Everyone wants their child to be healthy \u2014 the muscular system plays an integral role in supporting children\u2019s bodies, blood circulation, and movement. Kids with hypotonia (medical jargon for low muscle tone) won\u2019t show resistance when their joints move. Essentially, the child\u2019s muscles feel soft and floppy. Whether you were just told your child has hypotonia or you\u2019re beginning to think they might \u2014 here\u2019s what you should know about low muscle tone in children:<\/p>\n
So, what exactly is poor muscle tone? Take a moment to relax your arm. Now, take your hand and pinch the relaxed arm\u2019s bicep. Do you notice the tension and tightness in your muscle? When someone has hypotonia, the muscle feels soft and offers little resistance (if any).<\/p>\n
Low muscle tone describes the amount of tension and resistance someone\u2019s muscles have while at rest. Muscles should hold a certain level of tightness even when at rest. There\u2019s a common misconception that children with hypotonia are weak \u2014 they can actually be quite strong! There\u2019s a difference between muscle tone and strength. Muscle strength can change throughout life, but low muscle tone can\u2019t really change.<\/p>\n
While hypotonia is technically a standalone condition, weak muscle tone is often a symptom of other conditions.<\/p>\n\n