Neuromuscular Disorders

What are neuromuscular disorders?

Neuromuscular disorders impact the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, as well as the skeletal muscles in the chest area, arms, and legs.

These disorders can remain unchanging over time (static) or gradually worsen (progressive). Common neuromuscular disorders include: 

• Muscular dystrophy
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome

Muscle and nerve disorders are usually linked to genetic abnormalities that impair normal protein production. While there’s usually no cure for these conditions, A Grade Therapy can decrease the disorder’s severity, slow symptom progression, and maximize your child’s ability to function.

What are the symptoms of neuromuscular disorders?

Depending on your child’s condition, they may experience:

Muscle weakness

This refers to difficulty moving a limb or joint due to a lack of strength. It can impact their muscles in general or only specific ones, particularly in the early stages of the disorder.

Issues with muscle tone

Instead of how strong a muscle is, muscle tone is the amount of tension or resistance in a muscle that’s resting or relaxed. Low tension could indicate an underlying issue.

Developmental delays

Neuromuscular disorders can delay the development of motor skills in infants and children. For example, they may be slow to attempt rolling, crawling, or walking, or struggle to learn those skills. They may also have difficulty swallowing, drinking, eating, or talking.

Secondary conditions

Nerve and muscle disorders can worsen, particularly if unmanaged, and can cause joint or muscle stiffness, trouble eating or breathing, and spinal or skeletal deformities. Seeking help as soon as possible helps mitigate the likelihood of your child developing secondary conditions.

What can I expect during my child’s treatments for neuromuscular disorders?

While most neuromuscular disorders are incurable, A Grade Therapy aims to avoid or lessen secondary issues and improve your child’s quality of life with consistent therapies. Aaron carefully tailors your child’s care plan to their current capabilities and uses fun, child-friendly activities to work toward future goals.

Your child can benefit from supportive treatments and individualized care. To learn more about how Aaron approaches neuromuscular disorders, call A Grade Therapy today to schedule your in-home or virtual appointment.