Massage
Considerations for Cerebral Palsy: Fact Sheet
Cerebral
Palsy: CP is a congenital, central nervous system
disorder affecting motor skills, muscle tone, and movement.
There
are four main types of CP:
v Spastic: Too much muscle tone and
tightness results in movements that are stiff and awkward. This often manifests
in awkward leg and arm movements and this type of CP is present in 50-75% of
all cases.
v Ataxic: This type of CP involves poor
control of coordination, and affects depth perception, as well as balance. This
type of CP occurs in 5-10% of CP sufferers.
v Dyskinetic
or Athetoid: This
type of CP is characterized by low muscle tone often making it difficult for CP
clients to sit up straight or walk. Also present are slow, uncontrolled
movements. This occurs in 10-20% of CP cases.
v Mixed: This
is a combination of all of the above types of CP. The result is over-tight
muscles in some areas and lack of tone in other areas which leads to stiffness
coupled with uncontrolled movement.
Massage
Modality Considerations:
v Gentle massage
modalities have proven beneficial for all levels of CP. Even if there are no
measurable signs of physical improvement, massage reduces stress levels for
sufferers of CP.
v Rolfing has shown promise in
increasing the mobility of CP clients with mild to moderate cases, though
severe cases WILL NOT benefit from this, and it may make the symptoms worse for
the client.
v Reikisage gives
CP clients the benefit of healing energy work and while this is still being
explored, the initial results show great promise in increasing control,
flexibility, and decreasing stress.
v Craniosacral
therapy is a common modality used for CP clients that often creates noticeable,
measurable results in the client. It has
proven to be the most successful modality thus far for CP clients.
v Aromatherapy
should not be overlooked as a way to enhance a session for a CP client as it
has the ability to not only relax the client, but to also combat headaches and similar
complaints that may be brought on by the state of their muscles.
Considerations
for Client Comfort:
v Be
aware of how you are addressing your client. Speak respectfully to your client
and be careful not to ignore them should a caregiver be present.
v Be
aware of how you are touching your client. Are you handling them or are you
touching them with care?
v A CP
client may have respiratory issues, so be prepared to move them and readjust
bolsters however often as is necessary.
v Your
client may be wheelchair bound, and this requires some flexibility on the
therapist’s part to deliver a healing session.
v Some
people with CP do not have the ability to verbally communicate well or at all
in some instances. This is the time for a system to be mutually created between
you and the client that accurately allows you both to communicate with each
other through the session.
v DO NOT
attempt strenuous range of motion techniques. In CP the body structure is
compromised and broken bones could result.
Other
Considerations
v In
severe cases, gain written consent from the client’s physician clearing them
for massage.
v Make
yourself aware of other health professionals that your client may be working
with such as chiropractors or physical therapists. Obtain consent to contact
them and together create a master plan that best benefits the client’s needs.
Additional
Resources:
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