High Tone: Our Nemesis

Hey all :)

A part of what challenges Huxleys mobility is his varying muscle tone. It is very common for children with HIE to have challenges regarding their muscle tone. Huxley has whats called 'mixed tone' but what causes the most trouble for him is his 'high tone.'

High Tone (Hypertonia): 

  – increased muscle tone or tension (stiff or rigid limbs)

Low Tone (Hypotonia): 

– decreased muscle tone or tension (flaccid, relaxed, or floppy limbs)

 

This photo of Huxley shows his high tone in action, although it can be much worse then this. Notice how clenched his little toes are, his hand is fisted and pulled into his chest. Sitting is a trigger for Hux, it is very hard work for him. His high tone is activated when he is excited, upset, or trying to use his hands. Huxleys low tone shows up in weaker trunk and neck muscles. Thankfully Huxleys neck control has gotten so much better but he is still comfy with dropping his head back. We learned early on that the most important thing to do with Hux is to break the pattern of high tone. Huxley extends or 'arches' himself backwards so we work hard to help him find flexion instead. It is a work in progress and with therapy and research we are able to help Huxley overcome these obstacles.  

 

We are using this carrier to help Huxley get used to having pressure on his back and the back of his head which are also triggers for him. It is just one piece of a plethora of equipment that we have to help Huxley achieve greatness :)