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Dec 08
2016

When you think about your bones, it is easy to think of them as completely solid, strong and unchanging.  But this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Bone is living tissue and your bones are constantly changing as you age, and as they respond to the way you use your body.  

As muscles get stronger, the bones right underneath them do the same.  If your muscles lose strength, the bones underneath them will weaken too.  In fact, weakened and thin bones are the cause of over one million fractures per year in the United States.

As we age we often lose muscle, and in turn experience a weakening of our bones.  Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle.  Bones can become so brittle that everyday things such as coughing or bending over can cause a fracture.  The hip, wrist or spine are the most common places for osteoporosis-related fractures. Osteoporosis happens when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone.  

So, how do you prevent your muscles from weakening or heal after a fracture?  Physical therapy for osteoporosis. Exercise is vital to strong bones and physical therapy for osteoporosis will give you better odds of prevention and for a successful recovery.  

Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis

If you suffer from osteoporosis, physical therapy can help.  But you don’t need to have fractured a bone to begin a physical therapy program.  Whether you’ve been told you are at high risk for osteoporosis, or you want to do your best to keep it at bay, going to physical therapy for osteoporosis is a proactive way to help prevent this bone disease.  

Your physical therapist will work alongside you to create a unique program based on your specific needs.  They will consider your age, fitness level, overall health and your personal risk for fractures to help cater the rehabilitation program specifically for you.  Some of the things your physical therapist may teach includes:

• Proper posture to take unnecessary stress off of your spine to reduce your risk of spinal fractures

• How to improve your balance to reduce your risk of falling

• Specific exercises to build bone or decrease the amount of bone loss.  In most cases, physical therapy for osteoporosis will include bone-strengthening exercises or resistance training

• How to make changes in your home, office and daily life to promote a healthy recovery including safe ways to do everyday activities to avoid fractures

Physical therapy for osteoporosis can help you to heal after a fracture and serve as an injury prevention measure for osteoporosis.  Schedule an appointment with Above & Beyond Physical Therapy to restore healthy function, movement and bone strength.   

There are many conditions that physical therapy can treat or help prevent that you may not be aware of–including osteoporosis.  Here are 4 conditions you didn’t know physical therapy could help.