Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a health condition that many Canadians experience later in life. Typically, the disease develops over many years and is often first diagnosed after a fall or fracture because it doesn’t have any outward symptoms during onset.
If you live in Port Moody and you have osteoporosis, massage therapy is a highly effective complementary treatment for some of the effects of osteoporosis. However, it’s essential to consult your doctor before you embark on any course of alternative therapy if you have lowered bone density.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that describes a weakening of the bone due to a lessening of its overall density. Bones naturally have tiny voids within them, but when those voids become larger due to osteoporosis, bones become far more prone to injury and breakage.
Cancellous bone makes up parts of healthy bones, forming honeycomb-like structures inside the ends of longer bones in the legs and arms and within vertebrae in the spine. Osteoporosis can cause weakness in these areas and also results in making the cortical parts of bones thinner and less robust. Cortical material forms the exterior of bones and is denser than the interior, without honeycomb structure.
Injuries associated with Osteoporosis
Bones with osteoporosis are more at risk from fractures and breakages than healthy bones, and the condition can be so severe as to cause such injuries during everyday activities like walking. The disease is more common in the elderly but can occur in anyone at any age. Women are also more likely to develop osteoporosis. Common injuries are:
- Broken wrists.
- Broken bones in the spine, and pressure fractures in the vertebrae.
- Broken hips.
- Broken limbs and ribs.
Living with Osteoporosis
When severe, osteoporosis is truly life-changing, and patients can experience fractures while sneezing or coughing. The condition itself is rarely painful, but people live with a constant fear of injury and pain. Osteoporosis is sometimes characterized in older patients by a stooped posture caused by compression fractures in the spine.
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you can reduce your chances of injury by making changes at home to remove hazards and by making sure you get regular eye tests.
What is Osteopenia?
Osteopenia often occurs before osteoporosis, and it’s when you’ve begun to lose bone material and density – but not to the degree that defines osteoporosis itself. Not all people who develop osteopenia go on to experience full-blown osteoporosis, but if you’ve been diagnosed with osteopenia, there are things you should consider.
- Your doctor may prescribe specialist treatments and medications to strengthen your bones, depending on your condition.
- You should exercise regularly and gently well within the limits of your condition to strengthen bones – it’s essential to discuss any planned exercise with your physician.
- Eating healthily is essential when your bone density gets lessened. You should eat foods rich in calcium and get plenty of vitamin D.
- You can consider taking a vitamin D supplement but talk to your doctor first.
- If you smoke, it’s time to quit. You should also reduce or eliminate your alcohol intake.
Risk factors for Osteoporosis
As we get older, all of us lose some of our bone material and density, but sometimes people lose it faster than normal – and osteoporosis occurs. Our bodies are constantly renewing themselves, but as we age, the rate at which we replace our bones slows down, and that’s when osteoporosis happens for most people. Some factors place you in a higher risk bracket for the condition:
- If you don’t take regular exercise.
- If you’re a heavy drinker and/or smoker.
- Post-menopausal women are in a high-risk bracket for osteoporosis and lose bone density rapidly after menopause occurs.
Massage Therapy in Port Moody for Osteoporosis
Perhaps not surprisingly, one of the most debilitating effects of osteoporosis can be anxiety. Patients often live in fear of injury and typically become inactive as a result, but it’s essential to try and keep moving when you have the condition.
Registered massage therapists in Port Moody treat many people with osteoporosis, and the benefits of gentle Swedish massage promote relaxation and lessen anxiety. Massage therapy for osteoporosis is an increasingly popular choice for many Canadian sufferers.
Massage therapy after fractures can also alleviate some of the pain osteoporosis patients experience, promote mobility, and improve blood flow and circulation – which is good for healing.
Clinical counselling can form a vital part of treatment for osteoporosis, many other conditions and injuries, and anxiety in general. Often, after an injury, a diagnosis, or when trying to deal with the new challenges a severe illness such as osteoporosis can bring, our mental well-being can profoundly affect physical health as we move forward.
Need An Appointment?
Inspine Therapy is a multi-disciplinary clinic located in the heart of Coquitlam and Port Moody. We care about providing fundamental healing through all-in-one care that focuses on helping you recover, improve, and optimize your health until you’re in the best condition possible.
Our services include massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, active rehab, clinical counselling, and pilates. Visit our newly renovated clinic and book your appointment today!
