Effective Treatment for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and lose density.

It commonly occurs in the hips, ribs, spine, and wrist. Bones affected by osteoporosis may become so brittle that minor falls and normal stresses such as bending, lifting, or even sneezing can quickly lead to fractures. With early diagnosis and the right osteoporosis therapy, symptoms can be alleviated.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is called a “silent” disease” because there are usually no symptoms until a bone is broken or fractures occur.
But once your bones have been weakened, the following symptoms may present themselves:

• Loss of height
• Changes in posture due to spinal malformations (stooping or bending forward)
• Shortness of breath
• Bone fractures
• Lower back pain

Factors Affecting Osteoporosis

Sex
Women face greater risk of developing osteoporosis since they have lower peak bone mass than men. That said, men are still at risk especially after the age of 70.
Age
As you age, bone loss happens quicker, increasing your risk for osteoporosis. Women in particular undergo rapid bone loss in the first 10 years after entering menopause.
Body size
Slender, thin-boned individuals are more likely to develop osteoporosis because they have less bone to lose.

Causes Include:

Estrogen Deficiencies in Women
Women typically suffer estrogen deficiencies during perimenopause and menopause.
Calcium Deficiencies
Bones are constantly losing and replacing minerals.
Inactive Lifestyle

Traditional Treatments

Treatment options often depend on an estimate of a patient’s fracture risk over the next 10 years. This is typically measured using a bone density test.

Doctors may recommend both nonsurgical and surgical treatments including the following:
Prescription drugs
For patients with an increased risk of fractures, the most widely prescribed osteoporosis medications are bisphosphonates. Physicians may also recommend other bone-building medications.
Surgery
If you have a serious osteoporosis fracture, you’ll most likely need surgery. For spinal fractures, doctors often recommend vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. For femoral neck fractures, anything from metal screws to hemiarthroplasty and even hip replacement may be required, depending on the extent of the problem.
Lifestyle changes
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase rates of bone loss and the risk of fracture.
Supplementation with natural foods and lifestyle improvements
Prescribed movement therapy and additional foods high in calcium such as oranges, spinach and other green leafy vegetables can help to produce stronger bones.

TruMove

Conventional treatments for osteoporosis may not always work for everyone. Surgical and pharmacological options carry greater risk and do not ensure lasting osteoporosis pain relief.
Instead of relying on traditional treatments that only aim to provide temporary relief, we recommend The Superior Method. Coined by our own Dr. Andrew Gorecki, this approach involves identifying the root cause of the condition to ensure a seamless recovery.

TruMove is a combination of the following treatments:

Full-body Movement Assessment
Successful healing begins with discovering the root cause of the patient’s pain. In most cases, pain in one area is only a symptom of a larger issue. In a full-body movement assessment, the source of the problem is identified by examining the movement of nearby or connected parts. This allows movement to be restored and the body to complete the healing process.

Hands-on Manual Therapy
The Superior Method employs the help of a trained therapist certified in functional manual reaction. The therapist uses their hands to facilitate proper motion, improving areas of restriction. This is similar to deep tissue massage, but it incorporates movement.

Prescriptive Home Exercise Program
The Superior Method aims to educate patients on how the body moves to safely ease pain and restore function. With our smartphone app called Movement RX, we empower patients with the knowledge and tools needed to attain long-term physical freedom. All of the instructions provided by your physician will also be video-recorded and sent directly to your email or mobile device.

Applied Functional Science
This principles-based method is designed to improve how the mind, body, and spirit work together to facilitate complete healing. All Superior Physical Therapy providers are Fellows of Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. This organization is led by the reputable physical therapist, Dr. Gary Gray.

Deep Muscle Stimulation
Mechanical vibrations that penetrate deep into the muscle tissue enable tissue regeneration and improve the lactic cycle, which is one of the most common causes of pain. The procedure also helps boost circulation and lymphatic flow to alleviate pain.

Dry Needling
A fast, safe, and virtually pain-free method to reduce pain and address musculoskeletal presentations. In dry needling, trigger points or local contractures are stimulated by monofilament needles.

McKenzie Therapy
The McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) is a distinguished and internationally researched method of diagnosis and treatment for spinal and extremity musculoskeletal conditions. Created by New Zealand Physiotherapist Robin McKenzie, this system has been used globally for over 60 years. MDT-certified clinicians assess and treat all types of musculoskeletal disorders including complications in the spine, muscles, tendons, and extremity joints.

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