MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

What is Muscular Dystrophy? The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The disorders differ in terms of the distribution and extent of muscle weakness (some forms of MD also affect cardiac muscle), age of onset, rate of progression, and pattern of inheritance.

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Duchenne MD is the most common form of MD and primarily affects boys. It is caused by the absence of dystrophin, a protein involved in maintaining the integrity of muscle. Onset is between 3 and 5 years and the disorder progresses rapidly. Most boys are unable to walk by age 12, and later need a respirator to breathe. Girls in these families have a 50 percent chance of inheriting and passing the defective gene to their children. Boys with Becker MD (very similar to but less severe than Duchenne MD) have faulty or not enough dystrophin.

Facioscapulohumeral MD usually begins in the teenage years. It causes progressive weakness in muscles of the face, arms, legs, and around the shoulders and chest. It progresses slowly and can vary in symptoms from mild to disabling.

Myotonic MD is the disorder's most common adult form and is typified by prolonged muscle spasms, cataracts, cardiac abnormalities, and endocrine disturbances. Individuals with myotonic MD have long, thin faces, drooping eyelids, and a swan-like neck.

Is there any treatment?
There is no specific treatment to stop or reverse any form of MD. Treatment may include physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy, orthopaedic appliances used for support, and corrective orthopaedic surgery. Drug therapy is used to slow muscle degeneration, anticonvulsants to control seizures and some muscle activity, delay some damage to dying muscle cells, and antibiotics to fight respiratory infections. Some sufferers may need assisted ventilation to treat respiratory muscle weakness and a pacemaker for cardiac abnormalities.

Client reported benefits for Muscular Dystrophy include:

• Reduced pain levels by relaxing associated muscle tissue.
• Increased mobility and range of movement.
• Reduced Fluid Retention.

To read more about our therapy click here or to learn more about the general benefits of massage therapy click here

To see if you can receive similar or possibly even better results why not take us up on our offer of a free in-home demonstration.

Remember you have nothing to lose but your pain and just like many of our current clients in the years to come you could be reporting back to us your improved quality of life