Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones lose mass and become brittle. The symptoms can come on gradually and include:
- Poor posture
- Loss of height
- Painful back
- Easily broken bones
Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, it is possible to have symptom relief and prevent the progression of this condition. Here are some ways that a chiropractor can help.
Improve Posture
Having good posture is crucial for people who suffer from body pain, and it is especially necessary for anyone at risk for developing osteoporosis. Although poor posture may be due to lazy or weak muscles, it often occurs when the body responds to the spine’s misalignment by repositioning itself over time to relieve one area by shifting the burden of weight to another. The result is stooping of the shoulders and curving of the spine. Fractures or breaks and spinal deformities can occur when vertebrae must bear more than their share of the load. Chiropractic treatments like ultrasound, massage, or gentle manipulation can improve posture by correcting misalignment.
Reduce Pain
Osteoporosis can cause muscles to painfully contract and pinch surrounding nerves while trying to protect bones and joints. Treatments that include ultrasound and massage therapy can loosen and relax muscles to alleviate pain, preventing further harmful compensatory self-adjustments of the spine.
Enable Exercise
Exercise offers many benefits for people with osteoporosis by preventing or slowing the disease’s progression in one or more areas of the body. A chiropractor can help individuals who are at high risk of osteoporosis to improve their range of motion with gentle manipulation or massage. The goal is to enable patients to perform mild weight-bearing and stretching exercises more freely and stimulate the growth of osteoblast cells, which promote bone growth.
Provide Nutritional Counseling
Proper nutrition is essential for the body to function at an optimum level. Anyone who is at risk for developing osteoporosis, or already has it, needs to be especially careful about limiting diet choices that can deplete the bones of vital nutrients. Many chiropractors are well-versed in nutrition and diet for the treatment of bone and connective tissue problems. For example, a diet high in fruits and vegetables is always good practice. Still, chiropractors can also prescribe supplements to improve bone health and target other problem areas of the body, like the digestive system, which can indirectly cause structural problems.
An experienced chiropractor, like a chiropractor from AmeriWell Clinics, can suggest therapies and lifestyle habits that can prevent or reduce the effects of osteoporosis.
