Before 1950 very little was known about muscular dystrophy. Through modern scientific research that picture has changed dramatically. Since 1986, scientists have identified genes that, when sensitized to be damaged, can cause myotonic, Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, congenital and Emery-Dreifuss type of muscular dystrophies. Today approximate gene locations have been identified for several other forms of muscular dystrophy. Finding a gene defect for a disease means scientists have a window in to the disease.
The ayurvedic concept of Vata should be considered in the light of scientific understanding. The biological force of Vata can be regarded as genetic information inherited from parents, encoded over genes and stored deep in the unconscious mind that manifest in to psycho-Neuro-hormonal behavior of a person.
Muscular dystrophy is currently incurable genetic disease of childhood characterized by progressive wasting and degeneration of the muscles. There is walking difficulty, poor functional ability leading to disability, deformity and premature death. This horrific disease should be prevented and managed at any cost till the successful cure is established.
There are several key areas in the ayurvedic healthcare that could be scientifically scrutinized with due preventive importance. One such measure is “Sukra-shodhana and Rasayana treatment” during child and maternal care. Sukra-shodhana is prescribed in ancient ayurvedic texts using Vasti procedure of Panch Karma with Maha Kashyay ingredients. The therapeutic Kala-Vasti, using medicated Ksheer (milk), tailam (Oils) and ghee (purified butter) should be considered for scientific verification of the ayurvedic medicine.
The Kapalbhati Pranayama can be used as respiratory supportive measure to improve cellular bet-oxidation process and to protect cardio-myopathic complications. A small care through Clinical research study involving Bhastrika Pranayama, Pawan Muktasana along with Ayurvedic Panch Karma viz: TMP Swedana, Shat Bala Prasarni Anuvasana Vasti yielded mixed results in 46 boys with Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (DMD) said Mukesh Jain MD of Central Medical Institute, Bhilai. Analyses showed that between 40 and 60 of treated patients got better relief in terms of both reduced CPK level and increased functional ability. The results are published in the latest issue of the Journal of Yoga Vijyana of MDNIY, New Delhi. Dr. Jain\'s team is working on Muscular dystrophy since 1995 under care through research program on NMD.
The Ayurvedic rasayana herbs are well known for their effect to delay / slow or reverse the progressive muscular degeneration. Effective ayurvedic medicine is Mamsagni Rasayana which is under scientific verification. The standard dose is 500 mg twice daily with milk. Some of the ingredients of Mamsagni Rasayana have been scientifically verified for their possible protective influence in muscular dystrophy.
The Mamsagni Rasayana is supposed to boost protein synthesis at muscle tissue level. It balances the Vata derangement due to auto-toxins and thus retards the muscular degeneration. Since we have noticed improved functional ability along with a fall in serum Creatine kinase (CK) level it means there is check on further muscle destruction. Get more details at http://www.ayush-samiti.in/about.aspx
Genetic materials (Genes) carry vital information which themselves are regulated by subtle vital energy of Prana. The depletion of Prana is manifested as deregulation of Vata at muscle tissue levels. Combined program of Yogic Ayurvedic support (Panch Yoga) are useful in the long term management of Muscular dystrophy. There is however, need of controlled studies on a large scale with improved trial designs especially molecular, biological and histological assessment techniques said Dr Mukesh Jain. This clinical success can be augmented by combining Ayurvedic Rasayana molecules (Such as Mamsagni Rasayana) for lasting relief from disability associated with Muscular dystrophy.
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A Social & Educational Organigation registered \'not for profit organisation\', operational since 2004. The key objectives of Ayush Samiti are mainstreaming evidence based Ayurveda, Yoga and Natural medicine in the area of public health, creation of awareness, capacity building by way of training, developing cost effective medicine with natural resources and promoting research in traditional healing and well being. The Ayush Samiti works with different professional organizations, government departments, institutions and social organisations for the cause.
