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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Neurological Rehabilitation

Muscle tone

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, muscle tone means: The natural level of tension in a resting muscle, felt as resistance when the physiotherapist moves a relaxed limb.

In Turkish: kas tonusu

How it is used

Assessed in neurological patients. High tone (hypertonia) includes spasticity and rigidity; low tone (hypotonia) feels floppy. Notes say 'increased tone in the left upper limb'. In gyms, 'tone' means muscles looking firm and defined, which is a different, everyday meaning.

Example sentences

  1. Muscle tone is increased in his right leg, especially in the calf.

  2. Babies with low muscle tone may be late to sit and crawl.

Common collocations

  • increased tone
  • low tone
  • high tone
  • assess muscle tone
  • spasticityIncreased stiffness and tightness in muscles caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord, which gets stronger the faster the muscle is stretched.
  • hemiplegiaParalysis or severe weakness of one side of the body, most often caused by a stroke.
  • Parkinson's diseaseA progressive neurological condition in which the brain loses cells that make dopamine, causing slowness, stiffness, tremor and problems with balance.
  • strokeDamage to part of the brain caused when its blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, often leading to weakness and problems with speech or balance.

More terms: Neurological Rehabilitation

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.