Patient's question:
My daughter is now eight and a half months old. She can sit up steadily by herself, but she cannot roll from a prone position to a sitting one. I have observed that when she is in a prone position, her hands sometimes turn backward, even when her palms are flat in front, she cannot support her entire upper body. Moreover, when I hold her, her hands sometimes also move backward with her elbows. Is this a sign of high muscle tone?Doctor's answer:
Muscle tone is the foundation for maintaining various body postures and normal movement, and it manifests in multiple forms. For example, when a person is resting in a static position, the tension present in the muscles of different body parts is referred to as static muscle tone. If muscle tone is particularly high, muscle relaxants may be required. However, these should only be taken under the guidance of a doctor, as otherwise, it can be dangerous. In cases of elevated muscle tone, it is difficult for patients to exercise their joints and stand upright. After taking medication, muscle tone may decrease, but it is often challenging to achieve complete relief.