Monitoring and Managing Osteoporosis with the Help of a Chiropractor

The 206 bones in the human body build a complex framework to facilitate stability and movement. Despite their hardiness (and assumed permanence), bones need to be taken care of or they can start to degrade. One of the most common bone problems experienced by millions of people around the world is osteoporosis.

During osteoporosis, the density of your bones gradually decreases, making them less strong and more susceptible to fracture. This problem occurs when bone cell degeneration is faster than bone cell regeneration, meaning your bones break down faster than they can grow.

Living with osteoporosis is extremely challenging, as everyday activities like walking can result in a fractured or broken bone. However, hope is not lost for patients – it is possible to slow or reverse the effects of osteoporosis after a diagnosis. Through Ideal Spine, chiropractors are able to learn effective techniques to treat patients with osteoporosis and help them return to living life as normally as possible.

Chiropractic management techniques for osteoporosis

People diagnosed with osteoporosis often assume they are unable to seek chiropractic care due to the fragility of their bones, but this is incorrect. Chiropractors offer valuable treatments for osteoporosis patients and can be instrumental in the management and monitoring of their condition.

If you suspect you have osteoporosis or fall into one of the categories of people who are at high risk for the condition, a licensed chiropractor may be able to test your bone density using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA scan). This scan will determine if your bone density is normal, low, or at a level at which you can be formally diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Once bone density has been determined, a treatment or prevention plan can be implemented. The type of care your chiropractor will recommend will largely depend on the severity of your osteoporosis and what your bones will be able to handle at their current density.

In certain cases, chiropractic adjustments may help stimulate bone growth. These adjustments may need to be modified and made gentler if you are currently diagnosed with osteoporosis to accommodate for the reduced bone strength.

However, there are other, more common treatments a chiropractor can work through with you. The chiropractor may be able to perform soft tissue therapies, stretches, and exercises on you to help improve your mobility. These actions may also help strengthen the muscles and tissues surrounding your bones to help stabilize them and prevent injury.

They may also suggest lifestyle changes that are known to help build and maintain bone density, such as eating a nutritious diet with ample levels of vitamin D and calcium. Additionally, weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, and some weight training may help you build bone mass over time.

Long-term chiropractic monitoring can help assess progress

Unfortunately, osteoporosis is a chronic and progressive condition that usually worsens over time if it is not treated. Even when receiving treatment, there is no guarantee that your bone mass will improve.

However, continuing to work with your chiropractor to monitor your condition can help guide a long-term treatment plan. Routine care is necessary to be able to adjust your treatments depending on your progress.

Your chiropractor may want you to have bone density tests done every one to two years to verify the progression of your osteoporosis and see if the current treatments are slowing or reversing your symptoms. If treatment is not stalling the condition, changes to the plan may be necessary.

When you work with a Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP)-trained chiropractor through Ideal Spine, you’ll know you can trust that you’re receiving a quality level of care with each visit. CBP emphasizes total-body wellness, not just spine health, to maintain the health and happiness of patients.

Chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective care trained Chiropractors are located throughout the United States and in several international locations. CBP providers have helped thousands of people throughout the world realign their spine back to health, and eliminate a source of chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and a wide range of other health conditions. If you are serious about your health and the health of your loved ones, contact a CBP trained provider today to see if you qualify for care. The exam and consultation are often FREE. See www.CBPpatient.com for providers in your area.