Osteoporosis physical therapy

Osteoporosis is known as a silent disease that often develops without symptoms or pain. You may not know you have it until you break a bone.

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and become brittle, especially those in the hips, spine, and wrists. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis or low bone density is key to preventing further bone loss and avoiding life-altering fractures.

Risk factors for developing osteoporosis

People with the following conditions are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

• Older than age 50
• Deficient in calcium or vitamin D
• Celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (due to nutrient malabsorption)
• Female
• Smoking
• Long-term steroid medication, hormone treatments or radiation therapy
• Postmenopausal (due to loss of estrogen)
• Thin body type
• Thyroid, parathyroid or kidney problems

As the condition progresses, you may experience these symptoms:

• Loss of height as you age
• Kyphotic or slumped posture
• Pain
• Difficulty breathing (due to postural changes restricting your lung capacity)
• Frequent bone fractures

Benefits of physical therapy exercises for osteoporosis

For a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia, physical therapy is a proven treatment option. Even if you are not experiencing pain or mobility issues, physical therapy coupled with an at-home exercise regime can help to improve bone health and posture while increasing your overall function. It can also improve your quality of life.

Your physical therapist will suggest activities such as these.

• Resistance training: By creating stress on your bones, you encourage them to build up, which increases their strength as well as lessens the risk of fractures and falls.
• Weight-bearing exercise: Like resistance training, weight-bearing exercise puts positive stress on your bones, especially your spine, hips, and legs. Walking, using an elliptical machine and stair climbing are good options for improving your bone density.
• Balance training: Balance training activities can reduce your risk of fracture while helping you improve stability as you strengthen your legs, ankles, and foot muscles.
• Body mechanics education: Many everyday movements like unloading the dishwasher or bending over to tie your shoes can put an increased amount of strain on osteoporotic bones while also creating a higher risk for fracture. Your occupational therapist will show you safer ways to handle your daily activities.
• Pain management techniques: Through physical therapy, you can strengthen core muscles, improve postural awareness and learn positioning exercises that will provide pain relief during day-to-day activities, aid in injury prevention and slow bone loss. Also, consistent physical exercise has been shown to help lower your dependence on prescription pain medication.

Importance of exercises for osteoporosis

Regular exercise that involves weight-bearing activities has been shown to reduce the risk of fracture from osteoporosis while:

• Improving posture, mobility, and balance
• Decreasing pain
• Strengthening muscles
• Maintaining and/or improving range of motion

Who is physical therapy recommended for?

Candidates for physical therapy include people who have:

• Osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone density) without fracture or pain and able to participate in posture training, home exercise program and safety training
• Osteoporosis with pain, impaired posture and reduced functional mobility
• Severe fracture(s) due to osteoporosis
• Had surgery and need to reduce the risk of further injury or fracture
• Had vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty spinal procedures

Contact us

Contact us with your questions about osteoporosis physical therapy.