To start, what is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the weakness of bones as a result of low bone mass. Osteoporosis can cause a decrease in quality of life, loss of mobility, disfigurement and a lack of independence.
There are many risk factors associated with the onset of Osteoporosis, those that can be modified and those that cannot. Modifiable risk factors include low intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements, low activity, increased alcohol consumption, medication use, and smoking. Non-modifiable risk factors include being a female over the age of fifty, reaching menopause, and family history.
Treatment:
Treatment can vary from the use of medication, nutrition, and exercise. The goals of treatment are to slow and/or prevent bone loss and increase a person’s risk of fracture. With medication, there are different drug treatments available that can be discussed with your family physician. Nutritional changes that can be made to prevent bone loss is the increase in consumption of calcium and Vitamin D.
Exercise is a great form of treatment to both prevent and slow the process of Osteoporosis. Weight and resistance training causes an increase in strength of muscles which can result in the maintenance of strong bones. Another key factor that can prevent the associated increase in fractures with Osteoporosis is working on balance. Balance can be practiced and improved through the use of exercise by strengthening the core and ability of the muscles and brain to know where it is located in space. An improvement in balance means a lesser chance of falling which results in an overall decreased risk of fracturing bones.
How can Rebalance Rehab help me?
No matter your age or the current state of your physical health we can help to maintain and slow the process of Osteoporosis through the use of exercise. Assessment of your current abilities and function we can prescribe exercises that are safe and beneficial not only to your overall health but the strength of your bones and muscles.
Check out the below links for more information and resources to help you or a loved one diagnosed with Osteoporosis.
Website: https://osteoporosis.ca
Resources: https://osteoporosis.ca/brochures-and-fact-sheets/