Physiotherapy in brain Tree child development centre

Hypotonia and Physiotherapy: A Detailed Overview ⸻ 🧠 What is Hypotonia? Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, is a condition where muscles feel unusually soft and have reduced tension, leading to floppy or weak movements. It is not a disease itself but a symptom of various underlying neurological, genetic, or developmental disorders such as: • Cerebral palsy • Down syndrome • Prader–Willi syndrome • Muscular dystrophy • Developmental coordination disorder Children with hypotonia often have delayed motor milestones, such as rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking. ⸻ ⚠️ Common Signs of Hypotonia • Floppy posture (“rag doll” appearance) • Poor head and trunk control • Joint hypermobility (excessive flexibility) • Weak sucking or feeding difficulties (in infants) • Delayed gross and fine motor development • Poor endurance and posture while sitting or standing • Difficulty with balance and coordination ⸻ 💪 Physiotherapy Goals for Hypotonia Physiotherapy aims to improve muscle strength, postural control, balance, and overall motor function. Primary goals include: 1. Enhancing postural stability and core strength 2. Promoting motor milestone achievement (rolling, sitting, standing, walking) 3. Improving balance and coordination 4. Increasing muscle endurance and functional movement 5. Facilitating independent mobility and participation in daily activities ⸻ 🏃‍♀️ Physiotherapy Techniques and Approaches 1. Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDTBobath Approach) • Focuses on improving postural control and facilitating normal movement patterns through guided handling and positioning. 2. Strengthening Exercises • Use of play-based resistance (therapy balls, elastic bands, weight-bearing activities) • Activities like pushing, pulling, crawling, or climbing 3. Core Stability Training • Exercises to improve trunk strength: • Sitting on therapy ball • Reaching activities in sitting or kneeling • Plank, bridge, and side-lying balance tasks 4. Balance and Coordination Training • Standing on balance boards or wobble cushions • Walking on uneven surfaces or obstacle courses • Throwing and catching activities to improve coordination 5. Proprioceptive and Vestibular Stimulation • Swinging, bouncing, or rolling activities for sensory feedback • Improves awareness of body position and muscle tone regulation 6. Weight-Bearing Activities • Encourages muscle activation and joint stability • Examples: Quadruped (on all fours), standing with support, supported walking 7. Functional Task Training • Practicing daily movements like sitting to standing, stair climbing, and reaching • Promotes strength within meaningful activities 8. Taping or Orthotic Support (if required) • Kinesio taping for postural correction and proprioceptive feedback • Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to stabilize joints and improve walking pattern ⸻ 👶 Therapy Frequency • Early intervention is critical. • Sessions are usually 2–4 times per week depending on severity. • Ongoing reassessment every 2–3 months helps adjust goals as the child progresses. ⸻ 🧠 Interdisciplinary Approach Children with hypotonia benefit from collaborative care: • Physiotherapist → Strength, posture, gross motor skills • Occupational therapist → Fine motor and sensory integration • Speech therapist → Oral motor tone and feeding skills • Special educator → Classroom posture and learning adaptations