Healthy bones are built and maintained through a healthy lifestyle. Our physical therapists develop individualized programs customized to individual patients’ lifestyles. These programs are tailored for people with osteoporosis, aimed at helping them improve and maintain bone health and avoid fractures. Our physical therapist teach patients:
- specific exercises to build bone or decrease the amount of bone loss.
- proper posture to protect the spine from fractures.
- proper alignment during activities of daily living.
- how to improve balance in order to reduce the risk of falling.
- how to make environmental adjustments to better protect bone health.
Two types of exercises are optimal for bone health: weight-bearing and resistance. The exercise component of our treatment plans focus on either bone building or slowing bone loss. Bone grows when it is sufficiently and properly stressed, just as muscle grows when it’s challenged by supporting more-than-usual weight.
For these reasons, working with a physical therapist to create an individual bone-building program will help ensure you are neither over exercising or under exercising. Typically, exercises are performed two to three times a week as part of an overall fitness program.
