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Complementary Therapy Approaches for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral Palsy

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Abstract

This chapter introduces several complementary approaches for children. These approaches include therapeutic garments, therapeutic taping, yoga, Pilates, myofascial release, Conductive Education, patterning, Feldenkrais, Vojta, medical marijuana, and craniosacral therapy, and the latest evidence for use and impact for use are presented for each intervention strategy. Care should be taken when recommending certain therapies as the evidence may not support their effectiveness for children with cerebral palsy (CP). On the other hand, many of the complementary intervention approaches have proven to be useful in improving a child’s ability to participate. Complementary therapies should be introduced to families as potential reasonable additions to traditional therapies and may replace the traditional therapy protocol in some cases. Rich and meaningful discussions among the medical providers, child, and the child’s caregivers should occur when considering complementary therapies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Therapy, Governors State University, University Park, IL, USA

    Roberta O’Shea

  2. Nemours Children’s Health System, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Gina Siconolfi-Morris

Authors
  1. Roberta O’Shea
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  2. Gina Siconolfi-Morris
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberta O’Shea .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Freeman Miller

  2. Cerebral Palsy Program, AI DuPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington, DE, USA

    Steven Bachrach

  3. AI DuPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  4. Drexel University, PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA

    Margaret O'Neil

Section Editor information

  1. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

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O’Shea, R., Siconolfi-Morris, G. (2019). Complementary Therapy Approaches for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy. In: Miller, F., Bachrach, S., Lennon, N., O'Neil, M. (eds) Cerebral Palsy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50592-3_220-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50592-3_220-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50592-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50592-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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