Pediatric Hippotherapy for Hypertonia
in Pea Ridge, AR
If your child has high muscle tone, it can affect their development of key physical milestones like crawling, walking, and playing with others. At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional physical therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids improve their muscle tone for comfortable and effective movement.
What Is Hypertonia?
Hypertonia, or high muscle tone, is a condition where the muscles have too much tension when they are at rest. Good muscle tone is important because it helps children maintain their posture and be prepared for movement. When it is too high or too low, it can affect posture and make movement a big challenge.
Common Symptoms of Hypertonia
The most common symptoms of hypertonia in children include:
- Muscle stiffness that makes movement difficult
- Limited range of motion in joints
- Unusual posture and trouble holding the head upright
- Trouble with writing, dressing, or self-feeding
- Difficulty with crawling, walking, or sitting up
- Unusual walking patterns
- Pain or discomfort in the muscles
- Trouble with balance and coordination
How Pediatric Physical Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Hypertonia
Pediatric physical therapy on its own is already a fantastic treatment for children with hypertonia. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, children can achieve better outcomes in less time than with clinic-based treatment alone.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted physical therapy for your child:
1. It reduces muscle tension
The repetitive, gentle rocking motion of the horse combined with the warmth of its body can help release tension in tight muscles, which encourages more fluid movement. And as the child rides, their body’s natural response to the movement helps stretch tight muscles and prevent them from remaining in a tense state. This allows for improved joint mobility and muscle flexibility.
2. It stimulates key areas of the brain
A horse’s walking pattern closely resembles the natural movement of the human pelvis during walking. In a typical 20-minute session, the horse takes approximately 3,000 steps, which offers repetitive motion that supports the development of new neural pathways in the brain. This can help improve motor planning and coordination.
3. It improves muscle strength and posture
By riding the horse, children work on strengthening their core muscles and improving their postural stability. The horse’s motion challenges the child to engage their trunk, legs, and arms in response to the movement, which promotes better balance and control. It also gives children the opportunity to practice functional movements in a dynamic and engaging environment.
4. It’s fun!
The excitement of riding a horse motivates children to participate in their therapy sessions. This new and rewarding environment gives children a fun way to make progress in therapy so they can make lasting improvements on their physical skills for a lifetime of success.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can help your child with hypertonia? Take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation! During this consultation, you’ll speak with a member of the Unbridled Pediatric Therapy team who can answer your questions and explain how your child can benefit from equine-assisted physical therapy.
Give us a call at (479) 250-9838 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!
