Have you noticed you are “shrinking” or getting smaller after menopause? Have you broken a bone during a minor event? You may be suffering from osteopenia.
Osteopenia is a condition that occurs when your body doesn’t make new bone as quickly as it reabsorbs old bone. The result is a loss of bone mass and your bones getting weaker. This weakness makes you more susceptible to fractures.
Fortunately, our team at Optimal Home Rehab in the greater Philadelphia area of PA can help you prevent and treat low bone mass at any age. We will teach you the type of exercises that best build and maintain strong bones so you can continue to do what you love.
Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists!
Causes and risk factors of osteopenia
Aging is the most common risk factor for osteopenia. After your bone mass peaks, your body breaks down old bone faster than builds new bone. That means you lose some bone density. Women lose bone more quickly after menopause due to lower estrogen levels.
There are other risk factors for osteopenia, including:
- Low-calcium diet
- Smoking
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption
- Certain diseases (i.e., Hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism)
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn’s disease
- Medications (i.e., long-term corticosteroid use)
- Chronic Kidney Disease
If you suspect you may have or be developing osteopenia, don’t hesitate to call Optimal Home Rehab to learn what you can do to improve your bone health!
How physical therapy can help osteopenia
The therapy aims to improve bone mass density and/or to slow osteopenia while improving your overall function. Exercise, specifically weight-bearing and/or strength training exercises, has proven valuable in slowing down or preventing bone mass density.
Our therapists will conduct a thorough history to understand more about your bone health, current function, and overall health status. We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes mobility work, gravity-resistance strengthening exercises, including weights and resistive bands.
In addition, we will focus on progressing dynamic stability by incorporating balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure you maximize your outcome and reduce the risk of injury, particularly fall-related injuries.
Call today to schedule an appointment
At Optimal Home Rehab in the greater Philadelphia area of PA, we will guide you through safe and effective exercises to ensure you can stay active and enjoy your life!
Contact today to set up an assessment with one of our highly trained physical therapists!