this site provides person stories
from people who have had the procedure.
Technology
Assisted Self Care Network (TASC)
The indepth site describes TES, the procedure, its benefits and candidate
selection.
Yoga
The practice of yoga followed by deep relaxation can
help to significantly reduce a person's high muscle tone. As well,
yoga stretches and realigns the spine providing greater range of movement
and coordination.
Resources:
Yoga
for the Special Child
This site is intended for children's practice of yoga. It provides
information on the benefits of yoga for a child with CP, programs
available, publications and related links.
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