Cerebral palsy is one of the most common physical disabilities in childhood. It is a life long neurological disorder that affects the physical ability to move. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movement during pregnancy or just after birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) 1 in every 323 children have been identified with cerebral palsy. Every case of cerebral palsy affects the person differently whether it affects muscle control, posture and balance, muscle coordination, body movement, muscle tone, or reflexes. The disease also has many severities and variations. There are four different kinds of cerebral palsy; Spastic, Dyskinetic, Ataxic, and Mixed, but the most …show more content…
If children with cerebral palsy are not introduced to normal postural and movement components, it is likely that asymmetries, deformities, and postural deviations may occur. Children with cerebral palsy often require years of therapeutic activities, therefore the possibility of losing the child’s interest and enthusiasm is extreme (Bertoti, 1988). In order to address this issue, hippotherapy is one of the many therapeutic activities that have been introduced to those with disabilities. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement in various manners whether it is based around an occupational, speech, or physical treatment (PATH International). Hippotherapy is usually administered with the rider sitting on the horse in different positions on a soft pad instead of a saddle. The soft pad allows the horses walking movements to be conveyed through the rider leading to a more intense stimulation of the muscles. A trained instructor leads the horse around the arena at a walking pace with two side walkers who are there to assist the patient in safety. An occupational therapist or physical therapist will ask the patient to perform certain tasks or movements that will help stimulate different muscles to decrease abnormal muscle tones and increase general movement. When riding a horse one …show more content…
Hippotherapy is a form of sports therapy, investigating the affects of hippotherapy on growth and motor function may result in understanding and treating cerebral palsy in a richer way. Cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe, but the disease creates many challenges for those living with the disorder no matter the severity. Therefore continuing the worlds understanding of the disease may develop new innovative therapies. There are no previous literature articles that have found which mounted positions practiced in sessions stimulate the muscles pertaining to balance and posture. By determining the muscles stimulated by the specific positions, therapists would have the ability to prescribe unique regimens for clients in order to strengthen those target muscles leading to improved posture and balance. On another note there are very few studies that have been conducted on hippotherapy as another therapy outside of basic therapy for children with other disorders besides cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and behavioral disorders. Further research on different disorders may shine more light on the hippotherapy and therapeutic riding therapies. With this information, children may be able to have their sufferings minimized or at least dulled leading them to a happier and easier
Hippotherapy, a specialized form of equine therapy, “is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy literally means ‘treatment with the help of the horse’ from the Greek word, "hippos" meaning horse” (“Hippotherapy.”). Equine therapy is an all-encompassing type of therapy that includes riding horses, learning about the horse as a creature, the physical activity involved in horseback riding, and much more. Hippotherapy also requires a licensed, specially-trained therapist to teach and oversee lessons because of the hands-on nature of this method while therapeutic riding only requires a professional horseback-riding instructor, typically with some background in physical or occupational therapy Hippotherapy riders usually have more severe deficits and, therefore, hippotherapy is a little bit more intense than physical therapy. Both hippotherapy and therapeutic riding can utilize the unique movement of a horse to “assist in meeting therapy goals.” The horse’s gait mimics that of a human, and for that reason, horses can aid in the treatment of patients with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and the rehabilitation of injured people such as
Sankar, C; Mandkur, N. (2005). Cerebral Palsy-Definition, Classification, Etiology and Early Diagnosis. Symposium on Developmental and Behavioural Disorders. 72 (10), 865-868.
As of 2011, it has been reported that there are 650 million disabled people in the world (“Disabilities”). Though this number is high, it is greatly underestimated because disabled people are commonly isolated and stigmatized by their community (“Disabilities”). After hearing of this extremely high number of disabled people, I then ultimately decided I would write my research paper on ways to help the disabled. Therapeutic riding has been actively helping individuals with disabilities for decades, and can benefit these unfortunate people physically, mentally, and emotionally. “Therapeutic riding, which originated in Europe, has been actively helping individuals with disabilities since the 1950's” (Shepard). Through equine-orientated activities, therapeutic riding is used to contribute to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well being of people with emotional issues and disabilities (Shepard). I was astonished on how many ways therapeutic riding can benefit disabled people.
There are many disabilities that affect the Musculoskeletal System. One disability is Spina Bifida, which is a series of spinal cord defects caused by abnormal fetal development. We don’t know all the causes of spina bifida. Genetics and the environment may play a role in causing spina bifida. Spina bifida can range from mild to extreme. Some people may have little to no disability while others people may be limited in the way they move. Some people may even be paralyzed or unable to walk or move parts of their body. Although, most people affected by spina bifida lead full and productive lives. There are three types which include myelomeningocele, occulta, and meningocele. Depending on the classification there will be different characteristics and symptoms. It may be treated in different setting, with different potential treatment ideas.
Many people have heard the term cerebral palsy and may have a personal perception about the appearance and effects of this
For decades, Scientists have contemplated the idea of using horses for the personal gain of children and adults with needs such as autism, heart conditions, anxiety, stress, and other disorders that have yet to be curable. Horses such as Chester, a twenty year old gelding has encouraged more young riders who face difficulties such as social skills, behavior skills, and those who are physically indisposed. The phrase confidence is key, becomes important when people of all ages interact with a horse. Learning confidence may not be as easy as it sounds but is a necessary step to bond with a horse; without it, there can be no trust and most importantly, no bond between the equine and its rider.
Celebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects thousands of infants each year. Though not contagious it does seem to be a mild epidemic. The condition is a paralysis of the brain, causing limited movement, speaking ability, or muscle control for the afflicted child. In most cases the brain is unable to relay the information required for movement. A permanent brain injury that occurs before, during or shortly after birth.
Riding encourages a child to work with their hands, exercise, and connect with horses and people of all ages, gain confidence, and learn new skills. Courtnee Niggel, an instructor summarizes how “A six year old child was told she will never walk again but after years of equine therapy she is now able to walk with a walker or by holding on to the sides of walls” (Niggel 1). Equine Therapy leaves a child with amazing results and changes their life drastically all the way from growing social skills to helping with motor skills, even to
The neurological disorder is generally diagnosed in children aged between six and twelve years, the condition affecting boys three times more often than girls (Hamilton, 2002; Gardner, 2008). Despite the fact that DCD affects roughly 6.4 percent of children, few individuals are familiar with the condition (Hamilton, 2002). In fact, a study by Kirby, Davies, & Bryant (2005) revealed that only 54.3% of teachers and 26.7% of general practitioners could accurately define DCD (p. 124). In response, the condition will be briefly outlined here.
Most child dream of being superheroes. But Christine Enockson wanted to be a real world superhero, a teacher. Living in a small Wisconsin town, it was rare for there to be a child with special needs. Once Christine, or Chris as many people call her, discovered how school was different for these children, she passionately pursued a career to help those children. This passion led her to decide to be a foster parent. Throughout her life, Chris has made a difference in the lives of many children, including her own. Even though Chris has faced many hardships in her life, she continues to stay positive because of her faith. Chris’s help with special needs children and foster care have helped her faith cultivate and she is currently inspiring others
Neurodevelopmental theory (NDT) informs clinical reasoning through the concepts of motor control, brain plasticity, motor learning and an understanding of functional human movement (Meadows & Williams, 2013). By identifying atypical movement patterns the therapist is able to select interventions, which will facilitate Sue in developing greater symmetry in her body and correct movement patterns. (Barthel, 2009; Feaver & Ezekiel, 2011). This influences the practice of interventions in NDT by applying moment-to-moment observations of Sue throughout treatment, in order to gage her reactions and adjusting interventions accordingly (Barthel, 2009). Barthel (2009) and Case-smith, Law, Missiuna, Pollock and Stewart (2010), defines NDT as a hand’s on approach to intervention, focusing on physically assisting Sue in the development of active and passive movement using key points of control during activities. This is used to facilitate Sue to engage in more normal movement patterns
Physical therapy is always full of surprises, from new advancements in technology to new and improved therapeutic techniques. Although there are fun games and new technology that physical therapists can do with patients, the main struggle for physical therapists is to motivate their patients to complete their therapy exercises both in the clinic and in the outside world. This problem is very frustrating because the doctors who work at the clinic constantly push patients to complete their therapy so that they can heal; however, when patients are stubborn and reluctant to their treatment, yet constantly complain of pain, doctors must spend more time convincing them to do the therapy rather than completing the therapy itself.
Ankle foot orthoses (AFO’s) and foot orthoses have been used frequently to help children with Cerebral Palsy gait patterns. The use of ankle foot orthoses and foot orthoses help improve alignment of the foot, help with balance, and prevent deformity (331). When wearing ankle foot orthroses, it helps prevent toe walking, decreases gastrocnemius activity, and prevents equinus because it blocks plantar flexion past ninety degrees (331). There are three case studies of three children with Cerebral palsy. In these case studies it explains how the children compensate when they are not able to perform a heel rise because of a blocked forefoot rocker and blocking motions of the digits.
R.M. Lehman & G.L. McCormack, 2001. Neurogenic and Myopathic Dysfunction pp. 802-803. In L. Pedretti and M Early Occupational Therapy Skills for Physical Dysfunction 5th ED St Louis MO: Mosby
Physiotherapy can be described as an allied healthcare profession which aims to help restore movement and function after injury, illness or disability through the use of manual therapy, movement, exercise and education (Charter...