Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a serious disease that is hereditary and involves the loss of motor neurons, which are basically the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. SMA is unfortunately not completely curable but there are a few treatment options that can be done to prolong the lifespan of patients with SMA. Physical therapy or physiotherapy and rehabilitation are some of the treatment methods used to fight SMA in the following ways:

1. Physiotherapy and SMA

Physiotherapy is something that concentrates on movement. This treatment options for spinal muscle atrophy involves a physiotherapist who designs an exercise program that is tailored to suit the patient’s needs in order to improve posture, prevent joint mobility and slow muscle weakness. Exercises that involve strengthening and stretching exercises may help reduce spasticity, improve circulation and increase range of motion. In some cases people may require further therapy for speech, swallowing and chewing difficulties.

2. Occupational therapy and SMA

A session with an occupational therapist might also be necessary, as the therapist may prescribe the use of assistive equipment like wheelchairs for mobility, limb orthotics or braces and other devices that can help make the daily life of the patient much easier. It is important for a patient to meet with a physiotherapist and start a routine as soon as they have been diagnosed with SMA. Depending upon the level of the disease, your physician may recommend both a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. Irrespective of whether the patient is a child or an adult, people of all ages should be offered treatment to improve their ability to reach some form of independent mobility in order to perform simple everyday activities of all kinds.

3. Assistive devices and orthotics

In the case of adults and older children with SMA, walking is an important activity that needs to be encouraged with the aid of appropriate assistive devices and orthotics, such as canes, walkers, and perhaps wheelchairs. Physiotherapists also suggest making use of some assistive devices like braces or motorized wheelchairs based on the patient’s individual needs.

4. Therapeutic exercise programs for SMA

Exercise as a form of treatment option for spinal muscle atrophy is ongoing research and the response to exercise varies from one individual to another. However, it is of utmost importance that a patient with SMA engages in exercise only under the supervision of a physiotherapist which can help to minimize the risk of injury. Different therapeutic exercises are adopted by physiotherapists to help patients with SMA to improve and maintain mobility, and also in order to prevent or slow down the progression of respiratory failure. Strengthening and aerobic exercises can together form a part of the therapeutic exercise regime. These physical exercises can help slow down the deteriorating muscle strength in SMA patients and helps with prolonging their ability to walk. These exercises are also great as they keep people active and on the move.

5. Hydrotherapy

Physiotherapists also make use of exercises that will help improve developmental skills. Another means of therapy used is hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy. Here the physical properties of water are used by physiotherapists in order to provide walking and balance exercise, strength training and aerobic training without the risk of overworked muscles or fatigue. Standing programs are used especially for children with SMA who are unable to walk in order to maintain muscle flexibility, promote musculoskeletal development and prevent bone-density loss.