Ten million adults have osteoporosis, and another 44 million have low bone density. Half of all women will break a bone at some point due to osteoporosis. What’s most alarming is that you don’t feel your bones getting thin, so your mom can be losing bone density and never know it.
She might start developing a bit of a hunch. After sitting, she might experience pain between the shoulder blades or above the pelvis. But, this doesn’t always happen. That’s why bone density screenings are recommended in women 65 or older.
After a bone density screening, her doctor recommended that she work with physical therapy. Why is this important? What can a physical therapist do for osteoporosis?
What Can a Physical Therapy Do?
When your mom works through physical therapy, she’ll meet that therapist and discuss her health. Her therapist will come up with a plan that helps slow or stop bone loss, improve her posture, and improve her balance.
She’s going to learn how to adapt to a changing environment and protect herself from a fall. She’s also going to work on toning muscles to maintain mobility and stamina. She’ll be working on a mix of resistance and weight-bearing exercises.
Resistance exercises are activities that use gravity to help create resistance that builds muscle strength. Examples of resistance exercises include:
- Lunges
- Push-ups
- Resistance band workouts
- Squats
- Yoga
Weight-bearing exercises have you on your feet and putting some stress on the bones and muscles. That helps with bone growth and strength. Weight-bearing exercises include:
- Aerobics
- Dance
- Jogging
- Walking
- Zumba
Couldn’t your mom just do these exercises on her own? The reason she needs physical therapy is because her bones are weak. Not every activity will be suitable. She needs to work with medical professionals to determine how hard she can push herself.
As your mom improves her bone strength, balance, and stamina, additional exercises will be added to her routine. The objective is to work slowly, steadily, and thoroughly. She’ll see improvement faster than she might expect when she takes her time and does exactly what her physical therapist recommends.
How Often Will She See Her Physical Therapist?
Expect your mom to work with her physical therapist approximately three times a week. She may need you to drive her. If you can’t make sure someone can. Talk to her doctor to get an idea of how much bone loss
Talk to your mom’s doctor about these and other benefits of physical therapy. When your mom’s bones are getting weak, fall prevention is essential. Physical therapists help your mom build muscle and joint strength and improve balance. It’s incredibly important for her to stay on her feet, so arrange physical therapy services ASAP.
If you or someone you know needs Physical Therapy in Mankato, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.