Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years due to the loss of calcium and other minerals from a person’s bones, which makes the bones susceptible to fracturing (breaking). Women are more likely to have osteoporosis because the hormonal changes of menopause can increase bone loss.
What are the treatments for osteoporosis?
Your Doctor should discuss medications that can help with osteoporosis. A healthy lifestyle is extremely beneficial also. A nutritious diet including calcium-rich foods and regular exercise throughout a person’s life will reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later years. People with existing osteoporosis can also benefit from exercise as exercising regularly can reduce the rate of bone loss.
Is exercise safe as I have osteoporosis?
Yes, most low impact exercise is safe even if you have osteoporosis. You may be worried that being active might make you more likely to fall and break a bone but the opposite is true. A regular, properly designed exercise program will actually help prevent falls and fractures. The benefits of exercise are maintaining bone mass, improving strength and flexibility, and improving balance which in turn reduces the risk of falls and therefore risk of fractures.
Is pilates a good form of exercise for osteoporosis?
Pilates is a brilliant form of exercise for anyone with osteoporosis. Pilates focuses on alignment and strengthening the core, spine, and legs, which are essential to any individual with osteoporosis or its precursor, osteopenia. The major benefits of pilates for osteoporosis are outlined below:
- It’s a low impact type of exercise therefore it’s gentle on your joints
- Pilates classes specific for older adults or people with osteoporosis will incorporate more weight bearing (standing) exercises and exercises moving into extension which are extremely beneficial to anyone with osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises encourage stronger bones, slowing the rate of bone loss.
- Pilates strengthens our muscles using body weight or resistance band exercises which along with the weight bearing exercises helps increase bone mass density, slowing the progression of osteoporosis.
- Pilates has a large focus on balance, stability and control which will help reduce your chances of a fall and therefore reduce the risk of fractures.
- Pilates works on coordination and therefore can increase your reaction time which in turn will make you more aware of falls risks.
- Pilates promotes general health and fitness, keeping you more active which can reduce the need for some medications that can contribute to the risk of falls, and better management of any other health problems.
- It will Improve your posture
- The gentle movement and stretching exercises in pilates can help reduce any joint pain you may have.
Can I join any pilates class?
It’s a good idea to ask the instructor in the class if they have experience with treating people with osteoporosis as there are some ( only a small number) of pilates exercises that should be avoided for people with osteoporosis.
Here at Physiofit all our pilates classes or 1:1 pilates are taught by physiotherapists who have a wealth of knowledge of treating people with osteoporosis and we run an older adults pilates class which is specifically designed for people with osteoporosis making it safe, enjoyable and extremely beneficial for anyone with osteoporosis. If you have any questions regarding our pilates please contact us on 01223 914140 or e-mail us on enquiries@vineryroadstudios.co.uk