Cerebral Palsy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Cerebral Palsy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The term "cerebral palsy" is not a specific diagnosis, but is now generally applied to children who experience some forms of brain trauma either at the time of birth or shortly before. Typically, these children manifest some degree of cognitive impairment as well as physical impairment, often with weakness and spasticity of arms and legs. Typically treatment for children with cerebral palsy has been directed at the physical manifestations of the underlying problem. Most efforts are directed at increasing the ranges of motion, reducing spasticity, and increasing strength, along with specific therapies designed to enhance communication skills and academic performance.

Evidence from other countries is now providing strong support for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve the underlying problem in children with cerebral palsy. Hyperbaric oxygen actually targets the abnormalities of brain function. This offers an exciting new approach for treatment.

Studies show that the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children with cerebral palsy is linked to its enhancing the function of previously damaged neurons (brain/nerve cells). These neurons have been called "idling neurons" in that while they are still alive, they have been damaged to the extent that their function is compromised. Hyperbaric oxygen facilitates the restoration of these damaged neurons which improves brain function and the nervous system. The use of Hyperbaric oxygen to help children with cerebral palsy is becoming more widespread in the United States.

"I would like to thank you for all of your support in searching for help for our son Tim. Two years ago, Tim walked with a forearm crutch due to his cerebral palsy. Without his crutch he could walk very short distances typically in our house only. He could only stand without support for maybe 10-15 seconds if he was really lucky. The muscles in his legs were just way too tight and his balance was off. After years of therapy, botox treatments, oral baclofen and even muscle lengthening surgery, I was starting to lose hope that he would ever walk independently. You can imagine how disappointed we were after trying so many options that although he had made progress we just could not get rid of the reliance on an assistive device. Then, my mother-in-law recommended that we try hyperbaric oxygen therapy, HBOT. I was very skeptical. I thought if it really worked everyone would know about it and everyone would be using it. Despite my better judgment, we went ahead and tried it. I felt like it would be like opening our car window and throwing $4,000 away. After 40 treatments in 20 days, he could walk much farther without his crutch. Although he still fell often, his balance was definitely improved. He went from standing for only 10-15 seconds to 1-2 minutes. Another side benefit was he used to having a few times a day involuntary shudders, these had gone completely away. We really could not believe it!"
Thank you for everything!”

fr:Balanced Health Today
hiperbarik untuk cerebral palsy (dr.erick supondha/ dokter konsultan ahli hiperbarik)