Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition whereby bone density decreases over time. As one of the most common bone diseases, osteoporosis is most frequently observed in aging patients.

Calcium serves several purposes within the body’s structural and nervous system, especially in the building and maintaining of bones. Throughout its life, the body uses the skeletal system as storage for calcium, from which it can reabsorb the mineral as needed.

If a person’s diet does not meet the body’s calcium demands, bone maintenance will be impaired. As a person ages it becomes more difficult for the body to sustain a proper calcium and phosphate levels, which means that more minerals are removed from the bones than are replaced. This leads to a weakening and thinning of bone tissue.

A person with osteoporosis develops brittle fragile bones, putting them at a higher risk of bone fractures. This means that severe trauma will produce more serious injuries, events that would not have produced injuries in the past will lead to fractures, and, in the advanced stages, fractures may occur without any incidence of trauma at all.

Osteoporosis symptoms are not overt until the condition is relatively advanced. Most people will not know they suffer from the disease until they experience a fracture. By this time, the disease is highly advanced and little can be done to reverse the damage. Other symptoms of advanced osteoporosis include lower back and neck pain, loss of height, poor posture, and bone tenderness.

Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men are. This increased incidence is linked to the fact that women experience decreases in estrogen levels during menopause. Being underweight, smoking, overindulging in alcohol, and suffering from amenorrhea can further increase a woman’s risk of developing the disease. Other conditions linked to osteoporosis in both genders include Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and bone cancer.

Although there is not an osteoporosis cure, there are treatments available that can slow or stop bone loss. These treatments are especially effective when employed during the early stages of the disease. Commonly prescribed medications include bisphosphonates, raloxifene, hormone replacements, and calcitonin. As with other medications, patients and their physicians must weigh the benefits against the side effects of these drugs to determine if pharmacological treatment is the best option.

Alternatively, there are complementary therapies that have been effective in the treatment of osteoporosis, especially when begun before the disease has become too far advanced. Lifestyle changes made to a person’s exercise and eating habits can slow the diseases’ progression and minimize the risk of bone fractures. Regular exercise has proven to cause bones to retain, and in some cases even build, density. Additionally, changes to diet that ensure adequate levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein can help slow depletion of bone calcium reserves.

Massage therapy works with other osteoporosis treatments to enhance their effectiveness and slow the disease’s progression. Regular massage sessions relax muscles, making it easier for sufferers to lead an active life style. They also help minimize the symptoms of osteoporosis by alleviating neck and back pain, improving posture, and improving circulation.

Anyone who suspects or knows that they suffer from osteoporosis should discuss this fact with their massage therapist. Although massage therapy is safe for those who have osteoporosis, the massage therapist will be able to adjust their technique to the patient’s special needs, ensuring the greatest benefits.

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