Pediatric Physical Therapy for Hypertonia
in Newport Beach & Torrance, CA
Does your child’s body feel unusually rigid, or do their arms and legs seem hard to bend? Are your baby’s diaper changes difficult because their legs stay stiff or their muscles don’t relax? These can be signs of hypertonia, a condition where the muscles stay tighter than usual, making movement feel rigid even at rest.
At Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc., our pediatric physical therapists can help reduce muscle stiffness, improve flexibility, and build the movement skills your child needs to explore their world with greater comfort and ease.
What Is Hypertonia?
Hypertonia occurs when the brain has difficulty sending clear signals that tell muscles when to relax. This results in increased muscle tone, causing the muscles to feel stiff or tight even at rest. This persistent tightness can make it harder for your child to bend their joints, change positions, or reach important milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking.
Hypertonia is more common in children who were born prematurely or who have conditions like cerebral palsy, though it can also occur without a clear cause.
Signs of Hypertonia in Children
Signs of hypertonia often appear early in childhood and may include:
- Having stiff arms and legs that are difficult to bend
- Keeping hands in fists or having trouble opening them
- Holding muscles tight even when resting or sleeping
- Having difficulty changing positions, such as moving from sitting to standing
- Moving with jerky or uneven patterns
- Struggling with balance while standing or walking
How Physical Therapy Helps with Hypertonia
At Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc., our pediatric physical therapists will develop an individualized treatment plan for your child that helps improve flexibility, supports range of motion, and reduces muscle tightness so everyday movement feels smoother and more comfortable.
Therapy sessions incorporate engaging, age-appropriate activities that encourage flexibility, coordination, and smoother movement patterns in ways that feel supportive rather than overwhelming. We also work closely with parents, providing simple positioning and movement strategies to help reinforce progress at home. Although hypertonia typically does not resolve on its own, early physical therapy can help your child move more freely or reach for a favorite toy with greater ease.
Why Choose Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc.
For nearly 20 years, Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc. has provided high-quality physical therapy to children in the Newport Beach and Torrance, CA, areas. Our therapists take a holistic approach to care, which means we look at your child’s whole development and create treatment plans thoughtfully customized to their individual strengths and needs. Our goal is to help your child feel supported, motivated, and safe as they build the movement skills that help them participate more comfortably and confidently in daily life.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
If you are concerned your child may be showing signs of hypertonia, call (949) 955-0010 (Newport Beach), (310) 921-8797 (Torrance), email admin@steppingstonestherapy.org, or fill out our online contact form to schedule an evaluation. We look forward to helping your child move more freely and comfortably.