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Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis

Question:

I’m a 65-year-old woman suffering from osteoporosis. Last year I had a spinal fracture in several of my vertebrae and this it not only causing pain, but also causing me to hunch over. How can a physical therapist help?

Answer: By Elizabeth Reicherter, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CHES

A physical therapist is your mobility expert and in many cases can offer treatments that may decrease your reliance on pain medication. Physical therapists help reduce the pain from osteoporosis fractures and minimize some of the effects of “hunched posture” through education about posture and exercise to improve back and shoulder flexibility, strengthen your ‘core’ muscles, and impact bone strength. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and low-impact aerobics can also improve breathing or heart problems that can occur from hunched posture. In most states, you can make an appointment with a physical therapist directly, without a physician referral.

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Learn more about Bone Health issues

Physical therapists are experts in improving and restoring mobility and play an important role in ensuring optimal bone health. Healthy bones can help you stay strong and active throughout your life. If good bone health is achieved during childhood and maintained, it can help to avoid bone loss and fracture later in life. For healthy [...]

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Biographical Information

Physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member E. Anne Reicherter, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, CHES, joined the faculty at the University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Medicine in January 2009. She primarily teaches orthopedic physical therapy, psychosocial issues in healthcare, and physical therapy educational topics. Previously, she was a faculty member for 10 years at Howard University in Washington. Dr Reicherter received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in1985. While working as a physical therapist, she received a Master of Education in Health Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 1995. In 2005, she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 2008 received a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from Howard University. Dr Reicherter is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a certified health education specialist. As a researcher whose interests include health literacy, she has published many peer-reviewed articles on health disparities and the education of physical therapy students. Dr Reicherter has been an APTA member since 1985 and is a member of the Association’s orthopedic and education sections.