Physical therapy: a savior for muscle dystrophy

 Muscle dystrophy

It is a disease in which patients muscles start to weaken and are gradually lost completely if left untreated

Types

It is of several types

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

It is common in boys and is common at an early age

• Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Almost similar to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but it progresses much slowly

• Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

A group of dystrophy including several muscles and can occur in various ages

• Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy

Present in men and women equally. It affects adults mostly

• Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

It develops in facial muscles of males and females of 20 to 40 years age group

• Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

It affects the lower extremities and upper extremities as well. It’s of almost more than 20 types. Affect men and women equally.

 There are several other types of dystrophy such as Emery–Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy, Distal Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy, Collagen Type VI-Related Disorders.
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Symptoms

Different types of muscular dystrophy affect different areas but symptoms are almost the same which includes diminished muscle function, fatigue, and muscle loss.

Treatment

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy but the best solution for this is regular sessions of physical therapy so that muscular dystrophy can be slowed down and reduced to a limit. Following a set of physical therapy, treatments are mostly used

• Stretching

Muscle dystrophy can reduce flexibility and stability and range of motion as well. Stretching exercises can help widen the range of motion and flexibility

• Excercise

Aerobic exercises such as swimming and waking help in resolving mobility issues but remember always ask your physical therapist first as some exercises may harm you instead of providing any benefit.

• Braces

As braces can help to maintain tooth position similarly it also helps to maintain tendon bones and muscles. It maintains the tone of muscles and helps in supporting weak muscles

• Mobility aids

Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and other specially designed medical aids can help to maintain mobility and body postures.

• Cardiac and respiratory therapy

Because of muscle weakness, muscles of the heart and respiratory tract also weaken. Different exercises and medical aids such as ventilators and pacemakers are used in this condition.

Conclusion

Muscular dystrophy can’t be cured fully and we can’t stop its progress in the body but we can slow down it by physical therapy treatments and also can achieve maximum stability and degree of mobilization in patients. With physical therapy, this disease becomes a lot easier to cope with but without physical therapy, it can leave you immobilized at very early stages