Role of physical therapy in treating muscle weakness or atrophy in children

Muscle weakness or atrophy in children may be the result of several different factors, and can greatly affect a child's movement and ability to perform daily activities. In this article, we review together the causes of muscle weakness or atrophy in children and how physical therapy helps in treating muscle weakness or atrophy.

Firstly: What is muscle weakness or atrophy in children?

Muscle weakness and atrophy in children is a condition characterized by loss of muscle strength and decreased muscle size.

The problem can be caused by several factors, including neurological diseases, genetic diseases, injuries, congenital abnormalities, and inflammatory diseases.

Neurological diseases

These include neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myotonic dystrophy (MD), cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. These diseases cause muscle weakness and atrophy as a result of damage to nerves or nerve tissue.

Genetic diseases

These include genetic diseases such as Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These diseases cause muscle deterioration and loss of strength over time.

Injuries and deformities

Direct muscle injuries or congenital abnormalities can cause muscle weakness and atrophy, either temporarily or permanently.

Inflammatory diseases

These include inflammatory diseases such as polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions cause muscle inflammation and deterioration over time.

Secondly: How does physical therapy help treat muscle weakness or atrophy?

Muscle atrophy in children is one of the problems that we need to resort to physical therapy in, to help children overcome this problem.. Children can be helped by using a number of different therapeutic techniques

We start by assessing the condition, then we determine the appropriate therapeutic approach and the treatment plan that is compatible with the condition, and this plan often depends on muscle strengthening exercises and training to improve balance, coordination, flexibility, range and range of motion, and of course teaching the child fall prevention techniques

Here are the most important steps we take to help children overcome the problem and determine the necessary therapeutic techniques and the area of their use

Muscle strengthening

Exercises are designed to strengthen damaged or weak muscles, which helps improve overall strength and function of the body.

Improve balance and coordination

Physical therapy includes exercises to improve balance and motor coordination, which enhances the ability to move with confidence and ease.

Improve flexibility and range of motion

Exercises to improve flexibility and increase range of motion are included in physical therapy programs, which helps improve muscle flexibility and improve movement.

Massage techniques:

Physical therapy uses massage techniques to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow to affected areas.

Contact us now

If you are looking for support and physical therapy for your child suffering from muscle weakness or atrophy, do not hesitate to contact us

We will assess the condition and develop a customized treatment plan that suits your child’s needs and achieves the best results.

We are here to help and improve your child’s quality of life.