Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis
Virginia Hospital Center’s Osteoporosis Therapists
Description:
Physical Therapists at Virginia Hospital Center who work with osteoporosis patients have extensive training in The Meeks Method for exercise and movement.
If you or your family member is diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, or if you think you are at risk, please discuss with your physician if Physical Therapy is an option for you. You can also find more information on the diagnosis and factors that put you at risk in the diagnosis section that follows.
To talk with a therapist skilled in working with osteoporosis patients, call: 703.558.6507 and ask to speak to a member of the spinal/orthopedic team.
Diagnosis:
About Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and more likely to break. Any bone can be affected, but those most likely to break are the hip, spine and wrist. A hip or spine fracture can limit mobility, cause pain, and lead to prolonged disability, even death. Osteoporosis is a public health threat for millions of Americans. Although women are most affected by the disease, 20% of patients with osteoporosis are men.
Who is at Risk for Osteoporosis?
| Women |
Men |
| Smokers/non-smokers |
People who abuse alcohol |
| Thin people |
Obese people |
| Sedentary people |
People who over-exercise |
| Pre-menopausal women |
Post-menopausal women |
| Teenagers |
Heavy antacid users |
| Anorexics or bulimics |
People with family history of osteoporosis |
| People who have lost body height |
|
Medications That Put You at Risk for Osteoporosis
| Corticosteroids |
Long-term thyroid medication use |
| Diuretics |
Anticonvulsants |
| Heparin |
Coumadin |
| Methotrexate (for treating cancer) |
Cholestyramine (controls cholesterol) |
| Cyclosporine A |
Antacids containing aluminum |
| GnRH (for treating endometriosis) |
|
Diseases That Put You at Risk for Osteoporosis
| Thyroid dysfunction (high or low) |
Diabetes |
| Congential disorders |
Liver dysfunction |
| Burns |
Primary hyperparathyroidism |
| Cushing’s disease |
COPD |
| Cancer |
Seizures |
| Chronic inflammation |
Neurological disorders |
| TB |
Malabsorption syndrome |
| Rheumatoid arthritis |
Kidney dialysis |
| Organ transplants |
|
Specialized Care Services:
Three Components of the Treatment of Osteoporosis
The three components of treating osteoporosis are medication, diet and exercise.
Medications include:
Fosamax®, Evista®, and Actonel®.
Your physician will discuss the options with you.
Nutrition:
To be addressed by your dietician.
Exercise:
The Osteoporosis Program in the Rehab Department at VHC starts with our assessment of the patient. We will gather information from you during a one-on-one discussion. This will be followed by a series of tests to obtain your baseline measurements in a number of areas and using a variety of tools. From there we will tailor a program to meet your needs. As a general outline the program often includes education about the disease, instruction in exercises for proper posture, teaching you safe and efficient ways to move throughout your day, incorporating weight-bearing exercise, balance training, and ultimately a progression to strength-training program. The underlying goals focus on improvement in bone strength, decreasing the risk of fracture and pain, and maximizing function and mobility.