Immediately after the baby was born, even in the delivery room, the neonatologist assesses muscle tone of the newborn. For what? To determine whether the changes that signal disease or injury of the nervous system.
muscle tone - residual muscle tension at a time when they are relaxed. There is a concept of physiological neonatal hypertonicity due to the posture of the embryo - a provision that took the baby in the mother's tummy. In this case, the muscle-flexors dominate: the handle bent and feet, fists clenched symmetrically, chin pressed against his chest. If you can easily straighten the limb and unclench fists, then gipertonus safe. As a rule, up to six months saline hypertonicity passes and muscle-flexors and extensors are working harmoniously.
Sometimes gipertonus it becomes an individual feature of the child and in this case examined by a neurologist. However, it also happens that the hypertonicity is defined as a pathology, and thus a symptom of the disease.
gipertonus - a violation of muscle tone of the body, which is expressed in muscle overexertion. The causes of hyper - fetal hypoxia during labor, a strong morning sickness during pregnancy, anemia, infections, increased intracranial pressure in consequence of birth trauma.
It is believed that the mother - best diagnostician, namely it can notice signs of hyper. It should be wary if:
• Your child does not sleep and during sleep hands and feet of his pursed, his head thrown back and back;
• «I learned to" keep your head up to one month of age;
• crying for a long time without cause, with his trembling chin;
• eats poorly and often vomits;
• The child's movement constraint, when you try to straighten limbs felt strong resistance.
When the first suspicion is necessary to address urgently to the pediatrician or neurologist for a complete examination.
As a rule, the main method of treatment is a massage, medical gymnastics, swimming. The main rule is that none of the treatments did not cause any discomfort and pain.
Massage. The main objective of massage movements - relax muscles, relieve spasms. Therefore, all movements must be gentle, smooth and soft. Mainly used stroking. Should be done by professional children's masseur. Apply a course of 10-15 sessions, repeatedly if necessary. Multiplicity and frequency determines the doctor, you can not interrupt the massage yourself, even if you think that the tone is normal. You can apply some massage techniques on their own at home, but for the proper performance of their need to consult with a specialist.
Swimming. Water treatments - one of the most effective methods of treating hyper. They perfectly relax muscles, relieve spasms, coordinated movement. With three weeks of age with a baby, you can swim in the large bathroom. The water temperature should be 37-38 degrees. You can use a special collar for swimming and decoctions of herbs.
Physiotherapy. One of the most common and accessible method is to exercise on fitball. Fitball - the ball must be without thorns. It not only eliminates hypertonicity, but also strengthens the back muscles, abdominals, legs, improves digestion, helps to optimize the coordination of movements.
Thus, mother's love, patience, breastfeeding combined with massage, swimming and gymnastics - and your diagnosis will last forever. Be healthy!
