Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that cause progressive degeneration and weakness of the body’s muscle system. Although the disease typically first manifests in early childhood, some people experience symptoms in their 20s or 30s. Over time, the ailment worsens, and the patient becomes unable to walk or care for them. Some people can go years without experiencing severe symptoms.

Muscular dystrophy runs in families. It is caused by a genetic mutation and exhibits either an X-linked autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive pattern. The gene prevents the synthesis of proteins needed for the development of healthy muscles.

Males with muscular dystrophy receive the defective gene from their mothers. The condition must be present in both parents for a female to develop muscular dystrophy.

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophies are divided into groups based on the disease’s development, symptoms, and other factors. The symptoms of the most prevalent type of muscular dystrophy are:

1. Duchene muscular dystrophy

It is an X-linked autosomal recessive condition that typically affects males between the ages of 3 and 5. The symptoms consist of:

• Difficulty in walking, running and jumping
• Stiffness and pain in muscles
• Problems in getting up from a lying and sitting position.
• Mental impairment.
• Walking on toes.
• Quick falls.

2. Becker muscular dystrophy

It is an X-linked recessive condition that manifests from early childhood into maturity in a less severe form. The symptoms consist of:

• Difficulty in getting up from floor
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle weakness in legs and arms.

3. Limb-girdle Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

This autosomal dominant and recessive muscular dystrophy affects both sexes equally. The onset ranges from late in the first to late in the fourth decade. The symptoms consist of:

• Progressive shoulder and pelvic muscle weakness.
• Diaphragm weakness.
• Muscle cramps are present.

 4 . Myotonic Dystrophy

Dystrophia myotonica is another name for Stemert’s disease. The symptoms consist of:

• Due to the atrophy and weakness of the temporalis, masseter, and facial muscles, the patient has a “hatchet-faced” appearance.
• In men, frontal balding is common.
• Problem in lifting neck due to muscle weakness
• Patient experiences dysarthric speech, swallowing issues, and poor vision.
• Intellectual impairment, increased sleep, cataracts, insulin resistance, and decreased oesophageal and colonic motility.
• Weight loss

Ayurvedic Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy

In Ayurveda, there is no direct relationship between muscular dystrophy. It can be referred to as Mamsa dosha. The disease’s pathophysiology can be categorised as “adibala pravit,” which is a condition brought on by problems in sperm (sukra) and ovum (sonita) with mamsagata vata owing to channel obstruction (srotas). Vata dosha and Sapta dhatu are out of balance, which causes this to happen.

A key factor in the development of muscular dystrophy is the vitiated vata dosha. Rasadi dhatus, particularly mamsa and medo dhatus, obstruct the Vata dosha. As a result, mamsa and medo-dhatus increase and decrease.The corresponding muscles’ nerve supply is deprived of nutrients as a result, and the muscles become inactive. Weakness is caused by inadequate nutrient absorption, which happens when the Agni (digestive fire) is compromised at the dhatu level.

How Ayurvedic Medicine Treats Muscular Dystrophy

The correction of Agni and Vata doshas is necessary for the management of muscular dystrophy. The disease can’t be completely cured, only the symptoms can be managed and theprogression can be slowed.

Certain ayurvedic medicine supplements that are nourishing in nature, pacify vata dosha must be administered.

The doshas that are vitiated can be eliminated by the administration of Panchakarma therapies such as:

• Oil massage (Abhyangam) – The Ayurvedic massage, induced with various high value ayurvedic oils, will treat the whole body, physically and mentally, strengthening the nervous system and nourishing the body from inside.
• Udwartanam – This is a special ayurvedic massage in which herbal powders like Udwartanam are used to massage the body against the direction of the hair follicles with more pressure.
• Njavara kizhi – This is a distinct Ayurvedic massage using Njavara (Shashtika Shali) or cooked rice mixed with milk and herbal extracts of Kurumthotti (Sida Rhombifolia) tied in kizhis. These kizhis are dipped in medicated Ayurvedic oils and will be applied all over the body or a specific part of the body to induce sudation (perspiration).
• Kashaya Vasti – This procedure involves administration of enema as a medicated decoction. It is performed in an empty stomach
• Anuvasana Vasti – “Anuvasana” means to stay. This process involves the administration of oils and fats through through the intra-rectal route. The medicines remain in the intestine or bladder, or uterus for a long time thus detoxifying the body without any side-effects
• Ela kizhi – Elakizhi or kizhi massage in Ayurveda is said to be a highly rejuvenating process.  The massage are done with the leaves fried in herbal oils. These leaves are then tied to a linen cloth forming a pouch. The massage process helps to improve blood circulation and perspiration, which helps commence the detox process.

Importance of Yoga in Muscular Dystrophy

Yoga therapy has also shown to improve a muscular dystrophy patient’s digestion and aid the elimination of toxins. People suffering from muscular dystrophy find it very hard to perform their daily activities including walking and sitting. By regular practicing and performing simple and static yoga positions and  breathing techniques can improve blood circulations and strengthens the weak muscles thereby providing a complete relaxation and improve physical and psychological benefits for patients suffering from this condition. By performing these yoga therapies, their inner strength can be improved over time. This helps in reducing stress levels of patients and keeping their minds calm and relaxed.

By the above therapeutic procedures, the toxins get eliminated, muscle and nerve fibres get strengthened, and the flexibility of the body increases. Along with this yoga and meditation can be practiced at home for better management.

Lifestyle modifications

• Avoid vigorous massages because they can cause muscle damage.
• Don’t gain too much weight.
• Practice physical therapy.
• Scoliosis and other deformities can be controlled with braces.
• Family screening is necessary.
• The diet must include high protein, low fat, and low carbohydrate.
• Avoid processed food, coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol as much as possible.

Conclusion

Ayurveda aims at treating the root cause of the disease rather than treating the symptoms. At Ayurclinic Melbourne, we provide safe and effective treatment therapies for muscular dystrophy to reduce the stress on muscles reduce pain and stiffness, to slow down the muscle weakness and building up new muscles thereby improving the quality of life.

By taking all the preventive measures, our dedicated team of doctors manages this condition with special care. We provide customized treatments as per individual patient condition. We also ensure our patients a complete rejuvenation of mind and soul to feel a better individual and provide all round support and care to our patients.

To know more about the treatment plan and cost, book an appointment now.