Hypertonic vs Hypotonic Muscle Tone: What’s the Difference and How to Treat Them

If you have ever felt that your muscles are too stiff or too floppy, you may have experienced a condition called abnormal muscle tone. Muscle tone is the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle. It is controlled by signals that travel from the brain to the nerves and tell the muscles to contract. Normal muscle tone allows us to maintain good posture, balance, and coordination. It also gives us a springy feel when we touch our muscles, and some resistance when we move our joints. However, sometimes the muscle tone can be too high or too low, causing problems with mobility and function.

Hypertonic muscles are muscles that have too much tension or tone. They are often tight, rigid, or spastic, and they have difficulty relaxing. Hypertonic muscles can cause pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and muscle spasms. Some common examples of hypertonic muscles are the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hamstrings.

Hypotonic muscles are muscles that have too little tension or tone. They are often weak, flabby, or atrophied, and they have difficulty contracting. Hypotonic muscles can cause poor balance, coordination, stability, and strength. Some common examples of hypotonic muscles are the core, glutes, and calves.

Causes of Abnormal Muscle Tone

There are many possible causes of abnormal muscle tone, such as:

• Injury or trauma to the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles
• Genetic or congenital disorders, such as Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy
• Degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke
• Metabolic disorders, such as thyroid dysfunction or electrolyte imbalance
• Infections or inflammation, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or myositis
• Medications or drugs, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, or alcohol

Treatment Options for Abnormal Muscle Tone

The treatment for abnormal muscle tone depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Some common treatment options include:

• Physical therapy: This involves exercises and stretches to improve strength, flexibility, and function of the affected muscles. Physical therapists may also use techniques such as massage, heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or dry needling to reduce pain and spasm.
• Occupational therapy: This focuses on helping people with abnormal muscle tone perform daily activities more easily and independently. Occupational therapists may provide adaptive equipment, splints, braces, or orthotics to support the affected joints and muscles.
• Speech therapy: This helps people with abnormal muscle tone improve their communication and swallowing skills. Speech therapists may use exercises, strategies, or devices to enhance speech clarity and articulation.
• Medications: These may include muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, painkillers, or anti-inflammatories to reduce muscle tone and spasm.
• Surgery: This involves procedures that cut or lengthen the tendons or nerves that cause abnormal muscle contractions. Surgery can help reduce hypertonia in severe cases that do not respond to other treatments.

How Red Light Therapy Can Help with Abnormal Muscle Tone?

Red light therapy is a natural and non-invasive treatment that uses low-level lasers or LEDs to deliver wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to the skin and cells. Red light therapy has been shown to have various health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, pain, and oxidative stress, as well as improving wound healing, skin health, and collagen production.

Some studies have also suggested that red light therapy may help with abnormal muscle tone by enhancing muscle relaxation, blood circulation, and nerve regeneration. For example:

• A 2016 study found that red light therapy improved muscle tone and function in children with cerebral palsy1.
• A 2017 study found that red light therapy reduced spasticity and pain in patients with stroke2.
• A 2019 study found that red light therapy improved muscle strength and endurance in patients with Parkinson’s disease3.

However, more research is needed to confirm the long-term effects and safety of red light therapy for abnormal muscle tone. Red light therapy should not be used as a substitute for other treatments but as a complementary treatment that may enhance your results.

One of the advantages of red light therapy is that it can be done at home with a device such as a red light therapy belt4. A red light therapy belt is a flexible and adjustable device that wraps around your waist, hips, thighs, or arms and delivers red and near-infrared light to your target areas. It is easy to use, painless, and safe, as long as you follow the instructions and precautions.

Using a red light therapy belt for weight loss may help you achieve a more relaxed and comfortable state by stimulating muscle relaxation, blood circulation, and nerve regeneration. However, you should not expect to see dramatic results overnight. Red light therapy requires consistency and patience, as well as a balanced lifestyle, to achieve optimal outcomes.

If you are interested in trying red light therapy for abnormal muscle tone, you may want to consult your doctor first to make sure it is suitable for you. You may also want to do some research on the different types and brands of red light therapy belts available on the market and choose one that meets your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Abnormal muscle tone is a condition that affects many people with neurological disorders or injuries. It can cause various symptoms and complications that impair function and quality of life. The treatment of abnormal muscle tone depends on the cause, type, severity, and location of the condition. The main goals of treatment are to reduce pain and discomfort, improve function and mobility, prevent complications, and enhance quality of life.

Red light therapy is a promising treatment that may help with abnormal muscle tone by enhancing muscle relaxation, blood circulation, and nerve regeneration. However, it is not a magic bullet that can replace other treatments. Red light therapy should be used as a complementary treatment that may boost your results.

One way to use red light therapy at home is with a red light therapy belt. A red light therapy belt is a device that wraps around your target areas and delivers red and near-infrared light to your skin and cells. It is easy to use, painless, and safe, but it requires consistency and patience to see results.

Have you ever tried red light therapy for weight loss and abnormal muscle tone? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!