According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis. An additional 44 million have low bone density, putting them at increased risk of developing the disease in their lifetimes. While it’s more common in adults over 50, and more likely to effect women than men, the truth is osteoporosis impacts millions of lives of either sex every year. The good news is there are things we can do to help prevent or treat the disease – one of the safest and most effective being physical therapy.
Physical therapy can’t heal the fractures or other effects of osteoporosis, but it can help you build the strength and balance needed to work toward increasing your bone mass density (BMD). This is helpful to treat the condition, and doing the work before you develop symptoms can help prevent the onset of osteoporosis in the first place.
Understanding Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreases in bone mineral density and bone mass, or when the structure and quality of bone changes. This weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. The bones most affected are in the hips, spine, and wrists, but fractures due to osteoporosis can occur anywhere in the body. Women are more likely to develop the disease due to a decrease in estrogen after menopause, but men are also susceptible, and many suffer the effects year after year.
While in the early stages, osteoporosis doesn’t usually present obvious symptoms, but as bones weaken symptoms can include back pain, stooped posture, height loss over time, and easily breakable bones. There is no cure for the condition, but some of the most effective preventative measures include a healthy diet and regular exercise – great lifestyle choices whether you are at risk of developing osteoporosis or not.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Prevent Osteoporosis?
The best way to avoid the fractures and deteriorating bone health that result from osteoporosis is to avoid developing the condition altogether. While no preventative measures are guaranteed, there are some actions that can greatly improve your chances of avoiding osteoporosis. This is where physical therapy can play a vital role.
A physical therapist can help you develop a personalized plan – based on your current condition and capabilities – that can include weight-bearing and resistance exercises to help you build bone strength. Your physical therapy plan can also help you improve your balance and coordination, making exercise easier and more comfortable (also reducing your risk of falls and fractures should you develop osteoporosis later). It can also help improve your posture, reducing the amount of pressure on your spine and decreasing your risk of kyphosis or other spinal deformities that can affect your bone health.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Treat Osteoporosis?
While we can’t all be lucky enough to avoid developing osteoporosis, physical therapy can also help treat the condition and limit the likelihood of painful and debilitating bone fractures. Osteoporosis cannot be fully reversed or cured, but weight-bearing exercises can reduce bone loss and slow the progression of the disease. Certain types of exercises may even improve bone health in some people suffering from osteoporosis.
Other benefits include increased strength and improved balance to help prevent the types of falls that can lead to unexpected fractures. Physical therapy is also a great way to rehabilitate after a fracture, helping to restore mobility and function.
Unfortunately, osteoporosis will affect many of us at some point in our lives, but taking time now to make some lifestyle changes can reduce the likelihood. Pairing exercise with a bone-healthy diet (a diet rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D and other bone-boosting minerals) will increase your odds of avoiding osteoporosis and may also lessen the impact the disease will have on you should it develop later in life.
If you or someone you know is suffering from osteoporosis or fear it may linger on the horizon, reach out to a physical therapist. The sooner you get started on your path to improved bone health, the greater your chances of living a long, healthy, active life.
