CONTRIBUTIONS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BALANCE AND ROCKING TECHNIQUES FOR FACILITATING RELAXATION DURING THE FUNCTIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

The functional physiotherapeutic treatment in cerebral palsy (CP) aims at the
achievement of an as normal as possible functional capacity, and also at the development of
some compensating mechanisms which ensure the possibility of self-management, education and
work, respectively an active life, and, as much as possible, the perspective of economic and
social independence.
Using balance and rocking techniques within the functional physiotherapeutic
programme will facilitate the achievement of relaxation, thus averting the actions performed by
the child while attempting to oppose the stressing stimulus, which, in our case, is the new
situation in which the child finds himself/herself, taking into account the close connection
between the emotional state and the muscular tonus. That connection between the two tension
situations creates a vicious circle which diminishes the child’s participation, thus impairing the
development of the kinetic programme.