Muscle tone disorders

Muscle tone is a slight muscle tension, which is necessary for their quick inclusion in working condition. It is the level of tone that determines the readiness of the muscle complex to perform motor functions. For each period of child’s development there exist physiological standards of tonic activity.

So, in the first three months after birth the increased muscles tension responsible for extremities flexion/extension remains. The baby’s body continues to maintain the embryo position – the fists are tightly compressed and legs are bent (a certain effort is required to straighten the limbs).

By three months, in case of baby’s normal development, normotonia should be achieved – i.e. a balanced state of muscular flexors and extensors. At this point, the legs and arms are working actively and quite easily, and palms are less compressed into a fist. By 18 months, the child’s tone is comparable with the adult muscular tension indicators.

Abnormalities

Disorders of muscle tone include hypertonus, hypotonia, dystonia, and muscle tone asymmetry. One can judge about the hypertonicity by an excessive squeezing and baby’s constrained movements, the occipital muscles tension, tightly clenched fists, legs are also bent in all joints, and the upper legs can hardly be moved to the side. Hypotonus signs are faint, weak limb movements, late age skills development. With forced hands bending, there is no response to straightening, which should be observed in a healthy baby. The baby undergoes difficulties holding the head due to weakened neck muscles, gets tired whilst feeding (one of the causes of the breast refusal).

The asymmetry of the muscle tone is a condition, in which one half of the body is more toned than the other. In this case, the head and pelvis are turned towards the muscle tension, the trunk is bent like an arc, and the child falls to the side.

Muscular dystonia (one-sided tone) – is a combination of hypertonia (increased muscle tone) and hypotonia.

The asymmetry of the tone and dystonia at any age ARE NOT a normal variant. Muscular dystonia, the treatment of which is started on time, leads to muscle tone normalization.

Parents can only suspect a tone disorder according the grounds above, but it is paediatric neurologist who makes the conclusion – after testing the reflexes and conducting a special diagnostic examination.

The causes and consequences of muscle tone disorder

In most of cases, the muscle tone disorders in newborns is a consequence of birth trauma (especially the neck and head injuries), or fetal development pathologies. External appearances of muscle disorders indicate nervous system pathology, which means that children, – if the timely measures are not taken – have a risk of other developmental deviations (both physical and intellectual).

The pathology won’t disappear by itself, and won’t correct with age. However, the use of proper treatment regimens can regain the child’s health.

Diagnostics and treatment of muscle tone disorders

The metameric approach in diagnostics makes it possible to determine the level of the nervous system disorder and to work-up differential diagnosis.

With the exclusion of serious diseases, the treatment that has been initiated earlier leads to a complete recovery. Therefore, do not postpone your visit to the paediatric neurologist.

The doctors of «Bersenev’s Medical Centre» developed an individual treatment program for children with muscle tone changes. This program includes metameric massage, special therapeutic exercises and, if necessary, metameric reflexotherapy.

Having addressed to the «Bersenev’s Medical Centre», you are guaranteed to receive the most effective medical help. Experienced doctors will do their best for serious pathology eliminating and creating conditions for child’s healthy growth.