Find Out About Osteoporosis & Where You Stand
You may think of osteoporosis as a bone disease in elderly women. But the American Chiropractic Association says 20 million American women have osteoporosis and 80 percent won’t know it until they fracture a bone!
Also, the ACA says one in two women, and one in eight men, will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
Osteoporosis is a gradual, chronic condition that steals bone from the body and leads to hip, spine and wrist fractures. It is silent and painless until a fracture occurs
Osteoporosis Testing
In your regular checkup you can ask your doctor when you should have an osteoporosis test, and when you have your assessment you may want to enlist more help.
A chiropractor can help you handle immediate problems and learn ways to keep your bones strong.
The initial visit to the chiropractor includes a spinal adjustment to evaluate spinal health. A complete medical history is reviewed along with a discussion of daily activities at home, at work and on the weekends. As you fill in the details of your life, the chiropractor will be on the alert for possible issues to avoid fractures.
Starting with your osteoporosis assessment, the chiropractor will want to talk about a healthy diet like the one ACA suggests with fresh veggies and fruits, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, salmon, whole grains, low fat milk and yogurt and lots of water, teas and juices. They will also suggest reducing caffeine, sodas, alcohol, junk food and baked goods, and considering calcium supplements.
From there the chiropractor might suggest regular exercise, like walking, jumping rope, swimming, jogging or aerobics. If you have been assessed with severe osteoporosis the chiropractor may suggest Tai Chi.
In Tai Chi much of your body movement is upper body, and in slow motion. The class helps improve balance, strength, and mood.
As you continue to see your chiropractor, it may seem like you have just found a new health and wellness coach who can be great at helping you with at home exercises, and safe ways to stay active.
There will also be advice on important subjects like safe lifting. You might need to learn what to look out for when lifting grandkids. Or there may be a need to discuss your home and work environment as you talk about steps, loose carpets and slick tile floors.
The goal will always be to help prevent fracture falls, and maintain a regular schedule without painkillers or surgery.
Find out where you stand on osteoporosis now and consider making an appointment with the chiropractor.