Have you ever heard your mother or grandmother complain about pain, discomfort, and weakness? This blog might be for you!
While it can be anything else, Osteoporosis might be the one. Osteoporosis weakens bones, especially in postmenopausal women.
Why does that happen?
It's because a hormone named estrogen declines, and having lower levels of estrogen increases the risk of Osteoporosis. As bone density decreases, the risk of fractures increases, impacting daily life and future health. It happens when the body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With Osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn't keep up with old bone removal.
It's easy to confuse this condition with others, so let us understand what Osteoporosis means for women after menopause and how physiotherapy can help manage it.
CAUSES
While Osteoporosis may have various causes, such as mineral deficiency and malnutrition, the most common cause in women is menopause.
CHARACTERISTICS-
1) PAIN! PAIN! PAIN!
The tiniest task becomes painful. How is one supposed to enjoy the little joys of life with the pain?
Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic disorder unless complications like fractures occur.
2) Fragile bones
As bone density decreases, bones become fragile. You will also notice a stooped posture, which will not only affect her body image but also her self-confidence and might lead to fractures.
On examination, the findings are subtle and can be missed. A slight loss of height and increased kyphosis due to compression of the vertebral bodies is seen in most cases.
3) Weakness
Muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, and quality of life.
4) Lack of balance and coordination
The individual, due to all these factors, might be at risk of falling, impairing their coordination as well as balance.
PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT
1)Weight-Bearing Exercises
Weight-bearing is a major stimulus to bone formation. Increased guarded activity would, therefore, benefit the patient.
For example, walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, elliptical training machines, stair climbing, and gardening.
2)Resistive exercises
Using resistance bands or light weights helps improve muscle strength, which supports bones.
Training tools include dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells. Medicine balls, sandbags, and weighted balls or bags are also extensively used.
3)Posture Correction
Physiotherapists teach techniques to improve posture and body mechanics to prevent further bone loss and reduce pain.
4)Balance and Stability Training
Exercises to enhance balance and stability reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
5)Pain Management
Manual therapy
Hot packs and modalities such as TENS
OTHER TREATMENT METHODS
1) High-protein diet
Increasing protein intake may increase the formation of the organic matrix of the bone.
2)Calcium supplementation
This may be helpful in cases with a calcium deficiency in their diet.
3) Estrogens
Estrogens and androgens have been shown to halt the progressive loss of bone mass in postmenopausal Osteoporosis.
4) Vitamin D
In addition to the above, which increases calcium absorption from the gut.
5)Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle has zero benefits, so move! Move your body and stay active.
6)Bracing
Bracing the spine using an ASH or Taylor brace may help prevent pathological fractures in a severely osteoporotic spine.
Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and tailor-made treatment plans. Osteoporosis cannot stop you from living the life that you love, so live on! Take the best forms of care, and you will manage the condition very well. Spread awareness, take preventive measures, and empower yourself to live well despite Osteoporosis.
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