What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone weakening condition, characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This disease leads to increased bone fragility and risk of a fracture particularly occurring in the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder. What is important to know is that as of today’s research, no single cause for osteoporosis has been identified. Did you know that osteoporosis is often called “the silent thief?” This is because bone loss occurs without any telltale symptoms until a bone breaks. Moreover, the early stages of the disease are difficult to detect and diagnose.
Do you know your risk of breaking a bone to osteoporosis? Find out today: Know Your Risk
Living with Osteoporosis
As confirmed by Osteoporosis Canada, diagnosis has an extremely significant impact on treating and living with osteoporosis. Many people may feel frightened or develop anxious thoughts when it comes to getting diagnosed. This is due to the negative connotations surrounding osteoporosis. For example, people may begin to think that they will suddenly lose height, fall by trying to take simple steps, or even have to give up the recreational sports they love. When one fears a loss of independence, it can be difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. However, what is important to recognize is that through a correct diagnosis comes an effective treatment plan. With the help of a drug therapy plan, a Physiotherapy plan and lifestyle changes, one can begin to improve their bone mass and live well with osteoporosis – and living “well” with osteoporosis will reduce the risk of fracturing a bone.
Nutrition to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis
In order to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis, nutrition is key. For example, calcium plays an important role in preventing the disease. This is because daily calcium intake will maintain bone health, and in return you will have stronger bones. If you are unsure of how much calcium you need or are skeptical of which foods are rich in calcium, check out Osteoporosis Canada’s suggestions: Osteoporosis Canada Blog
To make sure you are getting enough calcium, use this interactive calculator.
Vitamin D should also be a key component of your nutrition plan as it is important for maintaining strong bones. Health.com provides 12 ways to get your daily dose of Vitamin D; check them out here: 12 Ways to Get Your Daily Vitamin D
Physical Activity to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis
In order to protect your bones, physical activity is highly recommended. When you protect your bones, you are also helping to protect your spine, build muscle strength and decrease the rate of bone loss; ultimately, protecting your bones is imperative as it can prevent falls. If you are interested in identifying which types of exercise you can perform, check out Osteoporosis Canada’s Exercise Guide. However, if you are not comfortable with determining the types of exercise, how often you should do them and the intensity of your workout, a Physiotherapist at Nose Creek would be more than willing to help assess this.
How Physiotherapy Helps with Osteoporosis
As mentioned, a Physiotherapy treatment plan will speed your recovery time and get you moving and feeling better faster! At Nose Creek Physio, a qualified Physiotherapist can help you strengthen your bones and muscles. In doing this, you will be able to prevent bone thinning, manage pain and reduce falls.
How Nose Creek Physiotherapy Can Help!
When you meet with your Nose Creek Physiotherapist, they will begin by looking for reduced mobility or stiffness in the joint. These joints, once identified, are mobilized and/or manipulated. Also, your Nose Creek Physiotherapist will correct muscle imbalances by prescribing to strengthen them to optimum levels.
Our main goal is to get you feeling better and moving faster by managing your pain. Did you know that sometimes a compression fracture, which is when bones in the spine collapse, can produce immense pain? In this case, we will be able to asses your situation, create a treatment plan, and as a result, manage your pain.
As mentioned, falling is a common symptom of osteoporosis, and Physiotherapy can help improve your balance.Through tailored exercises programs, we will ensure your balance is improved. Proven by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, such exercise programs have been shown “to be effective and to reduce falls by 32% and the rest of falling by 22%” (Source)
As we read earlier, exercise programs play an important role in preventing and treating osteoporosis. At Nose Creek Physio, we will assess your treatment plan and tailor it to our specialized exercise programs. To learn more about our exercise programs and how they could positively impact your treatment plan, visit our program’s page: Nose Creek Physio Exercise Programs
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have a sudden loss in height, change in posture or sudden back pain, give us a call today at our Beddington location (403.295.8590) or at our Thorncliffe location (403.275.7728). We would be happy to help you assess and resolve your pain, and get you moving faster and feeling better!
Blair balances his busy professional life by staying active. He enjoys cycling, swimming, working out, hiking, camping and snowboarding, depending on the season. Blair shares his free time with his wife, son and daughter outside on the weekends. He has learned to enjoy the journey, as life really is too short.
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