We help adults diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia manage their bone health.
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that causes bones to become weak and porous to the point of breaking easily. Bones may break from a fall or, in serious cases, even from mild stresses such as bending over or sneezing. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist, or spine.
Osteopenia or low bone density, is when bones are weaker than normal, but not so weak that they break easily, as with osteoporosis.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, studies show nearly 80% of older Americans who break a bone are not tested or treated for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease”, because there is no pain in the early stages of bone loss. Eventually, you might notice:
- A loss of height
- A stooped posture
- A bone that breaks much more easily than expected
- Back pain caused by a broken bone in your spine
People with osteoporosis can have a broken bone in their back with only mild pain or no symptoms at all.
If you have osteoporosis, protecting your bones from breaking becomes crucial. You should avoid positions and movements that cause bones to break more easily. Avoid a slumped, head-forward position while reading and sitting at the computer, or reaching too high or too far in front of you when doing chores and yard work. A physical therapist can teach you how to improve and maintain your best body position.
Exercise has been shown to improve bone mineral density, BUT all exercises are not equally effective in managing osteoporosis and some may even be harmful if you have low bone density.
A physical therapist is the ideal healthcare provider to teach you how to exercise for improving your bone mass while avoiding exercises that may be harmful to those with osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, squats, and lunges, help build bone.
Strengthening exercises also help build strong bones. However, those requiring bending forward should be avoided, because they increase risk of spinal fractures. These exercises are some we are often trained to think are good for our core such as abdominal crunches, sit-ups, toe touches, and even many pilates and yoga exercises.
A physical therapist can help you by teaching you individualized exercises that are safe and effective and can make sure you are doing them correctly.
It is important for you to improve your balance and mobility as much as possible to help you avoid falls and the fractures that may accompany them.
Osteoporosis treatment may include medication and/or supplementation with calcium and vitamin D as needed. You should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need medication at this time.
Our physical therapists work with you to adjust your posture, habits, diet and exercise routine to strengthen your bones and decrease your risk of fracture.
Our knowledgeable and caring therapists are here to help.
