Chiropractic Care Benefits Patients with Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that often goes unnoticed until it significantly impacts one's health. Since bone is a living tissue that replaces itself over time (your entire skeleton is replaced every ten years), bone density loss is possible. Osteoporosis occurs when the body does not produce enough new bone or the body absorbs too much existing bone. You do not feel osteoporosis happening and usually only know you have it through a bone density scan or when a weakened bone fractures and you feel pain.
The disease primarily affects bones such as the hip, spine, and wrist, making them fragile and more susceptible to breaks from even minor incidents. While it can affect anyone, osteoporosis is notably more common in postmenopausal women due to a decrease in estrogen levels, which is crucial for maintaining bone density. Furthermore, individuals with calcium deficiencies, those who use steroids, have thyroid issues, or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or celiac disease, are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
Understanding the risk factors and recognizing the silent nature of bone density loss are key steps towards managing and preventing osteoporosis. Regular bone density scans can help detect the condition early, and lifestyle changes, along with appropriate medical interventions, can mitigate its impact.
Understanding the Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, often called the "silent disease," usually remains undetected until a seemingly minor incident leads to a bone break or fracture. This condition gradually progresses without obvious symptoms, which makes early diagnosis challenging. However, there are several subtle signs that might hint at the presence of osteoporosis, including:
- Unexpected Fractures: If bones fracture easily from minor accidents or falls, it could be a sign that they have become less dense and more fragile.
- Decrease in Height: Over time, individuals suffering from osteoporosis might notice a reduction in their height, which can be a result of the spinal vertebrae compressing or collapsing.
- Persistent Back Pain: A common symptom that often goes unnoticed as a sign of osteoporosis is continuous or recurring lower back pain.
- Altered Posture: A stooped or curved posture can develop when the spine is affected by bone density loss.
- Bone Weakness: This generic symptom is less observable but crucial, as the bones become weaker and more prone to injuries.
Recognizing these symptoms early can lead to a quicker diagnosis and more effective management of osteoporosis, potentially preventing significant complications and improving quality of life.
What are some other ways you can improve bone health?
Many patients experience relief from osteoporosis symptoms after seeing a chiropractor, but you may also want to explore additional remedies. It's wise to consult with a medical professional before treating your osteoporosis at home, but here are some helpful solutions:
- Strength training or weightlifting
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements
- Limit or avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
Cigarettes and alcohol are often risky choices, but they are especially bad for patients with osteoporosis. These vices leech nutrients from your body, so it has to work harder to produce what you need. This is a problem for patients with osteoporosis, as you may already have nutritional deficiencies responsible for your symptoms.
How Osteoporosis Works
Not everyone with osteoporosis has it in every bone. Many patients can have it just in the jaw, for example, or just the lower (lumbar) spine. And contrary to popular belief, women aren’t the only ones who can get it. Men are also susceptible. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the reason most men don’t consider themselves at risk for osteoporosis is that most women who get it do so because of rapid bone loss after menopause. However, by age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate. So don’t disregard this post if you’re a man. You can get it in your twilight years just as quickly as women. Osteoporosis is most common in older Caucasian women with petite frames and a family history of the disease.
Since bone is a living tissue that replaces itself over time (your entire skeleton is replaced every ten years), bone density loss is possible. Osteoporosis occurs when the body does not produce enough new bone or the body absorbs too much existing bone. You do not feel osteoporosis happening and usually only know you have it through a bone density scan or when a weakened bone fractures and you feel pain.
How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed
Diagnosing osteoporosis involves a series of evaluations and tests to accurately assess bone density and overall bone health. The primary diagnostic tool is the bone density scan, known technically as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This test is crucial for measuring the density of bones at key sites, typically the hip and spine, and is both quick and non-invasive.
The results of a DEXA scan are given as a T-score, which compares your bone density with that of a healthy young adult. The T-score interpretation is as follows:
- A T-score at or above -1 is considered normal.
- A T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates low bone mass, or osteopenia.
- A T-score at or below -2.5 is diagnostic of osteoporosis.
In addition to the DEXA scan, doctors might order supplemental tests to further evaluate bone health. These can include blood tests to measure levels of vitamin D and calcium—crucial markers for bone health. Advanced imaging options, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, might also be utilized to provide a detailed view of bone structure and to identify any fractures or other abnormalities.
Preventing Osteoporosis in the Spine
When it comes to your spine, getting enough calcium and vitamin D isn’t the only thing you can do. Weight-bearing exercise is critical for preventing spinal osteoporosis. Spine-health.com tells us this means exercises you perform while standing up and working the bones and muscles against gravity, which increases bone density in the spine. They recommend 20-30 minutes of these exercises three or four times per week to be effective in preventing osteoporosis in the spine.
Have you ever been diagnosed with Osteoporosis?
So while your elementary school teachers and doctors were right about drinking milk, that’s not the only thing you can do to keep osteoporosis from restricting your movement later in life. Gentle, Low-force chiropractic treatments we specialize in (Activator Method Chiropractic Technique) help restore joint mobility so you can move with confidence and ease. Keep up a good diet and exercise regularly and remember to continue doing weight-bearing exercises into your old age.
