• Understanding Duchenne
• Caring
  for Him
• Advancing
  Research
• Leading
  the Way
• Ending
  Duchenne
• Uniting the Community

• About Duchenne
  • About Dystrophin + Utrophin
  • Signs of Duchenne
  • How to Prevent Duchenne
  • Who Gets Duchenne
  • What Causes Duchenne
  • How Duchenne is Identified
  • How Duchenne Progresses
• New Diagnosis
  • First Steps
  • What You Can Do
  • Parenting Children with Duchenne
  • Finding Support
• Stages of
  Duchenne
  • Early Phase
  • Transitional Phase
  • Loss of Ambulation
  • Adult Stage
• For Family
  Members
  • Parents
  • Brothers + Sisters
  • Grandparents
  • Relatives + Friends
• For
  Professionals
  • Teachers
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physicians
  • Researchers

Physical Therapists

Physical therapy (PT) can help increase and prolong mobility for a boy with Duchenne. The physical therapist plays an important role monitoring and maintaining overall physical health.

• Stretching tendons- Daily stretching exercises of three specific tendons (Achilles, Hamstring, Ileotibial bands) will extend ambulation.
• Swimming- A regimen of swimming and other water exercises (hydrotherapy) helps keep muscles lean and improves respiratory function without causing additional stress to the body. Cardiac evaluation is recommended before beginning any form of hydrotherapy.
• Horseback riding- Therapeutic horseback riding (hippotherapy) allows young men with Duchenne to stretch and work muscles that they would normally be unable to use on land.
• Exercise- Exercise can help young men by building skeletal muscles and improving physical and overall health. Keep in mind that too much exercise can harm the muscles; never let a boy with Duchenne exert himself to the point of exhaustion.

PT Stretching Video
PT Management Document by Laura Case