Understanding Low Muscle Tone in Children: It’s More Than Just “Weak Muscles”
If your child seems floppy, tires easily, slouches when sitting, or struggles with coordination, they may be dealing with low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia. But here’s what most parents aren’t told: low tone isn’t just a physical issue. More often than not, it’s a neurological one.
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we help Wellington families dig deeper to find the real reasons behind tone, strength, and motor coordination challenges, starting with the nervous system.
What Is Low Muscle Tone?
Muscle tone refers to the constant state of tension your muscles hold, even when resting. In children with hypotonia:
Their muscles feel soft or “mushy” to the touch
They often appear floppy, especially in infancy
They struggle with posture, core strength, or sitting upright
Milestones like crawling, walking, or climbing may be delayed
Physical activity drains them faster than their peers
They may avoid climbing, balancing, or sports
You might be told your child just needs more physical therapy, or that they’ll “grow out of it.” But in many cases, low tone is a sign of something deeper going on with the brain-body connection.
What Causes Low Tone? (Hint: The Nervous System)
While many health professionals treat low tone as a muscular problem, research and clinical experience point to a neurological root cause. That’s because muscle tone is controlled by the brain and spinal cord, not just the muscles themselves.
If the central nervous system is stressed, delayed, or out of balance, it can interrupt:
Postural tone
Balance and coordination
Proprioception (body awareness)
Motor planning
Reflex integration
Many children with low tone also experienced early stressors like birth trauma, developmental delays, or sensory processing challenges that may have left the nervous system stuck in “low gear.”
How Chiropractic Can Help Low Tone
At Healthy Families Chiropractic, we use advanced neurological scanning technology (INSiGHT scans) to identify how well your child’s nervous system is communicating with their muscles, joints, and brain.
Our specific, neurologically focused chiropractic care can help:
✅ Improve postural stability
✅ Enhance proprioception and balance
✅ Stimulate underactive motor pathways
✅ Support sensory-motor development
✅ Promote better coordination and endurance
✅ Regulate the nervous system overall
When the brain-body connection is restored, muscles respond, core strength improves, and movement becomes more natural and confident.
Take the First Step Toward Change
We start with a comprehensive consultation and INSiGHT scans to determine exactly what your child needs. From there, we create a personalised care plan to help your child thrive, not just in movement, but in confidence, coordination, and daily life.
If you’re ready to explore a natural, neurologically based solution to low tone, reach out to Healthy Families Chiropractic today. We’re here to support your family every step of the way.
