Is your child experiencing difficulties with movement due to high or low muscle tone? Pediatric physical therapy can help with play-based, proven treatments tailored to their specific needs. Keep reading to learn more about high and low muscle tone and how physical therapy empowers children to thrive.
What Is High Muscle Tone?
High muscle tone, also called hypertonia, refers to increased muscle tightness and resistance to stretching. This condition can impact a child’s ability to move their body easily and can lead to challenges in their overall development and quality of life.
What Causes High Muscle Tone?
Hypertonia is caused by trouble with the central nervous system where the brain doesn’t properly regulate the interaction between the muscles and the nerves. This could be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth or any condition that affects the central nervous system such as cerebral palsy.
Symptoms of High Muscle Tone
Signs and symptoms of hypertonia in children may include:
- Stiff or rigid muscles, especially in the arms, legs, or neck
- Difficulty bending or straightening joints
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Difficulty walking
- Challenges with balance and coordination
- Poor posture when sitting
- Muscle pain, soreness, or twitching
What Is Low Muscle Tone?
Low muscle tone, also called hypotonia, refers to reduced muscle stiffness and poor muscle control. It is the opposite of high muscle tone, but it can impact a child’s overall growth and development in the same way by making it difficult for the child to move their body.
What Causes Low Muscle Tone?
Hypotonia is also caused by communication errors between the central nervous system and the muscles. This could be caused by trauma during birth or conditions such as Down syndrome or muscular dystrophy.
Symptoms of Low Muscle Tone
Signs and symptoms of hypotonia in children may include:
- Muscles appear floppy or have a lack of resistance
- Delays in achieving developmental milestones, such as sitting or crawling
- Quickly tires during physical activities
- Challenges with balance and stability
- Resting with extended limbs instead of bending elbows, legs, etc.
- Mouth tends to hang open with the tongue sticking out
- Breaths are shallow and fast
Is Muscle Tone the Same as Muscle Weakness or Strength?
While it’s easy to confuse muscle tone with strength, these are not the same. Muscle tone refers to the natural, slight tension or firmness in a muscle when it is at rest. Muscle strength refers to how much force a muscle can produce. Children with high muscle tone do not necessarily have a lot of muscle strength, their muscles are simply tight and contracted. A child who has low muscle tone may also have low muscle strength, but that would be a side effect of the difficulty they have using their muscles for daily activities. Thankfully, with physical therapy, children can both improve their muscle tone and build their muscle strength.
How Physical Therapy Helps Children with High or Low Muscle Tone
Physical therapists use play-based, proven exercises and activities to help children build better muscle tone. We can identify whether a child has high or low muscle tone and work with them on a customized treatment plan to address their specific needs. Your child’s treatment plan could include:
- Exercises to improve muscle strength and endurance
- Gentle stretches to improve flexibility and joint mobility
- Techniques to address stiffness and promote smoother movements
- Activities to improve balance and coordination
- Exercises to enhance postural stability
Schedule an Evaluation
If your child is struggling with high or low muscle tone, Little Hands at Play can help. We’ll work with your child to build their skills and improve their overall quality of life. Call us at (479) 226-3409 to schedule an evaluation with our physical therapists today.
