Osteoarthritis (OA) Treatment
Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Melbourne
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
All About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones lose important minerals, such as calcium, at a faster rate than the body is able to replenish them. This leaves them to become vulnerable to fractures and even bone loss. Many people with osteoporosis may not even realise they have the condition, as its symptoms are often silent and unnoticeable— until a fracture happens.
Osteoporosis tends to affect people aged in their 70s and over, though it may also occur in younger people, particularly if they have certain risk factors. While osteoporosis is a common condition, there are ways it may be able to be managed, giving you more possibility of living the life you want to lead.
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
What is Osteopenia and How is it Treated?
Osteopenia is a loss of bone mineral density, also known as BMD. This is another condition that affects the strength of your bones, though it is not quite as severe as osteoporosis. People who develop osteopenia tend to be post-menopausal women in their 50s and older, though men may also be affected. People with osteopenia may or may not develop osteoporosis, but as certain lifestyle changes may help to preserve bone density, osteopenia treatment is often recommended.
Osteopenia treatment aims to prevent the condition from progressing into osteoporosis. It focuses on strategies to keep your bones as strong and healthy as possible for as long as possible, and may include strategies such as:
- Calcium treatment
- Exercise
- Dietary changes
- Vitamin D supplements
- Bone density monitoring
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
Our Approach to Osteoporosis and Osteopenia Treatment
Risk Assessment
We will assess your risk for fractures. You may be able to gain some insight into your risk by using the FRAX® Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, which you can find on their website.
Lifestyle Advice
Whether you may benefit from lifestyle changes, nutrition advice, or a shift in the way you exercise, we take your personal circumstances into account to build the best possible plan for you.
Physical Activity Program Development
This may include a home program, gym program, or a program specifically designed for our Pilates studio.
Education
Education is incredibly important when it comes to your bone health. With in-depth knowledge and years of experience, our skilled physiotherapists have the information you need.
Exercise Prescription
We focus on specific, safe exercises tailored to you. With these, our aim is to help you improve your strength, posture, spinal flexibility, and balance.
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
Your Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Questions Answered
- Being assigned female at birth
- Having a direct relative who has had an osteoporotic fracture
- Inadequate dietary calcium
- Low vitamin D levels
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
- High caffeine intake
- Lack of physical activity
- Early menopause (before age 45)
- Loss of menstrual period
- Long-term use of certain medications such as corticosteroids
Certain conditions that may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis or osteopenia include:
- Thyroid disease
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Coeliac disease
- Inflammatory bowel conditions
Both men and women may be able to reduce their risk by:
- Maintaining a healthy and diverse diet including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Consuming foods rich in calcium to support bone health such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified foods
- Ensuring adequate absorption of vitamin D by spending time outdoors and incorporating dietary sources such as fatty fish and fortified products
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Moderating caffeine intake
- Engaging in regular weight-bearing and strength-training exercises including walking, jogging, dancing, and weightlifting
Bone mineral density refers to the amount of minerals, mainly calcium, present in your bones. You could think of it as the density or strength of your bones. Having good bone mineral density is important because it indicates how strong and sturdy your bones are. When you have healthy bone mineral density, your bones are less likely to break or fracture easily.
Bone mineral density can change throughout your life. During childhood and adolescence, your bones grow and become stronger, reaching their peak density in early adulthood. However, as you get older, especially after the age of 30, your bones naturally start to lose some of their mineral content. This is a normal part of ageing.
Healthcare professionals can measure your bone mineral density using a painless test called a DXA scan. This test helps determine if your bones are healthy or if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
GLEN EIRA PHYSIOTHERAPY
Building Strong Bones for a Resilient Future
While there’s no standard treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia, there may be ways to manage the conditions depending on your specific needs.
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If you would like to speak to one of our team members or make an appointment, please call us on (03) 9571 2111 or book online now.
Physiolates have been providing comprehensive care to patients in Melbourne’s South East. We are a multi-disciplinary clinic with highly experienced staff dedicated to providing high-quality care to our patients.
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