{"id":4000,"date":"2025-03-12T12:30:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T09:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/?post_type=arthra&p=4000"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T12:30:24","slug":"myikos-tonos-ypotonia-ypertonia-spastikotita","status":"publish","type":"arthra","link":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/myikos-tonos-ypotonia-ypertonia-spastikotita\/","title":{"rendered":"Muscle Tone: Hypotonia, Hypertonia & Spasticity"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Muscle Tone, Hypotonia and Hypertonia\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Child
What is muscle tone? Its role in posture, balance and movement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Muscle Tone<\/span><\/h3>\n

Muscle tone is the state of some degree of permanent contraction of the muscles at rest, which keeps the muscular system in readiness for any activity to be possible. Muscle tone decreases during sleep and disappears completely after death.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u039f <\/span>normal muscle tone<\/span><\/i> is the basis for normal posture and movement of the body. Thanks to muscle tone we are able to conquer the required <\/span>kinetic milestones<\/span><\/i> for our evolution and to accomplish complex activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypotonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u0397 <\/span>hypotonia<\/b> is the situation where <\/span>the muscle tone is lower<\/b> than normal. In this case, the passive movement of the body parts occurs without the presence of resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The muscles are more relaxed and weaker so that they cannot fully perform to execute motor patterns. The readiness of the muscles is insufficient and therefore they are slow to react.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, the child with hypotonia lacks the intention to move and therefore delays his\/her motor development. For example, the child is characterised by difficulty sitting down, does not get up easily, prefers to lie down and does not move around enough to explore and play.<\/span>\u03b9<\/span>.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Difficulty controlling the body can lead to frustration and strong reactions to the the child's behaviour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hypertonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u0397 <\/span>hypertonia<\/b> is the situation where <\/span>the muscle tone is higher<\/b> than normal. In hypertonia, there is increased resistance to passive movement of the body parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The muscles appear stiffer and make it more difficult to successfully perform a movement. Their hyperexcitability does not mean that they are stronger, as the difficulty it creates inhibits the execution of movements, so that the muscles are not activated as much as they should be and therefore do not get stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

That is, in trying to catch a toy, a child with hypertonia may not execute the movement perfectly and may not be able to reach the toy or open his\/her palm too much to catch it because of the resistance he\/she encounters from his\/her muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms and Causes\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Child
Muscle tone disorders affect posture and movement, requiring specialized rehabilitation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Muscle tone disorders are usually the result of damage to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or a disorder of the muscles themselves, or may co-exist as symptoms in some syndromes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They may co-exist as symptoms in some syndromes or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as in autism<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Common disorders that muscle tone disorders are found are<\/span> cerebral palsy, cerebrovascular accidents, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, Down's syndrome, Angelman syndrome and myopathies.<\/b><\/p>\n

Read more about common neurological disorders <\/span>by clicking on the link<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypotonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u0397 <\/span>hypotonia <\/b>is characterized by<\/span> loose muscles<\/b> and super flexibility of the joints with increased range of motion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Low muscle excitability is not associated with the<\/span> muscle weakness<\/b>, but which is caused by the <\/span>of altered motor activity<\/b> of the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, hypotonia is associated with delayed motor development, more often in children who were born prematurely<\/a> , reduced balancing and protective reactions, low muscle readiness, high base of support in the upright position, reduced muscular endurance and muscle strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There is also a lack of body awareness and difficulties in fine motor skills and coordination of movements. This means that a child with hypotonia will be delayed in sitting, crawling, standing up and walking, and is more at risk of injury due to the absence of protective reactions. He is also not motivated to play because he has difficulty controlling his body. Difficulties in body awareness and coordination are often related to issues sensory processing<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypertonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

The overtone <\/b>is characterized by <\/span>stiff muscles<\/b>s, limited joint range of motion and increased tendon reflexes. Muscle stiffness may also result in pain during stretching due to changes in muscle fibre contraction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the balancing and protective reactions are usually absent or quite reduced due to the inability of the muscles to react directly. Motor development is delayed, motor patterns appear in an abnormal manner of execution, eventually affecting not only gross and fine movement but also fine movement and coordination of movements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Relationship with spasticity<\/span><\/h3>\n

In hypertonia we find 2 main categories, the <\/span>spasticity<\/b> and the <\/span>dystonia<\/b>. In the former, there is increased resistance to sudden passive movement of the upper or lower limbs of the body which then decreases, while in the latter resistance to passive movement is continuous and does not decrease at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spasticity<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Microscopic
Spasticity affects muscle function, causing stiffness and difficulty in movement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u0397 <\/span>spasticity<\/b> is a category of hypertonia in which the main characteristic is increased resistance to sudden passive movement of a body part that then subsides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Spasticity is usually found in children with<\/span> cerebral palsy<\/b> or after head injuries and in vascular strokes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with spasticity there are usually increased tendon reflexes, abnormal reflexes, clonic spasms and delay in the development of a child's motor development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A characteristic of spasticity is that it affects specific muscle groups. In the upper limbs, it affects the <\/span>cranks<\/span><\/i> (the muscles that help to grip something or bring something close to you) and in the lower limbs, the <\/span>extending<\/span><\/i> (the muscles that help kick a ball), i.e. those that act against gravity by supporting the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, because of this muscle tone disorder, movement patterns are performed in an abnormal way resulting in <\/span>movements<\/b> be <\/span>clumsy<\/b>, <\/span>uncoordinated<\/b> and often unsuccessful in completing them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The child with <\/span>spastic muscles<\/span><\/i> has difficulty controlling its centre of gravity so <\/span>will be late to sit and walked<\/span><\/i>i, he has difficulty separating the upper and lower part of his body so <\/span>will be late to crawl and stand up<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It will also be difficult to play due to the inability to make the appropriate movements as the muscles do not fully obey the child's will.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the management of spasticity and the promotion of a child's motor development, individualised physiotherapy programmes from <\/span>specialised paediatric physiotherapists<\/b> as well as aids that prevent abnormal positions of the limbs due to increased muscle tone, such as splints, braces and orthoses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>exercises<\/span><\/a> that help to manage spasticity include stretching to reduce stiffness, upper and lower limb strengthening exercises and target-specific exercises (e.g. catching a toy). In this way we aim to train the brain of the correct motor patterns it should reproduce.<\/span><\/p>\n

The aim of physiotherapy is to train the child to improve his\/her movement patterns, prevent any complications and shortness, strengthen and improve his\/her strength and balance, all of which is ultimately aimed at achieving functional independence.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Deal with the Situations\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\""Children
\u201cThe treatment of muscle tone disorders involves therapeutic approaches that enhance mobility and function.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u0397 <\/span>physiotherapy<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>construction site<\/span><\/a> play a key role in the treatment of muscle tone disorders using appropriate and personalized exercises for each child, providing valuable advice to parents to better manage their child's needs at home and thus enhance the therapeutic effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment of hypotonia<\/span><\/h4>\n