Get ready to dive into some super helpful tips on preventing osteoporosis, as we focus on how physiotherapy can really make a difference in helping women keep their bones strong and healthy.
Chances are, you’ll have heard of osteoporosis, because it’s a condition that, according to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, affects a whopping three and a half million women in the UK alone. Osteoporosis mainly affects women over 50 years of age, though it can affect younger women, and men too.
In this article, we’ll share some valuable insights on how to keep your bones healthy and strong, no matter where you are on life’s journey.
What is Osteoporosis?
Let’s dig a little deeper into osteoporosis in women. Females are more at risk of developing this bone-thinning condition because of the hormone changes that happen when they hit menopause. In short, these changes affect bone density. Osteoporosis can also be due to a lack of calcium and vitamin D, plus family history can also play a part in making your bones more fragile.
Keep an eye out for symptoms like back pain, loss of height, and easily broken bones; these could be signs that your bones need some extra TLC. But it’s not all doom and gloom! With early detection and some smart preventive measures, it’s possible to stay one step ahead of osteoporosis and keep your bones healthy and happy for many years to come.
Physiotherapy for Bone Health
When it comes to bone health, physiotherapy can work wonders in boosting bone density, strength, and overall musculoskeletal well-being.
In fact, research indicates that physiotherapy interventions can lead to a significant improvement in bone health and reduce the risk of fractures in individuals. By getting prescribed, tailored exercises and techniques specifically tailored to prevent osteoporosis, you’re doing so much more than just exercising. You’re proactively safeguarding your bone health for the long-term.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Ready to work on developing strong, resilient bones? Here are our top tips for preventing osteoporosis:
- Get Moving with Physio: Incorporate regular physiotherapy sessions into your routine to enhance bone density, strength, and overall musculoskeletal health.
- Have a consultation about HRT with your GP or a Menopause Specialist: there is a wealth of information about the potential benefits of HRT for your bone density health – Osteoporosis: how to protect your bones during menopause and beyond – www.balance-menopause.com offers useful information and is a good place to start.
- Balanced Nutrition: Ensure your diet includes adequate calcium and vitamin D to support bone health. Calcium is found in leafy greens; think kale, spinach and cabbage, fruits like figs and oranges, plus dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Vitamin D can be found in fatty fish, some types of mushrooms, and egg yolks. Some supplements can also be useful.
- Weight-Bearing Exercises: Engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking, dancing, or resistance training to stimulate bone growth and reduce the risk of fractures.
- Posture Alignment: Work on developing good habits around posture. Again, physio can help with this and in reducing strain on your bones and joints.
- Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular assessments with a physiotherapist to monitor your bone health and adjust your prevention plan as needed.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and maintain a healthy body weight to support your overall bone health.
- Fall Prevention: Learn techniques to prevent falls through balance exercises and environmental modifications to reduce the risk of fractures.
Meet Vicky – Your Women’s Health Specialist
Although any of our physios can help you with osteoporosis prevention, we’re lucky to have a women’s health specialist, Vicky. Vicky has lots of expertise around osteoporosis management in women whose osteoporosis is linked with menopausal hormone changes. And she’s ready and waiting to help you with a personalised evaluation and treatment plan.
Ready to take the first step in combating osteoporosis? Get in touch with us at W5Physio for a consultation today.
