Women's Health

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia 

What are osteopenia and osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease process whereby the bones become more fragile and, if it is left untreated, can progress to bone fractures with minimal trauma. Bone is primarily living connective tissue, and each cell contributes to the structural framework for every bone in the skeleton. Early in life, until approximately age 30, you are building bone mass. The bone then maintains equilibrium until menopause in women or age 60 in men. This is when the bone begins breaking down faster than it is formed. The bone loss can lead to osteoporosis. Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be detected by a bone density test that will provide you with a T-score. T-scores below normal indicate that your bones are at risk for fracture. A T-score greater than -1.0 means you have normal bone density. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have osteopenia and should begin an osteo-prevention program. A T-score lower than -2.5 means you do have osteoporosis and should be taking appropriate action to strengthen your bones and preventing fractures. Therefore, the surgeon general states that all women over 18 years of age should be concerned with osteoporosis prevention. Teenagers can take calcium supplements to add more to their “bone bank” and can participate in bone-strengthening activities. Ask your physical therapist for recommendations for exercises that will increase the forces acting on your bones to improve bone formation. Bulimia or anorexia will increase your vulnerability to osteoporosis at a younger age. If this is a problem for you, please ask your physician and psychologist for help.

What will a physical therapist do to help me decrease my risk of bone fractures? A physical therapist will evaluate your posture, strength, flexibility, connective tissue integrity, breathing, balance, and home safety. Your physical therapist will align your connective tissue, which will establish a base to begin improving your posture, flexibility, and breathing. Your physical therapist will establish a core strengthening program that will include weight loading and unloading activities, aerobic and endurance activities, balance and stabilization training, flexibility, and relaxation. It is crucial to develop a program that you will do consistently and independently. Because your program is very individualized, it is important to know what types of physical activities you enjoy doing and what your daily schedule consists of. Successful programs have been developed for female entrepreneurs with busy schedules.