This week on TheraBytes we cover the topic of Dystonia - what it is, the causes, the symptoms and treatments.

All about high tone - Spasticity - describes something that happens to our muscles when we have an upper motor neuron injury.

A discovery of more than just a simple understanding of the ‘elastic band’ theory, especially within the context of cerebral palsy. Spasticity is another diagnosis that originates from the injured brain either at birth or post birth or even the spinal cord. It is a common reason why we observe disruption of muscle movement patterns in our children and young people. I understand now that spasticity is all about a "velocity dependent" increase in tone - it's not just tightness.

These ‘annoying’ movements can seem jerky and feel like muscle tightness and joint stiffness, all of which can be frustrating for our kids. Our children work hard, in and out of therapy to stabilise and balance their body for the simple act of standing, taking steps or reaching out. I have come to realise though that in order to get to that end movement, it can be the cause of a lot of cognitive and physical exhaustion, not to mention pain.

As a parent, this chat was an eye opener because I came to realise how spasticity can contribute to daily life - everything that they want to do during the day as well as how they can go to sleep and rest.

Dr Dayna highlights how spasticity affects our children from day to day and how we can also embrace "chill time" in amongst all the things we have to do. She also discusses the role of botulinum toxin type A, surgery, therapy and strengthening.

An episode that highlights how important those hip X- Ray appointments are, as a standard monitoring program for children with CP. It makes us understand why we wander through the hospital corridors every 6 or 12 months and answers what it is the Doctors are looking out for.

Family discussions post X- Ray being taken, and the Doctors point to the most obvious bones of the ‘ball and socket’ on either side of the hips. We are updated on where the ball and socket is at, if the ball is slightly out of the socket it's something to monitor and come back in six months, but if it’s as it should be snugly fitting into each other then we’ll see you in twelve.

We discover more than what parents discuss at these annual visits and discover how important these visits and findings are in our children's developments and their development journeys. We discover how hip displacements and placements can increase or decrease a child's quality of life and how important the ‘ability of movement’ actually is, no matter how little it may be.

Is pain in therapy ok?

Why the concept of "no pain, no gain" is an outdated and dangerous philosophy.

This week we discuss the "magic" of stem cells.

Families have many questions - and in our byte-sized episode - we try to answer some of the more common questions we're asked about stem cells.

What are they?
How do they work?
What effect do they actually have?
Where can I get them?

and so much more.

The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

How do you know what therapy is best?

Use the traffic light system!

🔴 Don't do it
🟠 Maybe do it
🟢 The best available

All based on the latest science, knowledge, understandings, evidence and research.

https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/11910_2020_Article_1022.pdf