Charity Spotlight Muscular Dystrophy UK

What do they do?

Founded in 1959, Muscular Dystrophy UK supports families living with muscle-weakening conditions by providing vital information, advice and a range of resources for them to access.

Additionally, the charity works closely with specialist or community physiotherapists who are caring for someone with a rare muscle disease.

Through the Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Health Professionals Network, they provide information and industry updates, offer access to professional events, highlight job opportunities, as well as provide online modules and factsheets.

There are also opportunities to meet and share information with other health professionals working in the field, giving you a support network and a better way to source advice in helping your patients.

Benefits of physiotherapy for muscular dystrophy

As a physiotherapist in this area, you will play a vital role in slowing down the rate at which these conditions develop. Depending on the type of muscle disorder, physical therapy can make a huge difference to range of motion, muscle strength, daily function, gait and posture.

As well as preventing loss of motion for your patients, you will also be there to reduce pain from muscle weakness and cramping. So your work will have a massive impact on their everyday lives, and their quality of life in the long term.

Additionally, you will become an important health advisor, monitoring their progress over time, while prescribing and supervising safe physical activity. It will be your job to recommend the right mobility devices, adaptive seating and other equipment.

This is where Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Health Professionals Network can help. By talking to other professionals working with these rare diseases, you can make informed decisions to advise your patients in the right way.