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HYPERTONIA AND PHYSICAL THERAPY *
Author(s) -
CROSLAND J. H.
Publication year - 1959
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1959.tb08846.x
Subject(s) - hypertonia , muscle tone , tonicity , weakness , physical medicine and rehabilitation , paresis , muscle weakness , medicine , physical therapy , anesthesia , anatomy , surgery
SUMMARY Physical therapy can modify hypertonia per se. It can to a variable extent modify the effect that the hypertonic muscle has on limb function. A clear distinction should be drawn between the paresis of hypertonic muscle and the weakness of normal muscle, and the increased weakness of hypotonic muscle when stretched for long periods. Where there is increased tone, stretching helps. Where there is decreased tone, stretching is harmful. Physical therapy can increase the power of hypertonic muscle once the hypertonus has been modified.