The following question was asked during a recent Q&A webinar. The question comes from a Physical Therapist currently taking the Building Better Bones Physical Therapy continuing education course. The student is a Physical Therapist working in an orthopaedics Physical Therapy clinic and is treating a young woman, 30+ years old, for osteoporosis. She asks for suggestions on different treatment options.
Question: How to Treat a 30 Year Old Woman with Osteoporosis?
The student has a 30+ year old female client with osteoporosis and asks about the treatment options available. The client is in her mid thirties, has low bone density, maintains an active lifestyle, keeps a good posture and has excellent cardiovascular health. She is 120 pounds and is five feet three inches in height. She does have a family history of osteoporosis but has not experienced a feature yet. She is a nurse and is very aware of her nutrition.
She does yoga and needs to be attentive to her poses. She is also a runner and does moderate distance runs.
However, she is celiac and when she was in her teens was inactive because of illness. As a result she missed her key bone building years. Fortunately she is pre-menopausal so she can catch up.
My Response
I believe that health professionals need to be more aware that we need to start treating the skeletal health of our clients as early as possible. The key bone formation years are the teens. We need to encourage activity and provide guidance on nutrition during these important years.
I am seeing quite a few clients, like the one discussed in this webinar, coming to me in their thirties with low bone density and in need of the right exercise programs and guidance. I encourage health professionals to look at this population and consider their needs.
My suggestions for the student on the webinar is to consider the following options with her client:
- Make sure the client is taking adequate Omega-3. Recent studies have demonstrated the important of omega-3.
- The client should consider shortening the distance of her runs and increasing intensity.
- The client should consider a weighted vest when she walks.
- The client should ensure that she is doing strength training – particularly exercises targeted at activation of the spinal extensors.
- The client needs to make sure her yoga poses are safe. I suggest she look at Yoga for Better Bones.
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Health Professionals: Building Better Bones Online Course
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