Cerebral Palsy | Ayurvedic Approach

21/Sep/2022

Ayurvedic Approach Towards Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition in which the nervous system loses control of some or all of the muscles and joints of the body. For example, an individual with (CP) lacks control over voluntary muscle movements and can’t walk, feed themselves or even talk on their own.

This means that if an individual with CP needs to use the toilet, they need to be taken care of by someone else. The person with CP needs care 24 hours a day from someone who can help feed them, bathe them, dress them and more. The word “cerebral” refers to the brain, while “palsy” means paralysis

One of the main causes of cerebral palsy is premature birth, although most babies born prematurely don’t have cerebral palsy. The symptoms of cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe and includes muscle control movement, coordination, and balance issues.

Early signs of CP may include developmental delays such as:

• Rolling Overy
• Sitting up
• Crawling and walking later than usual

According to Ayurveda covering a special care for CP is a critical aspect of holistic medicine. This disease is caused by genetic mutation and it’s not an acute disease (incurable). CP is a disturbance in the nervous system which can lead to a variety of symptoms. It can affect both children and adults. Ayurveda is one of the traditional forms of treatment for cerebral palsy which is completely natural and devoid of any side effects.
At Jeevaniyam, we believe that Ayurvedic system of medicine is directly related to the nervous system and hence have positive effects on CP symptoms.

We follow the Kottakal protocol for CP developed by Dr Dinesh KS, Head of the department of Kaumarabhruthya, Kottakal Ayurveda Medical college. It includes symptomatic management and conservative management. The treatment includes various external and internal herbal therapies, fluid intake, diet etc.

The treatment protocols such the procedure pancha Karma with yoga vasthi in improving physical growth, brain development, and subsiding spasticity in patients. We do specially designed massages with herbs that improves blood circulation, relieves body pain, removes waste products, and improves muscular strength. The most important thing is to get an early diagnosis and get the disease treated on time which will improve the quality of life of the child.

26/Dec/2021

Cerebral Palsy – Role of Ayurveda In Its Management

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a sickness that impacts frame motion, posture and balance. It is also referred to as mind paralysis. It is resulting from abnormal improvement or damage because of elements of the mind which manipulate muscle tone and motor motion. The impairments first seem early in existence, usually in infancy or early formative years. Infants are commonly sluggish to reach growth developmental milestones like rolling over, crawling, sitting, and on foot. Cerebral palsy causes difficulty even in standing still due to lack of muscle control and coordination. In more severe cases, the condition also affects the muscles that take part in vital body functions like breathing, bladder and bowel control. The severity of the condition depends on the extent of the damage to the brain.

With the help of Ayurvedic therapies, we can help you identify, assess, treat, manage, counsel, mentor and rehabilitate children. Ayurveda considers developmental disorders under Sahaja Vyadhis which are difficult to treat. CP comes under the group of diseases which are impossible to cure completely yet manageable. We need proper alignment of all the therapies and medicines needed with regular follow up. Mainstream procedures are keeping the body clean with proper digestion, absorption and nourishment along with strengthening of muscles. Innervation to regulate the functions of nerves is also an important part of treatment. Ayurvedic treatments include a special Panchakarma therapy program along with Abhyanga Swedam, Nasyam, Pichu, Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Njavara or Mamsakizhi, Vasti and herbal decoctions. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the condition and requires repetitions to yield great benefit and long-term support for the affected child.

At Jeevaneeyam, we follow the Kottakal protocol for CP developed by Dr Dinesh KS, Head of the department of Kaumarabhruthya, Kottakal Ayurveda Medical college. It includes symptomatic management and conservative management.

The protocol includes alternate administration of Snehana and Rukhsana for two or three weeks.
Admitted treatment will be needed once every 6 months or one year.
In CP, many treatment modalities are used from time to time according to the clinical manifestation and conditions.
They include:
- Rukshana(drying up therapies)
- Snehana (Oleation therapies)
- Swedana (Sudation therapies)
- Sodhana (Purificatory procedures to clear metabolic wastes from the body)
- Brmhana(strengthening therapies)
- Rasayana(nourishing therapies)
- Medhya (therapies to enhance brain functions) and symptomatic treatment.

20/Dec/2021

Cerebral Palsy – A parent’s Journey in Raising a Child

Since every child with cerebral palsy has a different experience, there is no one-size-fits-all piece of advice on how to raise and care for children with cerebral palsy. It is viewed that 10% of the worldwide populace has some type of incapacity from various causes. In India, it is 3.8% of the populace. Almost 15-20% of genuinely debilitated kids are impacted by Cerebral Palsy. In India, the assessed frequency is around 3/1000 live births. Cerebral paralysis is the most well-known engine inability in adolescence.

A parent is the most integral part of the child’s journey to achieve a social smile. With guidance from doctors, physical therapists and other health care workers, therapy time doesn’t have to end when your time slot is over. If you learn the proper ways to help your child exercise at home, you can help them stretch their muscles, build balance and reduce their pain. Parents should also learn basic techniques to relive the child’s pain while having a muscle spasm. It is important for the child to have movements at the best of their abilities so that the parents can make sure that they are active to strengthen their muscles and to reduce their muscle spasms.

Parents should also make sure that they should improve the child’s exposure to the outside world by regularly taking them outside, showing them different places, allowing them to hear different kinds of music, showing them art works, helping them to draw and paint, creating different games that they can enjoy. This will help the child to improve their skill set and explore new horizons which will improve their self-esteem.

A few key points that every parent should follow while taking care of children with special needs are;

Focusing on their diet
Training kids on positive attitude
Physical activities
Mind sharpening exercises

At Jeevaniyam, we take care & emphasize children and parents, to empower them so that they can have a beautiful journey of life. We monitor the progress in a continuous manner and help them to achieve their goals. We constantly aid the parent with all the adequate tools and training which will help the parent to be in a positive mindset and constantly motivate the child in achieving a social smile. We provide courses for kids starting at a very young age. We do provide specialised training for the parents which enables them to handle the situations in an easy manner.

13/Dec/2021

Cerebral Palsy – Types & Associated Conditions

In this modern world children born with developmental delay and cerebral palsy are increasing at an alarming rate. The main reasons of delayed identification of these cases are because of the lack of knowledge among common people thus not diagnosing this at an early stage.

Children show different issues depending on the part of the brain that got damaged. In some cases, all four limbs are affected and the child’s movement is restricted and will result in weak torso. In such case the child will show symptoms like difficulty in standing, holding things. Depending on the severity of the damage some children show the effects on three, two or one limb.

Types Of Cerebral Palsy

The most common type of cerebral palsy is known as spastic cerebral palsy happens due to the damage of the motor cortex damage. This causes the muscles to become stiff and tight.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy also known as athetoid cerebral palsy occurs due to the basal ganglia damage. This causes the child to have involuntary movement of the body since the brain doesn’t have proper control over muscles.

Axatic cerebral palsy is another type that affects due to the damage of the cerebellum. This causes shaky movements and affects a person’s balance and sense of positioning in space.

Mixed cerebral palsy means that someone’s brain is injured in more than one location and they will experience symptoms from multiple types of CP.

Some of the associated conditions which are associated with cerebral palsy are pain, intellectual disability, behavioral disorder, bladder intolerance, sleep disorder, respiratory disability etc. Children with Cerebral Palsy often have impaired oral motor control, which means they have difficulty controlling the muscles in their mouth and throat. This can lead to problems with feeding (sucking, chewing, etc.) and dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

Though it is considered not curable, there is hope in cases with early diagnosis, scientific treatment and regular follow-up. Proper medical evaluation along with imaging studies like X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan or EEG can give the diagnosis along with blood tests and genetic tests if needed.

Studies are showing that most cases of CP children respond well to an integrated approach with Ayurveda medicines and Panchakarma when combined with other therapies. It also helps to reduce or nullify the probable adverse effects of many other medications, too.

At Jeevaniyam we do the early detection and intervention for young infants. Here many treatment modalities are used from time to time according to the clinical manifestation and conditions as discussed above and all the therapies are applied after proper evaluation and examination. This helps the kids to achieve their social smile.

10/Dec/2021

Cerebral Palsy: What is Cerebral Palsy & How it is affecting kids?

what is Cerebral palsy (CP)?

Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a problem with movement and posture that makes certain activities difficult. It is otherwise known as Little’s disease, which is a common childhood disability disorder with dominated spasticity. Cerebral Palsy does not have a single cause like chickenpox or measles. There are many reasons why someone might have cerebral palsy. An unborn child might have suffered a brain injury, an infection, or abnormal development of the brain tissue. These are called “prenatal” causes, meaning they happened before birth. These causes are responsible for about 70% of the cases of cerebral palsy. Another 20% of cerebral palsy cases are caused by a brain injury that takes place during the birthing process (i.e., prenatal & Postnatal). There is no complete cure for the disease. Cerebral palsy is a congenital disease but is diagnosed probably later. it’s the most common lifelong physical disability in the world. There’s no single cause of cerebral palsy, though prematurity and stroke are two of the biggest causes. It is estimated that two out of every 1,000 new-born children will develop cerebral palsy. And approximately 40% of those born with cerebral palsy will have a severe case.

There are many risk factors for cerebral palsy. They can include:

Premature (early) birth
Low birth weight
Blood clotting problems
Inability of the placenta to provide the developing fetus with oxygen and nutrients
RH or A-B-O blood type incompatibility between mother and infant
Infection of the mother with German measles or other viral diseases in early pregnancy
Bacterial infection of the mother, fetus or infant that directly or indirectly attack the infant’s central nervous system
Prolonged loss of oxygen during the birthing process
Severe jaundice shortly after birth

Some of the early signs and symptoms that parents can notice in children are

Can’t sit up or independently roll over by 6 months
Feeding or swallowing difficulties
Preference to use one side of their body
Muscle spasms or feeling stiff
Poor muscle control, reflexes, and posture
Low muscle tone
Unable to hold up its own head while lying on their stomach or in a supported sitting position
Delayed development
Holding own head up when lying flat in a bed at 3 months
Sitting and rolling over by 6 months
Not walking by 12-18 months
Not speaking simple sentences by 24 months

In children it affects movement, coordination, muscle tone and control, reflexes, posture, and balance. Although the brain of toddlers/children with cerebral palsy remains injured, the injury does not get worse as they develop. Depending on the level of severity of their cerebral palsy, toddlers and children may experience difficulties with their physical development.

At Jeevaniyam we follow the Kottakal protocol for CP developed by Dr Dinesh KS, Head of the department of Kaumarabhruthya, Kottakal Ayurveda Medical college. It includes symptomatic management and conservative management. Our team of doctors & specialists check if your child is not reaching these milestones, or they display some of the signs of cerebral palsy. We can conduct an assessment as early as a 3 month old child. Early intervention & training helps the child to improve remarkably on their social skills and daily life activities from a very young age.

27/Aug/2016

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that affects movement, music tone and the ability to move in a purposeful and coordinated way. It is caused by damage in the brain which happens during or before the baby’s birth or during the first 3 to 5 years of the life of a child. Cerebral palsy can’t be cured. But don’t lose hope, there are Ayurveda Treatments for Cerebral Palsy available for the better and improved life of the affected kids which does not have any side effects.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy:

Severe jaundice in the infant
Infections during pregnancy
The metabolic and physical trauma of being born

Spastic, athetoid and ataxic are the different types of Cerebral Palsy. Even simple movements are difficult since cerebral palsy affects muscle coordination and control.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: It causes stiffness difficulties while moving.
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: It leads to uncontrolled and involuntary movements.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: It causes a problem with depth and perception.

Epilepsy, leaking of urine, difficulty in raising the foot, speech disorder, stiffness, failure to thrive, abnormality in walking, low birth weight, problems with coordination and muscle weakness are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy.

If you figure out any of these symptoms, instead of getting depressed. Visit Jeevaniyam Ayurveda Hospital and Research Center, Special School for Cerebral Palsy. We help you to sort out these issues through Ayurveda Therapies for Cerebral Palsy in Kerala.

Ayurveda treatment increases the functioning to a great extent for the affected individual rather than curing it. Ayurveda treatments include Music Therapy for Cerebral Palsy.

We offer the best Alternative Therapies for Cerebral Palsy.