Muscular Dystrophy: Therapies & Tips
For people living with muscular dystrophy (MD), therapies like physical and occupational therapy are an important part of maintaining mobility. These therapies support independence, protect joints, and improve quality of life.
As muscles weaken and joints tighten, staying mobile becomes more challenging. That’s where physical therapy (PT) steps in. PT focuses on preserving movement, flexibility, and strength wherever possible. According to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the main goal is to “preserve range of motion, strength, and function,” especially in conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy [PPMD], n.d.-a).
The Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) recommends that individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy undergo “specialized physical therapy evaluations every 4‑6 months” to monitor changes in strength, range of motion, and joint flexibility (Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy [PPMD], n.d.-a). These evaluations help catch changes in strength or joint flexibility early, before they limit movement.
Tip: Make sure your physical therapist includes a joint-by-joint checkup and helps set up a stretching routine for home.
While PT focuses on movement, occupational therapy (OT) helps people manage everyday tasks like dressing, eating, writing, and using devices. OT helps ensure people with MD can stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.
OTs can also recommend tools and strategies that make daily routines easier. For example, they might suggest adaptive utensils for eating, or special desks and seating for school or work. PPMD notes that an OT can “evaluate self-care skills and make recommendations on techniques or equipment to maximize functional independence” (PPMD, n.d.-b).
Tip: Ask your OT about doing a home or school assessment to find ways to make spaces more accessible.
Over time, some joints can stiffen or lose flexibility. Braces and splints can help prevent this by keeping joints in good positions, especially at night. These tools also provide support for weakened muscles and reduce the risk of contractures.
Your PT or OT might recommend night splints, orthotics, or seating supports, depending on your needs (PPMD, n.d.-a; PPMD, n.d.-b).
Tip: Start using braces or splints early, before stiffness becomes a bigger problem.
The best care comes from a team of professionals working together. A good care team often includes a neuromuscular specialist, physical and occupational therapists, a cardiologist, a respiratory therapist, and a social worker. According to PPMD, therapists play a key role in helping with strength, positioning, and mobility, while coordinating with others to support the whole person (PPMD, n.d.-c).
Tip: Ask how your therapists will communicate with your doctor and other team members to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Therapy for MD isn’t something you do once and forget. It’s an ongoing part of life that needs regular attention. Starting early and checking in consistently can make a big difference in how long someone stays mobile and independent.
Tip: Keep a notebook or digital log of your therapy routines, equipment changes, and mobility updates to share with your team at each visit.
For those living with MD, therapies like PT and OT are essential. They help people with MD stay active, maintain independence, and live more fully. When these therapies are part of a coordinated care plan, they offer hope, stability, and a better quality of life.
References
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. (n.d.-a). Rehabilitation & physical therapy: Physical therapy and stretching. https://www.parentprojectmd.org/care/care-guidelines/by-area/physical-therapy-and-stretching/
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. (n.d.-b). Occupational therapy. https://www.parentprojectmd.org/care/care-guidelines/by-area/physical-therapy-and-stretching/occupational-therapy/
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. (n.d.-c). Assembling a care team. https://www.parentprojectmd.org/care/for-families/assembling-a-care-team/
