सेरिब्रल पैल्सि : गर्भावस्था के दौरान और जन्म के समय  ऐसी बहुत सी चीजें घटित होती हैं जो कि मस्तिष्क के सामान्य विकास को बाधित कर सकती हैं और जिनके परिणामस्वरूप सेरिब्रल पैल्सि हो सकती है। लगभग 70 प्रतिशत मामलों में मस्तिष्क को क्षति जन्म से पहले पहुंचती है, हालांकि यह प्रसव के समय के आसपास, या जीवन के पहले महीने या वर्ष में भी घटित होती है।

सेरिब्रल पैल्सि का उल्लेख उन अवस्थाओं के लिए किया जाता है जो कि गतिविधि और हावभाव के नियंत्रण को प्रभावित करते हैं। गतिविधि को नियंत्रित करने वाले मस्तिष्क के एक या अधिक हिस्से की क्षति के कारण प्रभावित व्यक्ति अपनी मांसपेशियों को सामान्य ढंग से नहीं हिला सकता। उपचार शुरू होने पर अधिकतर बच्चे अपनी क्षमताओं में बहुत हद तक सुधार ला सकते हैं। सेरिब्रल पैल्सि वाले बहुत से बच्चे दूसरी ऐसी समस्याओं से ग्रस्त होते हैं जिनके उपचार की आवश्यकता होती है। इनमें मानसिक सामान्य विकास में कमी; सीखने की अक्षमता; दौरा; और देखने, सुनने और बोलने की समस्या शामिल है।

Birth difficulties and neurological defects are common in children. Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder caused by damage to the brain before, during or soon after birth. The ability to communicate effectively is often impaired by problems with speech and also gestures usually used in communication.

The multiple facets of disability in cerebral palsy suggest that one child may need intensive speech therapy, another may require a program with emphasis on occupational therapy, and a third patient may have his principal difficulties related to some special educational technique designed, hopefully, to circumvent a perceptual problem.

By general opinion, the brain lesion in cerebral palsy is a non-progressive i.e. static one. But this does not mean that the neurological deficit is constant and unchanging. In fact human infant normally is born with a relatively undeveloped nervous system. This undeveloped functional state is particularly evident with reference to neuromuscular

function. The clinical evidences of the striking changes in brain development, which probably extend over the first 5 years of life, have important implications for the cerebral palsied child and the methods used in treatment.

The functional deterioration that we frequently see in the adolescent child with cerebral palsy is psychosocial and emotional in origin. This apparent deterioration may occur as the adolescent becomes acutely aware of the social deprivations that face him at this critical phase of life. These changes are important and need greater attention.

Ayurvedic & Yogic Support

The treatment agenda focuses on improving the brain damage by Vata balancing and neuron protection. Intellect promoting herbs help in the rejuvenation of the damaged brain cells.  Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Celastrus panniculatus and Lavandula stoechas are interesting and effective herbs.

Administration of Omni Cept along with Ayurvedic body massage using Shat-Bala Oil  is very useful. Other Panch karma procedures such as Shirodhara and Nasya (Nasal therapy) and Yogic supports such as alternate nasal breathing (Pranayama) can be used to augment the clinical improvements. This alternative modality of treatment is safe and can definitely help to reduce disability and improve the functioning of the affected individual.