Osteoporosis is a disorder in which the bones (due to a loss of calcium) become increasingly porous, brittle, and subject to fracture. It is the cause of more than 1.5 million fractures each year. The most common fractures occur at the hip, wrist, and spine, but the ribs, pelvis, and upper arms are also vulnerable. While osteoporosis occurs three times more often in women, it affects men as well.
After referral to Rusk Institute, patients undergo a safe and effective exercise program, customized to meet their needs by a physical therapist. Individual or group treatment may include:
Strength and flexibility training - Focuses on the specific muscles affected by osteoporosis, especially muscles of the spine
Weight-bearing exercise - Promotes increased bone density through exercises done while standing
Postural awareness - Improves upright posture to benefit breathing, mobility, digestion, appearance, and decreases the risk of fractures
Body mechanics - Decreases risk of injury during everyday activities
Fall prevention - Includes an assessment of the home environment and
training for mobility and balance to decrease the risk of falling and
sustaining fractures
