In infants, babies and children, an active life and achievement of their developmental milestones require a certain amount of muscle tone or muscle tension. Without a normal level of muscle tone, children and babies struggle to control their bodies. This lack of muscle tone is called hypotonia. Physical therapy specifically designed to build up muscle strength, tone and control can help children with low muscle tone achieve more mobility, safety and a better quality of life.
What Causes Hypotonia?
Hypotonia is not actually a diagnosis; it is a symptom. Several conditions can cause low muscle tone, including:
- Genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome
- Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
- Developmental delays
- Premature birth
- Autism spectrum disorder
- In some cases, hypotonia occurs on its own without a known underlying cause
A baby with hypotonia may be “floppy”—unable to lift their head. An older child with hypotonia may be unsteady on their feet and have poor balance. It’s important to start physical therapy as early as possible to provide each child with the best quality of life possible. Helping a child develop all the muscle tone they are capable of enables them to achieve their best independence and ability to interact socially with other children.
What Are the Risks of Untreated Hypotonia?
If low muscle tone is not addressed, children often face a range of challenges. They are likely to have difficulty with gross motor skills like sitting, crawling, and walking. They may face delays in developing fine motor tasks such as writing or using utensils. They may even struggle to achieve clear speech. Feeding may be difficult as they may not have good control of mouth and throat muscles.
Children with untreated hypotonia commonly experience poor, unstable posture, joint instability, fatigue, and poor endurance. They are at higher risk of joint dislocations and some children may have fragile bones. They often can’t keep up with other kids when playing or at school. This can be so frustrating that there may be a significant impact on their emotional health.
Pediatric Physical Therapists Are Specialists in Improving Muscle Tone
Every day, pediatric physical therapists help children gain better control of their bodies. Under their care, children can improve muscle tone, leading to more strength, coordination and function. Every session is carefully planned to advance the child’s abilities while incorporating play and fun! Toys, soft mats, swinging platforms, climbing walls, tunnels, balls, tricycles, and obstacle courses invite children to engage in play while improving muscle tone.
When a child has low muscle tone caused by one of the underlying conditions noted above, their therapist uses an understanding of those causes when programming their therapy. For example, children with autism spectrum disorder may benefit from more sensory-rich activities to enhance their body awareness and response to movement.
Early Physical Therapy Brings About the Best Outcomes
To protect a child’s health, prevent injuries and provide the best outcomes, early and consistent physical therapy is very important. Some children can catch up with others their age in strength and function. Others with more severe underlying conditions can achieve better independence and enjoyment of activities with family and friends.
If your pediatrician has recommended physical therapy for hypotonia or if you suspect that your child may have this symptom, call us. We can help you understand low muscle tone and explain how we can improve your child’s life. Call Let’s Communicate at (678) 963-0694 to let’s schedule a professional evaluation today.
