1Jun, 2023

The Little Secret of the Fascia Connection with Cerebral Palsy

What is that little secret of the fascia and its connection with Cerebral Palsy? Why is it so important to address it?

An Introduction

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects a person’s motor function, muscle control, and coordination. It is often caused by damage to the developing brain during pregnancy, birth, or early childhood. While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, recent studies suggest that fascia may play a significant role in how the condition presents and progresses.

Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs in the body, and it is thought that abnormal fascial tension could contribute to cerebral palsy symptoms. In this blog, we will explore the relationship between fascia and cerebral palsy and discuss how understanding this connection could lead to more effective treatments and therapies for individuals with the condition.

How might fascia be connected to cerebral palsy?

Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs. It is a complex network of fibers that can stretch and contract, allowing for movement and flexibility. Studies have shown that individuals with cerebral palsy may have altered fascia properties, such as increased stiffness or decreased elasticity, which can contribute to muscle stiffness and poor mobility.

Furthermore, fascia is thought to play a role in the transmission of nerve signals throughout the body. This means that changes in fascia properties may impact nerve function and potentially exacerbate neurological conditions like cerebral palsy.

Traditional treatments for cerebral palsy focus on managing symptoms and improving function through physical therapy, medication, and surgery. However, recent research suggests that there is a connection between cerebral palsy and fascia.

Recent research has challenged the traditional view that skeletal muscle in cerebral palsy (CP) is merely an end organ, and has shed light on the role of fascia in the condition. Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs, and has been found to play a significant role in movement and postural control in children with CP. Fascia can become restricted and cause stiffness and pain, which can exacerbate movement difficulties in children with CP. Understanding the role of fascia in CP can offer strategies to help improve movement and postural control in affected children. [1]

In another study published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions found that children with spastic cerebral palsy (a type of cerebral palsy characterized by muscle stiffness and tightness) had structural changes in their fascia, which may contribute to abnormal gait patterns [2]

Sources:

What does this mean for treatment?

Understanding the potential connection between fascia and cerebral palsy can lead to new and an advanced treatment options. Currently, treatments for cerebral palsy often focus on managing symptoms such as muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and difficulty with movement. However, addressing fascial tension and restrictions may provide an additional avenue for improving motor function and reducing symptoms.

This has led to the development of innovative treatments such as PIASTM Therapy, which uses specialized Accel tool to target and release fascial restrictions in the body. By releasing tension and improving circulation, PIASTM Therapy can improve range of motion, reduce pain, and enhance overall function in individuals with cerebral palsy.

In addition to potential physical benefits, addressing fascial tension and restrictions may also improve overall well-being and quality of life for those with cerebral palsy. The fascia contains a vast network of nerve endings, which play a role in our sense of touch and proprioception (the sense of where our body is in space). By reducing fascial restrictions, individuals may experience improved sensory awareness and greater ease of movement.

What is PIASTM Therapy ?

Paediatric Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (PIASTM) is a therapeutic technique that uses specific “Accel Tool – Accelerate Healing” on children to promote mobilization of restricted tissue to increase flexibility, to increase range of motion, to reduce contractures as well as and for a management for tactile defensiveness in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

This technique is specifically designed by world renowned: Kanu Kaushik, Paediatric Physiotherapist.

Step by Step Process of Starting PIASTM Therapy Journey Is Given Below:

How To Start

FACEBOOK Link:

https://www.facebook.com/PIASTMTherapyWorldwide

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8Feb, 2023

PIASTM Therapy | Home Exercises

Parents Are Finding Home Program Exercises For Children With Cerebral Palsy Really Easy After PIASTM Therapy

You will be surprised to know the reasons behind it:

a) PIASTM Therapy Helps In Managing Muscle Tone. That means Spastic Muscles Relaxes After PIASTM Therapy or Low Tone Muscles Gets Activated Post PIASTM Therapy which helps therapists or parents to reach functional goals in a child.

b) Flexibility or Range of Motion of a joint improves quickly after PIASTM Therapy which helps a child to get good mobility as well as movements.

c) Proprioception & body awareness improves with PIASTM Therapy which will help a child to control muscles more better. Hence more stability & better posture.

d) Breathing is an essential element for a child’s growth and most of the time breathing pattern is compromised in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. With PIASTM Therapy – Diaphragmatic approach technique, diaphragm breathing is improved which helps in chest expansion.

e) PIASTM Therapy improves fluid & blood circulation in Muscles which helps in better growth of a muscle fiber and better muscle performance.

f) Many spastic children complain about muscle & joint pain even that reduces after PIASTM Therapy and hence they perform well during a routine exercise program.
 
g) PIASTM Therapy helps in optimizing NEUROPLASTICITY in a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Paediatric Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (PIASTM) is a therapeutic technique that uses specific “Accel IASTM Tool – Accelerate Healing” on children to promote mobilization of restricted tissue to increase flexibility, increase range of motion, to reduce contractures as well as and for management for tactile defensiveness in autistic children.
 
“It Is An Exceptional Approach To Treat Common Paediatric Conditions Through PIASTM Technique”
Kanu Kaushik (Founder of PIASTM Technique) 

Click Here To See The Results Of PIASTM Therapy

15Jan, 2023

New Hope For Dystonic Cerebral Palsy- PIASTM Therapy

New Hope For Dystonic Cerebral Palsy : PIASTM Therapy

Posted on September 15, 2022

Dystonic Cerebral Palsy is a neurological movement disorder caused by the damage to the Basal Ganglia of the brain. There is no cure for it, but PIASTM Therapy is working like a catalyst and enhancing effects of other therapies.

Most common symptoms seen in Children diagnosed with Dystonic Cerebral Palsy are :

Involuntary muscle contractions (sometimes twisting of muscles with a force is seen)
Postural deformities
Muscular Imbalance
Oro-motor Dysfunction
Speech Impairments

Sub classification of Dystonic Cerebral Palsy:

Dystonic CP can be sub classified by the areas of the body it affects:

If a CP child experience dystonia on one part of body. This is called as focal dystonia, where you will see muscle twitches on the affected leg or one arm or the trunk of the body.
Some children with cerebral palsy have their entire body affected, known as generalized dystonia. Children with generalized dystonia usually have a difficult time with walking and balance.
Dystonia can also occur in the head, neck, and shoulders, making for abnormal twists and turns. This is known as cervical dystonia.
Oromandibular dystonia occurs when the child’s mouth, jaw, and tongue are affected. Some children are susceptible to malnutrition and dietary issues.
Hemi dystonia affects one arm and leg on the same side of the body.

NOTE: Severe Contractures are seen in course of time and depends on the severity of Dystonic Cerebral Palsy.

What Is PIASTM THERAPY?

Paediatric Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (PIASTM) is a therapeutic technique that uses specific “Accel IASTM Tool – Accelerate Healing” on children to promote mobilization of restricted tissue to increase flexibility, to increase range of motion, to reduce contractures as well as and for a management for tactile defensiveness in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

This technique is specifically designed by world renowned: Kanu Kaushik, Paediatric Physiotherapist and he has been teaching this technique to Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Rehab Physicians from various countries under Kinesio Prehab Institute.

How PIASTM Therapy Helps In Managing Dystonic Cerebral Palsy?

First major step of this technique is to manage TONE OF THE MUSCLE. It manages spasticity with an ease which causes problems, such as muscle pain or spasms, trouble moving in bed, difficulty with transfers, poor seating position, impaired ability to stand and walk, dystonic posturing muscle, contracture leading to joint deformity, bony deformation, joint subluxation or dislocation and diminished functional independence.

Second step is to RELAX or REDUCE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS by muscle inhibition PIASTM Technique which gives freedom of movement.

MUSCLE ACTIVATION OF WEAKER ANTAGONIST MUSCLES which helps in achieving muscle or joint movement control with muscle retraining program after PIASTM Therapy.

IMPROVES PROPRIOCEPTION LEVEL IN DIFFERENT SEGMENTS which improves body part awareness.

PIASTM Therapy when given with specific exercises Helps in Optimizing NEUROPLASTICITY

HOW MANY SESSIONS OF PIASTM THERAPY DOES DYSTONIC CEREBRAL PALSY CHILD NEEDS?

Every child has its own demand and requirement. Hence PIASTM Therapy sessions are designed according to child’s need.

Every child has to undergo a PIASTM Assessment which is done with physical examinations and special muscle tests.

As a start, 4 days PIASTM Therapy protocol is mandatory for every child.

Yearly Archives: 2023