Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophies, which is a group of diseases.
It makes our muscles weaker and less flexible over time. It is caused by a problem in one of our genes that controls how our body keeps muscles healthy.
Symptoms usually begin early in childhood, from ages 3 – 5, and it is more common in boys than girls.
Symptoms include:
- difficulty in standing up
- walking
- climbing stairs
- as well as heart and lung problems
Unfortunately, there is no cure and patients only survive into their 40s or 50s.
How can acupuncture help?
According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a consequence of a deficient or damaged liver, spleen, stomach, or kidneys. Based on this, acupuncture has been used to treat these problems for over 1,000 years.
Researchers from Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital conducted a two-year study on 60 pediatric patients with solely Duchenne muscular dystrophy without other related disorders. All the participants were divided into two groups. The first group received the full treatment including acupuncture, heating infrared lamp, massage, herbs, and drugs. The second group received only the drug treatment.
Heating lamps are used to enhance the flow of blood in our body. Acupuncture with lamp treatment was applied once per day, five times per week, for a total of 90 sessions. Traditional Chinese massage stimulates nerve fibers and muscles. The herb used in the study was derived from a kind of mushroom and injected. Also, the drug treatment included an injection derivative of a Chinese herb, Ganoderma mushroom, and an amino acid supplement.
The result was that the therapy combining acupuncture, heating lamp, massage, herbs, and drugs has shown significant results. It was found to reduce physical impairments and improve both walking and staircase climbing. In addition, the combined therapeutic regimen successfully reduced enzymes, associated with muscle diseases.
Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative Clinic is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic in Westboro, Ottawa. We provide care for muscular dystrophy. If you would like to receive more information about this treatment, you can call us at: 613-853-9099
Source
Healthcare Medicine Institute; (2015); Acupuncture Plus TCM Helps Muscular Dystrophy Patients. http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1513-acupuncture-plus-tcm-helps-muscular-dystrophy-patients.