subject: DEFEAT DMD WITH NEW APPROACH [print this page] With Duchenne, weakness is first noticed in the thigh muscles. Activities such as climbing stairs, getting up from the floor and running are affected. Poor balance combined with muscle weakness makes a child prone to falls. His knees may just "give way" without warning. In Duchenne, muscle fibres break down and are replaced by fibrous and/or fatty tissue causing the muscle to gradually weaken and lose its "stretchiness". It may also cause the muscle to look bulky. Some muscles weaken earlier than others, resulting in an imbalance of strength around the joints. These factors mean that joints stiffen and contractures may develop. In a young child with Duchenne contracture is most frequently seen in the ankle joint. At some stage, due to a combination of tightness and weakness of the trunk, hip and knee muscles, your child will start to walk on tip toes with his feet apart, his knees locked and his back arched. This method of walking is termed a "waddling gait".
As the weakness progresses (and the condition will always cause increasing weakness) mobility becomes more restricted and a child will tire more quickly. Falls will be more frequent and the use of a manual wheelchair may be required. Although initially weakness is seen in the legs, the arms are also affected. The pattern of weakness is known as proximal more at the hips and shoulders than in the hands and feet. During the primary school years the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm weaken and children start to have more difficulty raising their arms above their head. The trunk muscles are weak so maintaining a good sitting posture is not easy. Some children will develop a scoliosis (curvature of the spine) but this is usually more of a problem after the ability to walk is lost. By the age of 12 many children with Duchenne will need to use a wheelchair all the time . During the primary school years, a child's heart and lung function should be monitored.
It is important to maintain a child's mobility for as long as possible. Although he will eventually reach a point where mobility is lost there is much that can be done to prolong ambulation (walking). In a young child gentle encouragement to participate in physical activity is the order of the day. Keep activities fun. Panch Yoga and swimming are especially good activities. Panch Yoga involves the ayurvedic Panch Karma & Yoga support with the aim of maintaining maximum possible ability at every stage of the condition. Panch Yoga therapy is important during the primary school years to help maintain independent movement for as long as possible and to prevent contractures from developing. Panch Yoga mainly comprises of TMP procedure, Pawanmuktasa and Bhastrika Pranayama.
TMP is a special muscle empowering massage using extracts of Asparagus racemosus, Sida cordifolia, W. somnifera, Vitex negundo, Curcuma domestica, Berberis aristata, Cyperus rotundus, and Soymida febrifuda as additional ingredients to Til, Masha, unpolished rice and wheat bran, all cooked with milk. This procedure help to stabilize the Sarcolemma membrane defect in the muscle fibers. It also remove excess fat deposition in the muscle and increases muscle power. This therapy should be done twice a month. Yogic stretching and breathing exercises are usually done once or twice a day for 15 minutes at a time.
Rasayana suuplements help in regeneration of living tissues through restoration of cellular metabolism. Mamsagni Rasayana is found effective to stop further deterioration of muscles. Patient can notice effect within 6-8 weeks. It has the potential to address the underlying degenerative Neuro-muscular derangement causing destruction of the muscle fibers. It gives better results if used along with TMP ayurvedic therapy and Yogic support. Mamsagni Rasayana does not alter the patient's genetic code or introduce genetic materials into the body. It is natural product developed and being clinically used by AMDS India for Care through ayurvedic research project since 1995. This natural Rasayana supplement is safe for human consumption.
