Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited muscle diseases, in which muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage and become progressively weaker.
In the late stages of the disease, fat and connective tissue often replace muscle fibers.
This disease commonly appears to be due to a genetic deficiency of the muscle protein, dystrophin.
This group of diseases includes Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, Becker's muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy (also known as Steinert's disease), facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (also known as Landouzy-Dejerine dystrophy), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, distal muscular dystrophy and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.
The Ayurvedic treatment of muscular dystrophy is aimed at treating the basic pathology of the disease, preventing or reducing further progress of the disease, preventing or reducing disability and prolonging survival.
Medicines which act on the muscle tissue are used in this condition.
These medicines include Yograj-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Trayo-Dashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Tapyadi-Loh, Agnitundi-Vati, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Abhrak-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma and Suvarna-Bhasma.
Regular massage of the entire body is also believed to help in strengthening the muscles.
Medicated oils are used for this purpose, which include Mahanarayan oil, Mahamash oil, and Mahasaindhav oil.
Massage is followed by medicated steam fomentation of Dashmool Qadha (decoction) and Nirgundi Qadha.
Another important group of medicines which has high therapeutic value in the treatment of muscular dystrophy is the category which acts on the 'Mansa' dhatu (tissue).
These medicines include Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits) and Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica).
These medicines have to be given in very high doses for prolonged periods, in order to reduce muscular weakness.
Early initiation of treatment in the course of this disease, can help a lot in reducing future disability and prolonging survival.
It is important to note that regular, prolonged treatment is required in order to get significant therapeutic results.