Hypotonia (Low Tone) in Hawley

Is your baby having trouble latching on to the bottle? Is your child delayed in meeting motor milestones? Hypotonia is a condition where muscles have decreased tone that makes it difficult to effectively perform a variety of motor tasks.

Having hypotonia isn’t the same as having weak muscles, however hypotonia can certainly make it difficult for a child to use the affected muscles.

If your child has hypotonia, you may notice they feel very limp in your arms. This is where the common phrase “floppy infant syndrome” comes from. Most often, doctors can diagnose this condition immediately after a child is born, but it may develop up until a child is 6 months old.

ElmTree Physical Therapy in Hamlin, Hawley and Honesdale, PA offers pediatric physical therapy for hypotonia and other muscle-related weaknesses. Your child’s well-being is important to us, and we want to help them enjoy the most fulfilling childhood possible. Contact our clinic today to learn more.

Causes and Symptoms of Pediatric Hypotonia

Hypotonia can be a part of many known disorders or occur on its own, in that case, it is called idiopathic or benign hypotonia. Some conditions related to hypotonia include:

• Down syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Spina bifida
• Prematurity
• Brain injury

Children with hypotonia may have decreased control of their neck muscles, which makes their heads flop unsteadily. Their arms and legs do not bear weight typically, and they also will experience difficulty drinking from bottles or swallowing.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Child

Here at ElmTree Physical Therapy, our pediatric therapists understand and know how to treat a variety of issues and delays caused by hypotonia.

Our pediatric therapists in Hamlin, Hawley and Honesdale, PA are movement specialists who are trained to help your child improve their fine motor skills, gain control over their movements, and strengthen and tone their muscles over time.

When you bring your child in for an assessment, our therapists will review his or her medical history, observe their muscle tone, overall mobility, motor skills, sensory skills, reflexes, coordination, balance, and more in order to create a plan of treatment to help their condition.

Contact Our Clinic Today

If your child was diagnosed with hypotonia, or you suspect your child might be struggling with muscle weakness, don’t hesitate to contact ElmTree Physical Therapy today to consult with one of our pediatric physical therapists.

We will assess your child’s specific needs and create a customized plan for their recovery journey. We take our patient’s progress very seriously, and will make it our priority to help your child gain as much independence as possible as they grow. Contact us today to make an appointment.