Osteoporosis is the term for when bone density reduces past a certain threshold. It is diagnosed by a specialist X-ray where images are taken from multiple areas in the body and analysed. If the score these images produces is below -2.5 you will be diagnosed with osteoporosis. If the score is between -2.5 and -1 you may be diagnosed with osteopenia, which is a less severe loss of density.
Osteoporisis Basics
Bones are not solid, they are full of little holes. These are important for shock absorption, but they are only small. When density reduces, the holes become bigger, and bone becomes more fragile.
Bone density peaks around the age of 30. After this time we slowly begin to lose mineral from bone, which is normal. Demineralisation is accelerated by hormonal changes such as the menopause and subsequent loss of oestrogen. This does mean that older women are at particular risk of developing osteoporosis. To keep bones strong you can ensure you have enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet. Perhaps even more importantly, make sure you undertake load bearing activities throughout the week. Load bearing exercise doesn’t mean you have to go to a gym and lift weights; body weight exercise is effective too. Even things like running will put demand through bone.
Osteoporotic Fractures
When bones lose density they are more prone to fracture. Two common examples of osteoporotic fracture are crush fractures of the vertebrae, and hip fractures. Those spinal fractures can happen with surprisingly low velocity, and may not be recognised until found on routine X-rays years later. Seeing the results on an x-ray of a spinal fracture that you didn’t know about can be quite scary but the report will give you an idea of whether or not you should be concerned. Most historic fractures are past the point of change. So although they may have changed the curve of your spine, they are more likely to be stable, and therefore may not even be flagged by the doctor who ordered the scan. Hip fractures can be more significant from an impact perspective, as falls are more likely to result in a fracture that may require hospitalisation.
it is important that your osteopath is aware of any low bone density issues you might have, as this will inform the choice of techniques used. For example: stronger manipulation techniques are not appropriate if your bones are less able to tolerate the force involved.
Osteopathy to support bone health with Osteoporosis
Osteopaths don’t just treat pain. We are also interested in preventing any issues you might have further down the line. So it makes sense that we would be here to support you in keeping your bone density up. Although we can’t treat bone density directly, we can work to keep you mobile, active, and comfortable. Thus, we can enable you to do the things you need to do to encourage strong bones.
If you’re suffering from any aches and pains that limit the exercise you want to do, you can book in with your osteopath to address those issues and attempt to prevent osteoporosis down the line. Too often after injury, people are told that they’ll have to give up doing the things they love. A lot of the time that is not strictly true. At your first appointment we can gauge how serious the limiting your issue really needs to be and work together to help you reach realistic goals.
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