The slogan "muscle tension disorders" in an infant is of great concern to parents. And the problem is not so terrible if it is recognized quickly. Usually, regular exercises performed at home and under the supervision of a physiotherapist as well as skilful carrying, changing and caring for the child are enough.
Eachchilddevelops at its own pace. One turns from the belly to the back a bit earlier, the other is more likely to lift the head or sit down. However, if the doctor notices something disturbing in a child's development, parents should calmly consult a neurologist instead of panicking. Sometimes just to be told that everything is fine. The statement "abnormalmuscle tone " does not mean that there is something wrong withmuscles . They are not sick, badly built or not developed properly. The problem lies in the nervous system and its cooperation with the muscular system. It's just that something is malfunctioning in the path of a nerve impulse from the brain to the muscles, causing the muscles to overreact or under-respond to that impulse.
Problem with muscle tension
Do you remember what your baby looks like in the first weeks after birth? He seems to be all tense, shrunken. His legs and handles are bent at all joints, and his hands are clenched into fists. This is because at this age the tension in the flexor muscles prevails. This is the correct course of the baby's adaptation to new conditions and the result of natural immaturity. However, gradually, from day to day, from week to week, the baby's movements become less chaotic, more fluid, and the baby's muscles seem to relax. A three-month-old chick, lying on his tummy, can now push his forearms under his chest to support his torso and lift his head. Both its handles and legs are no longer bent as much as 2-3 months ago. At 4-5 months, the baby plays with the hands, grasps the toys freely and does not constantly clench the hands into fists. Sometimes, however, the doctor, while observing the child's reflexes, manner of movement and body system, notices something disturbing in his motor development during check-up visits. Then he talks about the problem with muscle tension.
It is better not to underestimate the problem of muscle tension
Do not underestimate this opinion, even if you feel nothing to worry abouthappening because "you know your child best". But don't panic when your doctor tells you that a pediatric neurologist consultation is essential. There is a rule in this matter: it's better to be safe than sorry. The doctor in the clinic sees the child for a quarter of an hour and sometimes his observations may not be entirely accurate. But that doesn't mean that he is unfamiliar with his job or made a mistake. Simply put, a child's attitude and behavior can be influenced by various factors: hunger, lack of sleep, irritability, a garment tag, inappropriate ambient temperature, pain or a seemingly banal runny nose. But if the doctor sees something disturbing, the little one has to go to a neurologist, if only to be told that nothing is wrong. It may also turn out that the doctor has discovered seemingly subtle irregularities, which, if noticed in time, will prevent further negative consequences.
The neurologist will assess the problem with muscle tension
A neurologist has more experience in examining the development of the nervous system of children than a general practitioner. The specialist will then examine the baby, assess its development, reflexes, and check the muscle tone. If something worries him, he will have a pre-period ultrasound performed. Such a test is safe, painless and does not require any special preparation. It allows you to assess the baby's brain. Problems with muscle tone may be one of the symptoms of, for example, intracranial bleeding. Usually, however, the test is correct.
Rehabilitation necessary in the case of muscle tension disorders
If during the examination of the child the neurologist confirms problems with tension, he will refer the child for rehabilitation. A child's brain does not have permanently encoded inappropriate patterns of muscle tone and body positioning. It is still plastic. That is why, regularly performed appropriate exercises teach the muscles to work properly. These then send information to the brain that you need to change bad patterns for good. It also helps the brain learn to "follow the right path". Rehabilitation retunes the improper cooperation of the nervous system with the muscles and indicates the right directions for further development, so that this cooperation is already on the right track. Then you only need to strengthen the corrected cooperation of the brain and muscles with appropriate exercises performed at home. This is a task for parents who should regularly exercise their child to support its development.
ImportantObservation - action
Be vigilant. Watch the baby and be sure to tell the doctor when your baby is:
- after the first month is over, he bends backwards, making a bridge, constantly bends his torso to one side, has "floating" eyes (i.e. nystagmus), his muscles are so tense thatyou hardly put them on, take a bath, change them after 3 months, does not raise the head, lying on his tummy, does not focus his eyes when you lean over him and talk to him, when raised on his hands, he does not control the head, he still clenches his fists, not opening them even during having fun or taking a bath
- after half a year he clenches his hands into fists, does not twist to the sides, squeezes his toes like a ballerina, does not grab toys, does not play with his hands, does not raise his feet to his mouth, does not lean on his stomach on the arms straightened in the elbows
- whenever he sleeps restlessly, he chokes frequently while eating, he overreacts to any stimulus, and then it is difficult to calm and calm him down, his legs are still crossed or straightened.
Methods of rehabilitation of muscle tension disorders
In Poland, you can most often meet two methods of rehabilitation: NDT (Neuro Development Treatment), also known as the Bobath method, and the Vojta method. Experts argue which one is better. This dispute is a bit unjustified, because these methods are best suited to the nature and severity of the abnormalities in the child and his sensitivity. The methods can also be combined by selecting the elements appropriate for a specific child. But the work of a rehabilitator is not enough. Parental cooperation is essential. This is the key to success. The physiotherapist will show you how to carry your baby every day, in what position to feed it, how to play with it and what exercises to do at home. The daily sensitive touch of parents, stroking and showing the child that they are loved is also extremely important.
Remember that:
- asymmetry in the position of the baby in the first 6 weeks of life is something natural, if it does not occur all the time and the side of bending and twisting the baby changes
- in the first quarter of a child's life, his leg or chin may occasionally tremble - this is nothing to worry about, as long as the shaking stops when touched
- the baby does not have to like every position, but should allow him to be arranged in different positions, without permanently preferring one of them.
"M jak mama" monthly