Physiotherapy
The treatment of muscular dystrophy through physiotherapy is adapted individually from patient to patient according to the progress of the disease, the general condition of the patient and the type of muscular dystrophy. However, the primary goal of physiotherapy is always to maintain and improve the patient’s mobility as much as possible and to prevent the development of incorrect posture. A large part of the therapy therefore involves physiotherapy with various exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles as well as endurance exercises to improve the basic condition of the patient.
The treating physiotherapist will draw up a patient-specific training plan for this purpose, which must first be carried out consistently under supervision, but later also on his own initiative at home. In addition to the exercises, group therapy can also take place, in which the patients can exchange experiences with other patients and psychosocial aspects are also covered by the joint training. In addition, manual therapy techniques, pressure-tapping massages and other procedures such as electrostimulation and heat and cold stimulation can be used to stimulate the muscles, so that pain can be felt and the training has a better effect.Comprehensive information on this topic can be found in this article: Physiotherapy for Muscular Dystrophy
Progressive muscular dystrophy therapy
No matter what form of progressive muscular dystrophy is present, the therapy is primarily symptomatic. This is especially due to the fact that the exact mechanisms of the cause of the disease have not yet been clarified, but it is certain that they are hereditary. In order to provide patients with progressive muscular dystrophy with relief from the disease, there are various therapeutic approaches that can be considered.
These include, for example, drug therapy to control pain and stop inflammatory processes. Often cortisone is used, but there is no drug of choice and this is determined by the doctor on a case-by-case basis. The second major pillar of therapy is physiotherapy.
Through regular physiotherapy with movement training, posture school, specific exercises for strengthening, stabilization and balance as well as other techniques such as tapping pressure massage or electrotherapy, the aim is to enable the patient to lead a normal life for as long as possible by maintaining the mobility and strength of the muscles as long as possible. It is important that the training is approached gently so that the diseased musculature does not suffer additional damage. The last pillar of the therapy is the psychotherapeutic care of the patient, where they learn to accept the disease and get help in coping with the psychological stress that the disease brings with it. Therapy in a self-help group can also be useful in this context.