This blog is to share the latest research and development of acupuncture and raise the awareness of alternative treatments for your conditions, and is for information only.

Saturday, 10 January 2015

Acupuncture helps reduce muscle hypertonicity, relieve muscle tension, pain and discomfort in children with cerebral palsy

In the United States, clinical studies of acupuncture treatment for children with cerebral palsy were performed by researchers at the University of Arizona.

In a randomized controlled study to assess effect of acupuncture on motor function of children, aged 12 to 72 months, with cerebral palsy spasticity was performed by the Health Sciences Centre. Following 16 weeks of acupuncture treatment, children with cerebral palsy spasticity displayed marked improvement in their gross motor function compared with control group. The improvement in acupuncture treated children exceeded researcher’s expectations. The study suggested that acupuncture could help children improve their ability to function physically.

Another study was performed by the Paediatrics Department. The study involved in several children and was to assess what extent of muscle hypertonicity can be relieved by auricular acupuncture. It was found that auricular treatment has particular therapeutic effect on one child. After just a few treatments it was noted that his muscles were not as hard as they were before treatment. By the end of 16 treatments with the ear probe, the child’s limb thrusting was reduced by 50 percent, a significant improvement.

There studies suggest that acupuncture is promising to improve symptoms of cerebral palsy.  

Reference:
Downer J, Acupuncture for cerebral palsy. Acupuncture, January 2014.  
http://www.stratfordacupuncture.com/acupuncture-cerebral-palsy/

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