Range of Motion Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a non-contagious, non-progressive neurological disease that can cause difficulty in using one to all four limbs. It is incredibly important to exercise if you suffer from this disease. Range-of-motion exercises will help prevent your limb muscles from atrophying and can help you live a normal life. These exercises can be started in infancy and used throughout life.

Stretching

• Stretching is one of the most important acts in any exercise program. Stretching before and after exercise helps keep your muscles loose and limber. This is doubly true for cerebral palsy patients. Carefully stretch your limbs as far as you feel comfortable. Move them above your head, to each side, and down as far as you can. Sit down on the floor if this is more comfortable and spread your legs. If you are performing stretches on an infant, be very careful how far you stretch. Gently move her arms and legs without ever forcing. If the child displays any discomfort or begins to cry, you have stretched beyond her limits. Though you should challenge her limitations, you should never hurt her.

Limb Cycling

• Limb cycling will help work your muscles and challenge your range of motion. Cycling can be done either manually or on a machine. To do it manually, sit in a chair and relax. Drop your arms to the floor and slowly move them in front of you. Bring them behind your head and back down to the ground. Only go as far as you can. It's unlikely you'll be able to do a full circle at first or ever depending on the severity of your affliction. To do your leg, lie on your back and pump your legs as if you are cycling a bike. Again, only go as fast and as long as you feel comfortable. Always try to move somewhat beyond your comfort zone (as this is how you will build range of motion), but never hurt yourself. That negates any benefits of the exercise. These exercises need to be done very slowly with an infant.

Bends

• After stretching and limb cycling, bends are the next step in a range-of motion-routine. These will work the rest of the joints in your body. Sit in a chair and bend over at the waist as far as you can. Try to touch your toes, but don't worry if you can't. Sit straight up again and lean back in your chair as far as you can. This will work your torso. Work your arms by bending your elbow and bringing your fist as close to your arm as you can. Do this with both arms. Lie on your back and bend your knee. Grab behind your thigh and pull your leg up as far as you can comfortably. Do this with both legs. Again, only bend as far as you feel comfortable and modify any exercises depending on the severity of your affliction. Do these exercises very slowly and carefully with an infant.