Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects muscle control, inhibiting movement and speech. Cerebral palsy patients often require lifelong medical treatments to improve their quality of life, with limited success. Alternative therapies are becoming more popular as parents learn about their various options.

One of these options is acupuncture. Though there are limited studies to prove the full effectiveness of the treatment, new research has implied that the practice may in fact have a positive effect on patients. Most acupuncture treatments for cerebral palsy patients are aimed at reducing pain and boosting flexibility and strength of the muscles.

In 2010, a research paper studying 3,286 children with cerebral palsy revealed that acupuncture does in fact improve patients’ day-to-day quality of life. The therapy also appears to “increase independence and verbal ability.” Similar studies have shown that acupuncture can improve speech as well as strengthen bone density. Other studies have found that combining music therapy with acupuncture is even more effective than acupuncture alone.