October 6 is World Cerebral Palsy (CP) Day and the Lifepro team wanted to bring some awareness to support those living with CP and everyone that cares for and supports them. It is estimated 17 million people around the globe are living with cerebral palsy (CP). Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with CP*
CP is a brain disorder that can affect a person’s movements and ability to maintain balance and posture. Brain damage before, during or after birth may also cause cerebral palsy. It is a complicated group of disorders, each with various types and many signs and symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
There as 4 general types of CP:
Monoplegia – Affects just one limb usually the arm
Hemiplegia – Affects the side of the body, arm leg and trunk
Diplegia – Affects symmetrical body parts (both legs or arms)
Quadriplegia – Affects all four limbs and trunk CP is the most common physical disability in childhood and is a permanent disability affecting movement. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement. CP is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure.
- 1 in 4 children with CP cannot talk
- 1 in 4 cannot walk
- 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
- 1 in 4 have epilepsy.1
Children and adults with cerebral palsy often need lifelong support to help manage day to day tasks and living. Although there is no known cure for CP, there are several treatments and medications that can help manage symptoms and improve function. Talk to your doctor or therapist for options best suited for your needs.
Physical therapies also play a critical role in managing this condition and can help improve symptoms. Muscle training and exercises can help improve strength, balance, flexibility, motor development and mobility. Consider working with a physical therapist or even a personal trainer to help target strength with a good routine you can perform at home to improve symptoms.
Vibration plates have been shown to be a great tool for relaxing tension, building strength, bone density and improving balance and flexibility. From a 2013 study “Vibration therapy may decrease spasticity and improve motor performance in children with CP.”2
Using a massage gun can be an ideal way to help with spasticity, a common symptom associated with CP. Parents with young children affected by CP often spend a lot of time trying to release tension in the hamstrings just to get a good night's sleep. Instead of manual stretching a massage gun can dramatically reduce the amount of time to get similar effects and is much less taxing of the parents or caregiver.
Any of these tools are also great for our parents, therapists and caregivers that can develop their own aches and pains. They are affordable options that can benefit a variety of users, are a great compliment to other modalities and can help enhance your overall quality of life.
Sources:
- World CP Day. https://worldcpday.org/
- Katusic, Ana et al. “The effect of vibration therapy on spasticity and motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.” NeuroRehabilitation vol. 32,1 (2013): 1-8. doi:10.3233/NRE-130817
Author
Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.
They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.