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Spasticity and Bone Deformation: Should you be looking out for it?  

Many people are unfamiliar with the term’s spasticity and bone deformation. These are conditions that physical therapists are highly familiar with and are constantly on the lookout for in the patients they see every day. For the individual or parents, symptoms may not seem serious when they begin to appear, but these symptoms are very painful, disabling, disfiguring, and can be permanent unless it is addressed and corrected. Physical therapists know how important it is to recognize the signs of spasticity and bone deformation so steps can be taken to lessen the risk for bone deformation and/or spasticity but oftentimes, by the time a physical therapist sees a patient it may be too late to address the problem. That’s why it is important that others are aware of the signs and symptoms for spasticity and bone deformation so that they can take simple steps to correct the issue. 

What is Spasticity?

Spasticity is a condition that includes abnormal muscle tone and/or stiffness in a child or adult. This can often take the form of a muscle(s) feeling very tight and/or appearing rigid so that the limb does not look or move as it typically would. This muscle tightness can lead to muscle spasms or difficulty controlling movements and can interfere with movement, speech, and can be attributed to discomfort or pain. Parents or individuals who are concerned they or their child may be experiencing spasticity can take these actions to check:  

  • Look for jerky or involuntary movements. 
  • Check if their muscles feel harder than usual and if there is resistance when you move their limbs.  
  • Watch for abnormal postures or positioning of limbs and/or joints. 
  • Look for clonus (an abnormal muscle reflex response that involves involuntary and rhythmic muscle contractions) by stretching their limb and watching for rhythmic movements. 
  • Check for exaggerated reflexes. Their muscles may twitch or contract in response to certain stimuli and/or minor stimuli.   

Keep in mind that spasticity has a range of severity and someone with spasticity may not have all of these symptoms.  

What Causes Spasticity?

Many people have not and will not have to worry about spasticity. But those with certain conditions may be more at risk of suffering side effects that cause spasticity. In these individuals “normal”, voluntary movements require communication between the brain and corresponding muscles. In individuals with spasticity, that communication line is compromised and not functioning correctly. This malfunction in communication results in abnormal muscle tone, spasms, deformation, and/or rigidity. These can occur at varying levels of severity due to various conditions or injuries such as:  

  • Traumatic Brain Injury 
  • Stroke 
  • Multiple Sclerosis 
  • Cerebral Palsy 
  • Spinal Cord Injury 
  • Neurodegenerative Disorders 
  • Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia 
  • Metabolic Diseases 

Individuals with these conditions are much more likely to encounter symptoms of spasticity.  

What are the Dangers of Spasticity

Spasticity symptoms can be very painful, disabling, and disfiguring. These complications can make it very difficult to impossible for an individual to execute basic everyday tasks independently and as such, is often debilitating. If left unaddressed, spasticity can lead to permanent complications that include pain, frozen joints, and bone deformation. Several patients who never address symptoms may require multiple surgeries in order to reverse the damage done to their muscles, bones, and joints. For others, the damage done may be permanent. This is why it is important for individuals to recognize symptoms before it is too late to manage.  

How To Address and Lessen the Risk for Bone Deformation and Spasticity  

While complications of spasticity are very serious, if caught early enough simple exercises and stretches can help reduce spasticity and manage the long-term impact of. If you notice spasticity in yourself or a loved one, try these stretches and exercises:  

  •  Stretching your calf on an incline board 
  • Aquatic exercises 
  • Cycling or treadmill 
  • Wall push-ups 

If you are noticing signs of spasticity, it is important to contact your doctor or physical therapist in addition to the steps you can take at home. Professionals will be able to assess the symptoms, severity, and the best steps to take to address the concerns.  

Conclusion 

Spasticity and bone deformation can have significant implications for individuals’ quality of life if left unaddressed. By familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms associated with spasticity, individuals and their loved ones can take proactive steps to seek early intervention. Through a combination of exercises, professional guidance, and timely medical care, the impact of spasticity and bone deformation can be effectively managed, improving overall well-being and preventing long-term complications. 

Physical Therapy at The Oxford Center

The Oxford Center is now offering a unique, insurance-covered approach to physical therapy for children and adults. These sessions focus on retraining the body and brain from a neurological standpoint compared to the traditional muscular approach, making your recovery long-lasting and improving your quality of life from start to finish.

Patients are trained to use muscles correctly, rather than compensating for muscle groups that are not functioning properly. Our physical therapy program seeks to address the root problem and help patients recover and improve function in their body.

Each patient is paired, one-to-one, with a Doctor of Physical Therapy or a Physical Therapy Assistant. Sessions work to eliminate pain, retrain the body, and recover from illnesses, injuries, or trauma.

TOC Talks Episode 4: “How INTENSE is your Therapy?!”

March is Cerebral Palsy month! In this week of TOC Talks, Andrew sits down with Alicia Hisey, a Doctor of Physical Therapy at The Oxford Center, to talk about Physical Therapy. Together, they dive into Intensive Physical Therapy, TheraSuit therapy, and what exactly these have to do with Cerebral Palsy! We do things just a little differently here at The Oxford Center, so make sure you listen closely to see what that is!

Check It Out!

Want to see more about Gracie’s journey with Cerebral Palsy and Intensive Physical Therapy? Check out her YouTube channel below!

Gracie CP Recovery Journey – YouTube

Check out our episode and don’t forget to subscribe to TOC Talks! We can be found on all your favorite Audio or Podcast platforms as well as video podcasts on our YouTube and Facebook pages! Find us at the links below!

Want to stay connected and up to date on what is happening at The Oxford Center? Make sure to follow our Social Media Pages! If you would like to find our TOC Talks Podcast page, click on the link below.  

TOC Talks | RSS.com

TOC Talks – How INTENSE is your therapy TOC TALKS EP:5 | RSS.com

The TheraSuit Method: A Comprehensive Approach to Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Individuals with Cerebral Palsy often benefit from physical therapy and intensive physical therapy. However, traditional physical therapy may not always be effective enough to meet the complex needs of individuals with Cerebral Palsy. This is where the TheraSuit Method comes in. Developed in the 1990s by a Polish physical therapist named Izabela Koscielny, the TheraSuit Method is a type of physical therapy that uses a specialized suit to provide support, resistance, and feedback to the muscles. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the TheraSuit Method, how it works, and its potential benefits for patients with Cerebral Palsy. 

What is the TheraSuit Method?

The TheraSuit Method is a type of physical therapy that involves the use of a specialized suit, known as the TheraSuit. The suit is designed to support the body and align the joints, while providing resistance and feedback to the muscles. 

During a TheraSuit session, the patient wears the suit and performs exercises and activities under the guidance of a trained therapist. The suit provides support and helps to activate and strengthen the muscles, while the therapist provides feedback and adjusts the exercises to meet the patient’s individual needs. 

The History of the TheraSuit

The TheraSuit was developed in the 1990s by a Polish physical therapist named Izabela Koscielny. Koscielny was working with children with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological conditions and found that traditional physical therapy approaches were not effective enough to meet the complex needs of her patients. 

She began experimenting with a suit made of elastic materials that would provide support and resistance to the body, while also allowing for freedom of movement. Over time, she refined the suit’s design and developed a set of exercises and activities that could be used with it. 

In 2002, Koscielny opened the first TheraSuit clinic in Poland, where she began using the method with her patients. The success of her approach quickly gained attention, and soon therapists around the world began using the TheraSuit method in their own practices. 

Since then, the TheraSuit method has continued to evolve, with new variations of the suit and new exercises and techniques being developed. Today, it is a widely recognized and respected approach to physical therapy for children and adults with neurological conditions. 

How Does it Work?

When a patient wears the TheraSuit, the elastic materials provide a gentle but constant pressure on the body, which helps to align the joints and support the muscles. The suit also provides resistance to movement, which helps to activate and strengthen the muscles. 

During a TheraSuit session, a trained physical therapist guides the patient through a series of exercises and activities that target the patient’s individual needs and goals. The therapist may use various tools and techniques to help the patient achieve the desired movements and positions, such as balance boards, resistance bands, and therapy balls. 

The TheraSuit method is based on the concept of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself in response to new experiences and stimuli. By providing a supportive and stimulating environment for the body, the TheraSuit method aims to promote neuroplasticity and help the patient improve their motor function, balance, coordination, and overall quality of life. 

Overall, the TheraSuit method is a comprehensive approach to physical therapy that combines the use of specialized equipment with targeted exercises and activities to help patients achieve their individual goals and improve their overall function and mobility. 

What are the Benefits?

The TheraSuit Method offers several potential benefits for patients with neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and stroke. These benefits include: 

  1. Improved strength and muscle function: The TheraSuit provides resistance and feedback to the muscles, helping to activate and strengthen them. This can lead to improved muscle tone, coordination, and overall physical function. 
  1. Enhanced balance and stability: By providing support and alignment to the body, the TheraSuit can help patients improve their balance and stability, reducing the risk of falls and other accidents. 
  1. Increased range of motion: The TheraSuit allows for freedom of movement while also providing support and resistance, which can help patients improve their range of motion in various joints and muscles. 
  1. Improved sensory processing: The TheraSuit can help patients improve their sensory processing skills, which can lead to better awareness of their body and surroundings. 
  1. Enhanced cognitive and social skills: By engaging in physical therapy activities in a supportive and stimulating environment, patients may also experience improvements in their cognitive and social skills. 
  1. Improved quality of life: The TheraSuit method aims to improve overall physical function and mobility, which can lead to a better quality of life for patients and their families. 

How Does it Help Cerebral Palsy?

The TheraSuit method is a form of therapy that can help individuals with Cerebral Palsy by promoting proper muscle function and control. The method involves a specialized suit worn by the individual, providing sensory and proprioceptive feedback to the muscles. This helps to improve body awareness, balance, and coordination. 

During TheraSuit therapy, the individual will typically participate in a variety of exercises and activities tailored to their specific needs and goals. This may include exercises to strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance overall movement patterns. By working to address the underlying causes of Cerebral Palsy symptoms, the TheraSuit method can help individuals to achieve greater independence and a higher quality of life. 

The TheraSuit Method at The Oxford Center

The Oxford Center is proud to offer the TheraSuit Method to our clients. Like many centers around the world, The Oxford Center is overjoyed every day by the promise the TheraSuit Method holds. In our center, we have seen children take their first steps and learn to walk using the TheraSuit. Other clients have progressed farther than we could have ever hoped and the TheraSuit continues to help children and adults every day reach their goals when they may have given up hope.  

Interested in learning more about the TheraSuit Method at The Oxford Center? Click the button to learn more and contact us at 248-486-3636.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

Welcome to CP Awareness month! CP stands for Cerebral Palsy, and all of March is dedicated to raising awareness about this condition, so The Oxford Center is going to join in this endeavor. Many of us may have a family member or know someone with Cerebral Palsy, but we might not actually know much about the condition. Thankfully, The Oxford Center is here to help you learn more and raise awareness about this condition!  

What is Cerebral Palsy? 

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, posture, and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or early childhood. At this point, Cerebral Palsy affects roughly 1 in 500 children worldwide, and its severity can vary widely from person to person. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Specifically, some common symptoms include poor muscle control, difficulty with balance and coordination, spasticity or stiffness in the muscles, and tremors or involuntary movements. Other symptoms may include difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning clothes, difficulty with speech and swallowing, and intellectual disabilities. 

Treatment Options

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are several treatment options that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are often recommended to help with muscle strength and mobility, as well as to help with daily activities such as dressing and feeding. Speech therapy can also help with communication and swallowing difficulties.

The Oxford Center 

Just like every person is different, every child has different needs and therapies that will work best for them. Here at The Oxford Center, we offer a number of therapies that can help improve symptoms related to a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. I.e. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy, Intensive Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy, and our Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner. This integrative approach allows every individual with Cerebral palsy to get the therapies they need. No matter what needs you or your child may have, The Oxford Center is here to help!  

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Chambers

Finally, one treatment option that has gained attention in recent years is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT utilizes 100% medical grade vaporized oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure which increases the oxygen in the bloodstream and tissues. The research behind using HBOT for Cerebral Palsy shows that the increased oxygen supply helps to reduce inflammation, promotes the growth of new blood vessels, and increases circulating stem cells, which heals and repairs damaged tissue throughout the body and brain and can improve the symptoms associated with Cerebral Palsy.

Overall, while there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, there are many treatment options available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. It is important for individuals with Cerebral Palsy to work closely with a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, therapists, and specialists, to tailor a treatment plan to their specific needs and goals. 

Intensive Physical Therapy

Intensive Physical Therapy

Intensive Physical Therapy is five days per week for three hours each day. The main goal is to achieve maximum functional improvement. It includes exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Our Physical Therapists will use advanced techniques that have been proven to be effective in improving muscle strength, reducing spasticity, and enhancing the patient’s ability to perform daily activities. Finally, combined with our daily intensive program, Suit Therapy can accelerate the development of new motor skills that strengthen muscles and teach the brain and body how to sit, stand, and walk. 

If you know someone living with Cerebral Palsy, call the Oxford Center to find out how we can help. Call us at 248-486-3636 to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our nurses to learn more about our therapies and how they can help you on your journey.