Dr. Jacinda Sampson describes strategies for ensuring a successful visit to your medical professional.

Dr. Jacinda Sampson describes the importance of, and strategies for, creating a medical team for myotonic dystrophy care.

A father and son living with myotonic dystrophy type 2 describe the unique pain they experience with this disease.

Presented on July 28, 2025.

Join Mariah Santellan for a calming, accessible chair yoga class that emphasizes flexibility and breath. This session will help you stretch, relax, and stay in motion.

Mariah Santellan, Registered Yoga Teacher & Rehabilitation Therapies Aide
Mariah Santellan is a registered yoga teacher and rehabilitation therapies aide at Iowa HealthCare in the Iowa City area. She has a background and experience in working with diverse populations and is passionate about holistic health & wellness. Last April, Mariah led the Movement Moment, an accessible chair yoga session, at MDF's Iowa City conference. Mariah currently teaches yoga classes at a local community center where she strives to create an inclusive, accessible, & safe space for all. She integrates mindfulness and breathing techniques within her personal practice and the classes she teaches to encourage students to explore their body-mind connection. 

Myotonic Dystrophy In Motion Awareness Month

Each Monday in July 2025 featured a movement expert exploring one of the Pillars of Movement from MDF’s Exercise Guide for People Living with DM. These 30-minute sessions are designed to be accessible and adaptable—whether you’re just getting started or looking to enhance your regular routine.

Click here to learn more about the 2025 Myotonic Dystrophy In Motion Awareness Month!
 

Participation Disclaimer

Before participating in any MDIM Awareness Month programming, it is important to consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare professional to ensure that exercise is safe and appropriate for your individual needs. The information provided in this exercise program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

By participating in this exercise program, you acknowledge that there are inherent risks involved in any physical activity, and you voluntarily assume full responsibility for any and all risks. You agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation and any contractors from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages arising out of your participation in the program.

If at any time during the exercise program you feel discomfort, pain, dizziness, or any other unusual symptoms, you should stop immediately and consult with a medical professional.

Presented on July 14, 2025.

Led by Dr. Katy Eichinger, this webinar features balance-boosting techniques and exercises to help prevent falls. This session is designed for all levels and abilities!

Katy J. Eichinger, PhD, DPT
Dr. Katy Eichinger is involved in the clinical care of adult and pediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases. Additionally, she is part of the neuromuscular research team and is involved in natural history studies and clinical trials for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, myotonic dystrophy, and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Her interests are in outcome measures, health and wellness, and balance. She has been involved with clinical evaluator training and assisted in preparing the manual for the pediatric assessment for the CMT natural history study. Her interests are in outcome measures, health and wellness, and balance.

Myotonic Dystrophy In Motion Awareness Month

Each Monday in July 2025 featured a movement expert exploring one of the Pillars of Movement from MDF’s Exercise Guide for People Living with DM. These 30-minute sessions are designed to be accessible and adaptable—whether you’re just getting started or looking to enhance your regular routine.

Click here to learn more about the 2025 Myotonic Dystrophy In Motion Awareness Month!
 

Participation Disclaimer

Before participating in any MDIM Awareness Month programming, it is important to consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare professional to ensure that exercise is safe and appropriate for your individual needs. The information provided in this exercise program is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

By participating in this exercise program, you acknowledge that there are inherent risks involved in any physical activity, and you voluntarily assume full responsibility for any and all risks. You agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation and any contractors from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages arising out of your participation in the program.

If at any time during the exercise program you feel discomfort, pain, dizziness, or any other unusual symptoms, you should stop immediately and consult with a medical professional.

In this session, experts discuss how myotonic dystrophy type 1 & type 2 (DM1 & DM2) impact nutrition and swallowing. Learn about the latest research on these issues and gain practical advice on managing symptoms through dietary planning and adaptive tools that can improve quality of life.

Presenters:

• Carolyn Martinez, M.A., CCC-SLP, Houston Methodist
• Anna Miller, MS, RD, LD, Houston Methodist 

Thank you to our 2025 MDF Conference Sponsors for helping make this event possible:

• Lead Sponsor: Avidity Biosciences
• Diamond Sponsors: Dyne Therapeutics and Arthex Biotech
• Platinum Sponsors: PepGen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Gold Sponsor: Sanofi
• Bronze Sponsor: Lupin Neurosciences

Explore our other sessions and read about the incredible 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This session addresses pain commonly experienced by people with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). Learn about both pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management options, with a focus on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications, as well as pain relief medications.

Presenters: 

• Laurie Gutmann MD, Indiana University Health
• Shashank J. Dave, DO, Indiana University Health

Thank you to our 2025 MDF Conference Sponsors for helping make this event possible:

• Lead Sponsor: Avidity Biosciences
• Diamond Sponsors: Dyne Therapeutics and Arthex Biotech
• Platinum Sponsors: PepGen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Gold Sponsor: Sanofi
• Bronze Sponsor: Lupin Neurosciences

Explore our other sessions and read about the incredible 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This session provides an essential understanding of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 (DM2), making it ideal for newly diagnosed individuals and those seeking to refresh their knowledge. Learn about the causes and genetics behind DM2, how the condition affects different systems of the body over time, and strategies for self-managing symptoms and building a strong clinical care team.

Presenter: 

• Johanna Hamel, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center

Thank you to our 2025 MDF Conference Sponsors for helping make this event possible:

• Lead Sponsor: Avidity Biosciences
• Diamond Sponsors: Dyne Therapeutics and Arthex Biotech
• Platinum Sponsors: PepGen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Gold Sponsor: Sanofi
• Bronze Sponsor: Lupin Neurosciences

Explore our other sessions and read about the incredible 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This session provides an essential understanding of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), making it ideal for newly diagnosed individuals and those seeking to refresh their knowledge. Learn about the causes and genetics behind DM1, how the condition affects different systems of the body over time, and strategies for self-managing symptoms and building a strong clinical care team.

Presenter: 

• Andrea Swenson, MD, University of Iowa Myotonic Dystrophy Clinic

Thank you to our 2025 MDF Conference Sponsors for helping make this event possible:

• Lead Sponsor: Avidity Biosciences
• Diamond Sponsors: Dyne Therapeutics and Arthex Biotech
• Platinum Sponsors: PepGen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Gold Sponsor: Sanofi
• Bronze Sponsor: Lupin Neurosciences

Explore our other sessions and read about the incredible 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!

This session highlights how occupational therapy (OT) and home health services can improve the daily lives of those living with myotonic dystrophy type1 or type 2 (DM1 or DM2). Experts discuss common mobility and self-care challenges and offer practical solutions through adaptive equipment and environmental modifications.

Presenters:

• Pam Glazener, OTR, ATP, Houston Methodist
• Wendy E. Schell, PT, DPT, MS, CSRS, Houston Methodist

Thank you to our 2025 MDF Conference Sponsors for helping make this event possible:

• Lead Sponsor: Avidity Biosciences
• Diamond Sponsors: Dyne Therapeutics and Arthex Biotech
• Platinum Sponsors: PepGen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Gold Sponsor: Sanofi
• Bronze Sponsor: Lupin Neurosciences

Explore our other sessions and read about the incredible 2025 MDF Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!