Osteopenia exercise treatment

Your Osteopenia exercise treatment can prevent fractures and it can stop and reverse your bone loss. It should be part of your health care plan.

The health care community is concerned about Osteopenia and Osteoporosis because these conditions lead to fractures. Fractures of the wrist, the hip, the spine or ankle are most common.

If you suffer a fracture, it will not only be painful and inconvenient, it often leads to loss of your independence. And many research studies show that hip fractures often result in the person's death within a year!

The first focus of your treatment plan should be to reduce the possibility of fractures.

Osteopenia exercise treatment is one of the most effective ways to prevent fractures. It should be part of your health plan. Unlike some of the prescription medications, exercise can be inexpensive and it something completely under your control.

You decide when you will do it and how long you will do it.You can even decide which exercises you will use. My aim is to offer you information. Oh, and yes, it is important toconsult your health care provider about any new exercise plan you are going to use. This is especially true if you have othermedical conditions for which you are being treated or if your bone loss has already reached the stage of Osteoporosis.

There are so many effective Osteopenia exercise treatment plans that you will be able to find a program that fits your own lifestyle. On this site you can read how to improve your balance and prevent falls AND you can study the Bone density exercises.

If you are serious about preventing fractures, you will start with Balance and co-ordination exercises You can do these in the kitchen while waiting for water to boil or you can do them between TV programs. They are easy and theyare effective in preventing falls. And you can read about bone building exercises . (There are additional links to specific exercises towards the end of this page). If you are serious about your good health, you will start an Osteopenia exercise treatment as soon as possible.

Osteopenia exercise treatment - is it effective?

But the Tuffts University Osteopenia exercise treatment study was not just about bone density. The exercisers also improved muscle mass, strength and balance - all important for preventing falls and fractures.

Reference: Nelson ME, Fiatarone MA, Morganti CM, Trice I, Greenberg RA, Evans WJ."Effects of high-intensity strength training on multiple risk factors for osteoporotic fractures. A randomized controlled trial."JAMA. 1994 Dec 28;272(24):1909-14.

Since that landmark study in 1994, there have been many additional studies of the effectiveness of Ostopenia exercise treatment. They have even brought such programs into nursing homes. Some residents who were using walkers or canes were able to discard these assitive devices after participating in an Osteopenia exercise treatment program.

The research has shown time and time again that Osteopenia exercise treatment is one of the best ways to prevent fractures and restore vitality.

Programs to consider:

Let's start with an overview:

1. If your dexa scan has shown that you have Osteoporosis (and not just Osteopenia ) you need to read and follow the advice in this Osteoporosis Warning so you do not 'do more harm than good' when adopting a program. NOTE: I add to the Warning page as I find additional cautions listed in the research so it is worth rechecking every soften. Read Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Exercise warning

2. Balance and coordination. The most effective way to prevent fractures is to prevent falls. "The most usual occurrence resulting in a fracture of an older adult is a 'simple' fall from standing height or less."

It is wise to begin with balance and coordination in your Osteopenia exercise treatment. These exercises are important because most Osteoporosic fractures occur from standing falls. And it is a fact that as we age, we slowly lose our balance and equilibrium.

These changes happen so slowly that most people do not notice them until they actually fall. See: Balance and Coordination exercises

And you will want to check out this Tai Chi program since it has been shown to improve balance and co-ordination AND is slows bone loss. Go to Tai Chi program

3. There are other ways to improve bone strengthening. There are a number of ways to do this. You can find information about at:

• Here are some suggestions: Osteopenia exercise treatment for increased bone density
• There is a special page about Walking - Is it a bone density exercise? How to Make Our Walking More effective? Walkingfor Bone Density
• For those who do not want to join a gym. There are exercises you can do at home. Here are Home Based Osteopenia exercise treatment
.
• Many exercise programs suggest using weights.But it is important to use the right kind of weights. Here is an article about ankle weights that can be used to improve hip bone density.See: Ankle weights for improving hip bone density and here is one about using a Weighted vest to improve your spine
• There has been a good deal of advertising about whole body vibration exercise machines. Here is some information about Whole Body Vibration machines

4. And last but not least, I repeat the advice to consult with your health care provider before you start your exercise program. You know that everyone advises that but there are very good reasons for doing so.

If you want to keep up with the latest research about Osteopenia and Osteoporosis do subscribe to our monthly Osteopenia Updates Newsletter

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