High or Low Muscle Tone Therapy
in Massapequa & East Northport, NY
Children with high or low muscle tone often experience difficulty with movement, coordination, and daily activities. If your child’s limbs seem excessively stiff or limp, or if they struggle with moving their body the way they want to, they may have muscle tone that is too high or too low. At Sensational Development, we offer specialized pediatric therapy services to promote the development of optimal muscle tone for children, teens, and young adults. Keep reading to learn more about what muscle tone is, what can happen if it is too high or too low, and how our expert pediatric therapists can help.
What Is Muscle Tone?
Muscle tone refers to the natural tension in a muscle when at rest. Good muscle tone is essential for maintaining posture, stability, and the ability to move effectively. When muscles have the right amount of tone, they can efficiently contract or relax, which is important for smooth and coordinated movement.
What Is High Muscle Tone?
High muscle tone, also known as hypertonia, occurs when muscles are too tense or contracted even at rest. This can make it difficult to participate in daily tasks and even cause pain. Common symptoms of hypertonia include:
- Muscle tightness or stiffness
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty with coordination
- Limited flexibility
- Struggles with fine motor skills
- Difficulty with balance
- Pain or soreness in muscles
What Causes High Muscle Tone?
High muscle tone can be caused by many different conditions, including:
- Brain injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lack of oxygen during birth
What Is Low Muscle Tone?
Low muscle tone, or hypotonia, occurs when there isn’t enough muscle tension at rest. This leads to “floppy” or loose muscles that make it difficult to participate in daily tasks. Common symptoms of hypotonia include:
- Soft or loose muscles
- Low endurance
- Joint instability
- Motor skill delays
- Poor posture
- Shallow breathing
- Extended limbs at rest
What Causes Low Muscle Tone?
The cause of low muscle tone is not always known but can be caused by many different conditions, including:
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cerebral palsy
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Brain injury
- Premature birth
- Lack of oxygen during birth
How Pediatric Therapy Helps Children with High or Low Muscle Tone
At Sensational Development, our experienced pediatric therapists do comprehensive evaluations to determine the best treatment for each child’s specific needs. We offer play-based occupational therapy to help children build the developmental skills they need for effective movement so they can handle daily tasks with ease. We also offer sensory integration therapy as needed to help achieve that goal. Our play-based interventions are designed to:
- Improve muscle strength
- Enhance coordination and balance
- Promote flexibility and range of motion
- Reduce pain and soreness
- Build skills for independence
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you think your child might be experiencing high or low muscle tone, don’t hesitate to reach out. Give us a call at (516) 799-2900 to schedule an evaluation. Our dedicated team is ready to work with you to support your child’s overall development so they can achieve a sensational future.