I have Osteoporosis of spine and a wedge fracture. I would like to do some exercises to strenghen my back to prevent it becoming more bent. Who would be the best person to see about this? I was thinking about seeing an osteopath.
Yes, that's right.Then we will be set up to the therapist .
That's right. Then that Doctor will send you to a therapist.
So you think an Osteopath is the right person to go to.
I go to a physiotherapist.
A friend of mine, somewhat older than I am, was getting very bent over with OP of the spine. She has started using walking poles. I don't think she is able to use them quite accurately as Nordic walking requires, but she has straightened up really noticeably. If you are still in relatively good shape, I recommend you take up Nordic walking. It really helps with improving upper body strength and I think it's helping my posture, too. This is as well as back exercises, of course.
Hello Janet,
I think that you have received some good advice here on this forum, may I add pilates into the mix. I have a strong belief that appropriately targeted muscular strength exercises. If you think about sending bone china through the post without bubble wrap you would be taking a chance on getting it to its destination without breaking. This is how I see our bodies the stronger our muscles the more protection they are going to offer our bones. I suppose an all round exercise programme supervised by a professional of your choice (I would go with the physio) is worth a shot. Keeping active is absolutely essential. Good Luck
Janet, Whether you pick Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, Physiotherapy, just make sure that the ' teacher' is professionally qualified and, very importantly, has extensive experience in dealing with patients with osteoporosis. Otherwise you could do more harm than good. . . . J
I should add that the instructor said that he'd worked with her to develop a way that she could use the poles, and he was thrilled with the result. I think he looked on her as a poster child. An additional advantage of walking with poles is they help people with balance problems, which could be useful knowledge for those who are afraid of fracture in the event of a fall, making it possibly even better than simply walking without support. I suggest that it is probably the single most effective and safest form of exercise for those at risk of fracture.
I swim and have a personal trainer at the gym. I can't hurt myself then! Have done Tai Chi in the past which was really good, I have 14 wedge fractures (and hip # 10 years ago) so have to be careful.
I would like to thank everyone who responded to my earlier comments about exercise. I think I will start with a visit to a physio. I am 63, reasonably fit and am sure with the right exercises I can improve. Thank you all once again.
It seems that Tai Chi is just brilliant for anyone esp. those with fractures or those with balance problems. Though really gentle, it can improve bones apparently. I'll do my minimum for the moment but Tai Chi does appeal on the basis of 'cannot do any harm, can only help'. J
The bentness is caused by scoliosis which ranges from very mild to severe.
I have been diagnosed with mild scoliosis. Apparently, half the population has mild scoliosis so it is not too much of a worry at present for me.
I think exercise is individual as the whole person needs to be considered.
In my case, I am limited to mainly pool exercises.
I have severe lumbar degeneration as my sacroiliac is also affected and I have two herniated discs. I use a wheeled walker.
Janet, I wish you well and success in your endeavours with exercise.
Hello Kathleen, It's nice to find you still active and posting. I do so agree with you that exercise is what the individual can manage and feels comfortable doing. It is a trifle unfortunate that the chance of beating osteoporosis is somewhat dependent upon the quality of the exercise that you are able to carry out. I know that the the books tell us that any exercise is better than none, but if you haven't actually found the cause of your loss of bone density then your efforts may be in vain if you are relying on exercise to complement your supplements. That seems to be something that the purveyors of AA and the like, don't actually consider. It is probable that all methods of cure would be more successful if the cause of the problem was addressed before the doctors tried to force their evil potions on us.
It took me around two months of AA before I was able to track down my OP cause and even then it was left to me to change my own medication to compensate for an age related reduction in hormone levels and then carry on down the natural route.
Apologies for the rant but if my Dr. had got his self into gear, I would never have got past osteopenia. I'm still somewhat peeved about it.
Aristotle.
What do you mean by the cause? How did you find it out?
Hi Kathleen, My GP has told me that I also have a curved spine and arthritis so my 'round back' is probably down to this rather than the osteoporosis as you say. My problem is not severe but I want to do my best to keep my back strong and I will be seeing a good physio. soon. Thank you for your comments
I don't blame you for being peeved!
I am still around. I think everyone has gone quiet. I guess there is a limit to where you can go with this and new ideas or discussions dry up a bit.
I have had visitors as well and more next week. Just family but it gets hectic.
Even if you are seated a lot and I am I have heard that fidgeting and stretching is still good to do. Just keep moving basically!
I kow your question is to Aristotle but when I was diagnosed my doctor gave me an information pack which gave a list of likely causes. In my case I had a hysterectomy at 44 and my mother has osteoporosis. Also it can be a result of drinking more than 3/4 units of alchohol a day.
Arthritis in the back can be very severe and is enough to make some people disabled.
The discs can be much of the problem as well and send nerves down into the legs or sacroiliac like in my case.
Mine has been described as severe unfortunately!
Hi Faith,
I had my suspicions because I was already on a supplement to boost my testosterone level (I'm 71 and initially guessed that the level wasn't what it should be). I requested a blood test with other things included since it was around time for my C-V checkup and when the results came in, the levels of testosterone were the same as when I began the supplemental dose in 1996. The doctor wasn't really interested because the level was just inside the lower limit, but having been there, I went my own way and checked with the dexascan people who agreed that the probability of anything else causing the problem was remote and I now have a sheet placing the cause as low androgen level. This is the same sheet that went to the doctor's surgery and he chose to do nothing about it. Well since the supplement is a daily morning application of gel to the shoulders or belly, it was easy to do an extra evening application one day out of seven which is a 14.2% increase in medication. I have found that I have 'perked up' and am enjoying life more again so I guess that the level had reduced gradually and I hadn't really noticed although I had been fairly tired, particularly in the afternoon. That has now ceased so while I can't be 100% certain that I got it right, the probability is high in my estimation, that I am on the right track. I suppose that I should go and request a further blood test but I believe that in these days of money comes first, there would be conflict and I don't need the stress. I also know my own body and once alerted, I shall be on the lookout for any further problems in this field.
Regards
Aristotle