When your child needs a particular medication, therapy, treatment, or assistive device, your request to an insurance company, government agency or other funding source can sometimes be denied. Oftentimes they will require a letter of medical necessity, which is typically provided by your physician or therapist. Letters of medical necessity are critical to getting coverage... Read More

When we picture someone lying on a chiropractor’s table for an adjustment, it’s most likely an adult. After all, neck pain, back pain, spinal discomfort, and the struggle to sit or stand is usually a result of the wear and tear of our joints and bones over time. But here in the cerebral palsy community,... Read More

Each individual diagnosed with cerebral palsy may face special challenges, and no one-size-fits-all plan for treatment exists. Many individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) experience significant physical setbacks. As a result, physical therapy for cerebral palsy is often a core element of treatment. Your child’s team of healthcare professionals can work with you to determine... Read More

Cerebral palsy can result if a baby’s cerebral motor cortex does not develop normally during fetal growth, or if the child experiences a brain injury before, during, or after birth. Though this brain damage cannot be repaired, various treatment options can sometimes improve a child’s capability and prognosis. Generally speaking, the earlier treatment begins, the... Read More

When you’re trying to enhance the mobility and quality of life for your child with cerebral palsy, it can be difficult to stay informed of the latest innovations in cerebral palsy treatments and therapies. Cerebral palsy researchers have made some huge advancements in recent years, though, giving us hope for even more scientific breakthroughs in... Read More

The emotional distress that accompanies a birth injury is incomparable. When a child is injured during birth, what should have been the most exciting day of the parents’ life instead likely resulted in feelings of fear, frustration, and sadness. It may seem like a dark future ahead, as parents struggle to readjust their plans and... Read More

Spastic movements and muscle stiffness are common symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP). Children living with CP often struggle with unpredictable movements, sometimes even experiencing pain with them. While there are several different treatment options available for CP, there is no cure for these muscle difficulties. Botox, scientifically known as botulinum toxin A, offers a temporary... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor The surgical procedure known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) has gained considerable public attention within the cerebral palsy community. It is a neurosurgical procedure performed with the goal of improving motor function by decreasing spasticity in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Numerous news articles have published stories... Read More

By John Lehman Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) refers to a group of treatments that make use of electrical current to stimulate nerve endings, with the aim of reverting damage to the patient’s nervous system. Children suffering from cerebral palsy often have issues with movement and muscle spasticity, and EMS has proven to be effective at... Read More

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is an irreversible neurosurgery performed on the lower spinal cord to treat spasticity, especially in the lower limbs. A neurosurgeon identifies nerve rootlets in the spinal cord that are sending abnormal messages and cuts them. Read More