Pediatric Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
in Bentonville, AR
Children with cerebral palsy often encounter obstacles that make everyday activities like crawling, walking, or even gripping objects incredibly difficult. Fortunately, pediatric therapy offers evidence-based treatments that can give your child more control of their movements for increased independence and confidence.
At No Limits Pediatric Therapy, our physical therapists empower children with cerebral palsy to build strength, improve mobility, and develop essential life skills. Our individualized care plans are designed to make each milestone more achievable, so your child can gain confidence and independence every step of the way.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and muscle tone. It occurs due to damage to the brain either before, during, or after birth.
While it impacts physical abilities in various ways, each child with cerebral palsy experiences it uniquely. The condition may be mild, causing minor coordination difficulties, or more severe, affecting many aspects of motor function.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can be broken down into three main types:
- Spastic, which causes to muscle spasms and tightness
- Dyskinetic, which affects muscle control and coordination
- Mixed, which causes a combination of spastic and dyskinetic symptoms
Subtypes of Cerebral Palsy
Additionally, cerebral palsy can be broken down into five different subtypes depending on which part of the body is affected by these challenges:
- Monoplegic, where only one limb is affected
- Quadriplegic, where all four limbs are affected
- Diplegic, where only the arms are affected
- Paraplegic, where only the legs are affected
- Hemiplegic, where either the left or right side of the body is affected
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Some of the most common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during delivery
- Infections in the brain or spinal cord
- Genetic causes that affect fetal development
- Severe head injury
- Premature birth
- Giving birth to multiple babies (twins, triplets, etc.)
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Children with cerebral palsy may show different signs based on how the condition affects their muscles and movement. Some common symptoms include:
- Difficulty with balance or walking
- Stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes
- Delays in reaching motor milestones (e.g., sitting, crawling)
- Involuntary movements or tremors
- Weakness in one or more limbs
Difficulty with precise movements (e.g., picking up objects)
How Physical Therapy Helps Children with Cerebral Palsy
At No Limits Pediatric Therapy, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter the challenges they’re facing. Our physical therapists support children with cerebral palsy with a variety of strategies, including exercises, stretches, and adaptive tools to help them move their bodies freely.
Our approach focuses on your child’s strengths while helping them overcome their difficulties. We incorporate play-based, proven techniques to make therapy engaging and enjoyable so your child can develop the skills they need to maximize their independence for a future with no limits.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experts
Want to know if your child could benefit from physical therapy at No Limits? We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find out how we can help!
During this consultation, we’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on the best next steps for your child’s development. Call (479) 250-9838 to schedule your consultation today!
