Arthritis & Osteoporosis Program
Arthritis, in a general sense, is defined as inflammation within a joint. More specifically, it is an inflammatory process that can result from acute traumatic injury or degenerative processes that commonly occur as we age. With both causes, the joint has had a breakdown of its "cushion" support system and wear and tear may be occurring along the sensitive structures of the bones where they come together to form the joint. This can cause pain and or stiffness in a number of areas. Arthritis is most commonly found in the neck, back, shoulders, hips and knees because of their weight bearing function and susceptibility to repetitive overuse over time.
Osteoporosis, on the other hand, is not exclusive to only where bones meet as joints. Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bone structure as a whole, which can increase your risk of fracture and can lead to irreversible structural breakdown if not properly managed. Your bone tissue is constantly absorbing and replacing itself. With osteoporosis, the new bone that is created is not keeping up with the old bone that is removed which leads to weakness in the bone. Osteopenia is the precursor to osteoporosis. Osteopenia is when the bone mineral density is lower than normal, but not yet at the osteoporotic level.
The good news is that physical therapy has been shown to help manage arthritis symptoms and help stimulate stronger bones with proper exercise prescription and activity modifications. In some cases of arthritis, such as knee, your doctor may recommend losing weight. This can be difficult when the pain from arthritis is already limiting your physical activity. At Whole Body Health Physical Therapy, we have an Arthritis & Osteoporosis Program that is tailored to you, promoting long-term mobility and strength gains that will help you continue doing what matters most to you.