What is Osteoporosis?

In Bone & Joint Health let's discuss a major topic of interest:

Osteoporosis means "porous bones" is a condition in which bones become weak and/or brittle. Often caused by a lack of phosphorus, calcium and other minerals.

The most common problem of Osteoporosis are fractures, most commonly seen in the hip, wrist and/or spine. It's very important to maintain high levels of bone & joint health to ensure long lasting health of these structures in the body.

Symptoms: In the early stages of Osteoporosis there are usually no symptoms but in the later stages when bones have weakened:

• moderate to severe back pain
  
• stooped posture, loss of height
• fractures of hip, wrist and/or spine

How does it work?: When bones have fewer minerals than normal they begin losing the internal support system. In a process called remodeling, bone is constantly breaking down and regenerating. A full cycle of bone remodeling takes about 2-3 months. At a younger age our bodies create bone faster than it breaks down, therefore allowing more bone mass and density as opposed to in your mid 30s when bone remodeling changes and you create less than you break down.

How do I keep my bones Healthy?:

• low impact regular exercise ex: jogging, walking, swimming
• Calcium with Vitamin D (need Vitamin D to aid in Calcium absorption)

Lifestyle Changes:

• Posture! Create a regular habit of maintaining great posture - we specialize in Postural alignment in our clinic through Chiropractic myofascial manipulation. This treatment includes soft tissue release techniques to help improve your posture through natural joint therapy.

• Avoid injuries/trauma! Maintain a healthy & safe home environment. Wear flat shoes. Possibly get arch/sole supports for your shoes.
  

• Nutrition! Use Isotonix supplements available at our office for Calcium & Vitamin D. The Isotonix advantage is that this form absorbs much more of the Calcium into your intestinal tract as opposed to a "pill form". We carry the Isotonix form of our supplements to maximize your absorption allowing for increased benefit from the supplements.