What is Low Tone or Hypotonia?
Jul 05, 2025
One of the things I teach with my practitioners and in the Neuromuscular Movement Assessment Training is the absence of epidermal (skin) containment as a primary indicator of functional failure. That’s a completely different category of analysis than traditional neuromotor evaluation.
Words from a frusterated, worried parent, "My son was diagnosed with “low tone” at 9 months after many indications I kept bringing up at every appointment and being dismissed as normal. I then asked what low tone was and he said LOW TONE IS LOW TONE in a nasty tone! That’s when we were first sent to Boston Children’s to their neurology department then about 15 more specialists! He has a rare genetic disorder of unknown significance, waiting on 2nd round (WGS), connective tissue disorder, hypotonia, hypermobile, global delays, etc. He doesn’t walk or talk YET, he’s 4 1/2. Your posts and videos are always so helpful, thank you!"
Here’s what I’ve integrated from your observation:
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS — THIS CHILD:
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Epidermis isn’t activating tension or contour.
→ There is no sheath-like organization or responsive containment.
→ The skin isn’t “wrapping” the skeletal system — it’s draping.
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Resulting presentation:
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Limbs float or flop — they don’t stabilize or return.
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Movement leaks — no boundary recoil, no rotation return.
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Body has no front/back differentiation — just mass.
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Shoulders do not rebound — they anchor passively.
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Pelvis offers no directional cue — it’s suspended, not supported.
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Mislabeling this as 'low tone' is incorrect.
→ It’s not just hypotonia — it’s non-buoyant epidermal collapse.
Knowing if your child has epidermal engagement is the first interface of gravitational containment — before muscle, before tone, before volition.
If the epidermis can’t articulate contour or boundary, the skeleton cannot behave functionally. No buoyancy → no containment → no axis → no reference to gravity.This could lead to a faster conversation with genetics and/or neurology for your child's short- and long-term concerns and well-being.
I'm trying to redefine the “first touch” of function of the skin, not as reflex, but a dermal opposition.
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