Osteoporosis

Treat Your Osteoporosis or Osteopenia Symptoms with Physical Therapy

Are you experiencing a thinning of your bones, loss of height, or postural changes due to osteoporosis or osteopenia? osteoporosis is a very common condition that affects 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men. Peak bone mass occurs at age 30-35. Females experience more rapid bone loss the first few years after menopause. Since men have 30% denser bones, loss of bone increases after age 60. Although you may have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia in one hip or a part of your spine, it is systemic and may be affecting other bones in your body.

The meaning of osteoporosis translates to “porous bones,” and this condition causes bones that were once strong to become frail and fragile. This occurs when the bones are no longer able to hold as much calcium, which is an important mineral that keeps bones strong. As more calcium is released from the bones than what is put in, it is important to keep the muscles around the affected bones strong, especially in the spine, hips and wrists.

If you are suffering from osteoporosis or osteopenia, you are at a higher risk of developing fractures from ordinary, everyday activities. When either affects the spine, it can result in a compression fracture that may lead to the crumbling of bone. This can make daily life increasingly difficult, as you may not be able to move around as freely as they used to.

Fortunately, physical therapy can help strengthen those problem areas so you can reclaim your life. Contact Blue Sky Physical Therapy today to find out how our physical therapy services in Denver, CO can benefit you!

Physical Therapy and Osteoporosis

Many of the issues surrounding osteoporosis can be addressed through physical therapy. Postural education, strengthening exercises, proper nutrition, proper biomechanics and balance are an important part of treating Osteoporosis. Although a good walking program can help maintain bone strength, bone needs to be impacted at different angles to stimulate new formation. Physical therapy will address activities that can help such as walking in different directions, changing speed, dance and Tai Chi.

Since strengthening is a critical part of osteoporosis management, physical therapy is an effective method of treatment. Our Denver, CO physical therapists are experts in preparing coordinated, easy-to-do exercise programs to target specific osteoporotic areas. Our physical therapists will also educate you on exercises and functional movements that are contraindicated and should not be performed to protect you from fracture risk.

It is common that people living with osteoporosis will have limited spinal and hip movement, which increases the stresses on bones. Our physical therapist will determine the best course of treatment for you, in order to address these limitations and restore your body to its optimum state of function.

Physical therapy treatments for osteoporosis will include gentle stretches and exercises that will become more intensive with time to help strengthen the muscles around the affected bones. Our physical therapists will focus on postural improvement to lengthen the spine, improve lung function and breathing and help align the spine to avoid compression fractures.

Our physical therapists will emphasize balance retraining to avoid falls which can lead to compression fractures. We will provide nutritional education regarding calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3 intake and other dietary recommendations and we may suggest a consultation with a nutritionist. Other treatments such as gentle myofascial release and modalities may be included as needed, at the discretion of your physical therapist.

Contact us today!

At Blue Sky Physical Therapy, we work in conjunction with your physician to prepare a specific treatment plan for you to ensure you are on the best path toward stronger bones and injury prevention. Request an appointment and discover how we can help treat your osteoporosis symptoms!