Cerebral palsy treatment options will vary, depending on the symptoms presented by the type of CP the person is diagnosed with. It is common that multiple treatments and therapies be combined to address the symptoms while also supporting development.

You are likely to hear, or have, different opinions and acceptance of possible cerebral palsy treatments and procedures. It is important to be a thoughtful consumer and ask your medical and professional team about their thinking and approach to the treatments they present. Ask what evidence has led them to those opinions, discuss the quality of existing evidence, potential risks, and your doctor’s confidence in a particular treatment being able to meet your child’s and family’s specific goals.

Cerebral Palsy and Types of Therapies

These are commonly used and accepted therapy options for treating the symptoms presented by cerebral palsy and some co-conditions:

Cerebral Palsy Surgical Options & Medications

These are commonly used medications and surgical options to help treat the symptoms presented by each person with cerebral palsy:

  • Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
  • Ethanol/Phenol Nerve Block
  • Sective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR)
  • Lengthening Procedures
  • Tendon Transfer Procedure
  • Baclofen Pump
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Oral Baclofen
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
  • Dantrolene (Dantrium)
  • Gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
  • L-dopa or carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)
  • Clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)
  • Zolpidem (Ambien)
  • Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)

CP Equipment & Orthotics

Commonly used equipment and orthotics to assist children and adults with cerebral palsy in their daily lives.

Alternative Therapies for CP

Alternative therapies have not been proven, studied, or have little research, therefore, they are not thought of as a traditional therapy:

  • Accupuncture
  • Chinese scalp acupuncture (CSA)
  • Adeli Suit (or Theratogs, Spio suits)
  • Conductive Education
  • Craniosacral Therapy
  • Feldenkrais and Anat Baniel Method (ABM)
  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
  • Quantum Reflex Integration (QRI)
  • Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI)
  • Stem Cell Therapy
  • Yoga

Cerebral Palsy Treatment Checklist

Treating cerebral palsy is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach and can be overwhelming with so many treatment options. That is why we have a ‘Cerebral Palsy Treatment Checklist‘ to help you as a guide on your cerebral palsy journey.

The information from this page appears in our free and downloadable cerebral palsy tool kit.