Over the past few months, the daily routine of five-year-old Johanna and her parents has involved regular early morning visits to Juhu beach. Once there, they dig a hole in the sand, gently place Johanna inside, and carefully cover her with sand, leaving only her face exposed.

All of this is done with the hope that it helps Johanna, who suffers from Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), lead a healthier life, even though the therapy is not backed by science. Her disorder is rare, causing multiple joints to be permanently bent or straightened at birth. “Doctors have said there is no cure for this. Physiotherapy can help,” said Olivia, Johanna’s mother. It has been a long and difficult five years for the family, with more than Rs 5 lakh spent on treatment so far. Johanna has been on a ventilator and in the ICU.