Management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Ayurvedic Principles - A Case Report

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is primarily caused by mutations or deletions in the dystrophin gene, critical for maintaining muscle fiber integrity.[1] The estimated incidence is about 1 in 3,500 male births[2], with the condition following an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. DMD has quite resemblance with Sahaja Mamsa Shosha in Ayurveda described by Acharya Sushrutha as muscle wasting due to loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle mass. Case summary: A 9 years old child was brought with complaints of standing without support, inability to walk, place foot on ground, difficulty in sitting in squatting position in the last 6 year of age. He also had tightness of calf muscles and contractures in B/L ankle region in the last 2 years. The child was given with Panchakarma procedures such as Udwarthana f/b Parisheka, Sarvanga Abhyanga f/b Nadi Sweda Mustadi Rajayapana Basti, Anuvasana Basti, Pichu Bandhana along with Physiotherapy and Mahisha Dravaka, Ashwagandha Arishta internally for 10 days in 3 sittings. Significant improvement was observed after 3 sittings of treatment. This case study shows that Ayurvedic treatment is helpful in management of DMD and improving the quality of life.