Patient's question:
My younger brother was born with a difficult delivery. He experienced oxygen deprivation. He has spastic cerebral palsy, with the condition being more severe on the right side. Since he was young, he has been receiving acupuncture and Tuina (Chinese massage) treatments. His family continues to provide these treatments at home. He is now five years old and still cannot stand independently. His speech is mostly understandable, and his intelligence is also normal. His left hand is just as flexible as a normal person's, but he still cannot stand or walk. What should we do? Is surgery a viable option?Doctor's answer:
Hello: The treatment for cerebral palsy is indeed very complex. Since the stage of brain disease has passed, the sequelae are diverse, and the treatments vary accordingly. Overall, it involves two aspects: one is treating the brain, and the other is treating the paralysis. Because it is a sequelae, it generally does not rely on medication or surgery but primarily on exercise. The movement of the brain is learning; parents must work hard to teach their children to speak and associate, without rushing. It requires repeating it ten times, a hundred times, and the undamaged brain cells can always be trained to function. In this regard, medication, acupuncture, and physical therapy can only play a supplementary role. Parents must understand that there is currently no truly effective brain-generating drug, so never waste time searching for a miracle drug, as it may delay the favorable recovery period. Don't forget that any medication that can treat the disease will inevitably interfere with physiological functions, so even if medication is used, it must be managed by a doctor.