- Physiotherapy exercises for osteoporosis
- 1. Stretching exercises
- 2. Muscle strengthening exercises
- Other exercises for osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, physiotherapy is indicated to prevent complications, such as deformities and bone fractures, and also to strengthen muscles, bones and joints, thus improving the patient's quality of life.
It also has cardiac and respiratory benefits, in addition to improving the person's balance, which also helps to prevent falls. Physiotherapy sessions can be performed 2 to 4 times a week, at the clinic or at home.
In addition, people who suffer from osteoporosis should also eat a diet rich in calcium and correctly take the drugs prescribed by the doctor. See how to make a diet rich in calcium and suitable for osteoporosis.
Physiotherapy exercises for osteoporosis
The goals of physical therapy exercises can be to prevent deformities, such as the hunchback position, improve muscle tone and maintain a good range of joints.
Exercises should always be individualized and guided by a physical therapist, to adapt them according to the symptoms presented by the patient.
1. Stretching exercises
A great exercise that helps to stretch is to lie on your back on the floor and place them close to your chest with the support of your hands, as shown in the image. You should remain in this position for about 1 minute and rest for about 10 seconds before performing the next exercise.
Another very effective stretching exercise is to get on your knees and lie on them, as shown in the image, and stretch your arms as far as possible, but so as not to feel pain. You can also stay in this position for about 1 minute.
Finally, the neck muscles can be stretched and, for that, the person must sit on the floor, with the back straight. With the help of the hands, and as you can see in the image, the person must lean their neck forward, to the right and to the left, waiting a few seconds in each of these positions.
2. Muscle strengthening exercises
A good exercise to strengthen your leg muscles is to sit in a chair with your right back and lift your right leg, as shown in the image, doing 12 repetitions. Then the same exercise should be performed with the left leg. It is advisable to do 3 sets on each leg.
Then, the person can stand up, support himself in the chair with his hands and bend his knee, lifting his leg back, also performing 3 sets of 12 repetitions with each leg.
For the arms, exercises can be done with the help of weights, as shown in the image, performing 3 sets of 12 repetitions on each arm. The weight used in the exercise must be adapted to each person.
Other exercises for osteoporosis
Hydrokinesiotherapy exercises are also useful for strengthening the muscles and joints of patients with osteoporosis, and are particularly suitable for those who are in pain and have difficulty relaxing and moving out of the water. The warm water in the pool helps to relax the muscles, facilitating muscle contraction and joint movement.
Other exercises such as walking, dancing, water aerobics, pilates or yoga are also recommended in the treatment of osteoporosis because they help to delay the loss of bone mass and improve balance and strength. However, these exercises should only be performed under the supervision of the physical therapist. See other exercises for osteoporosis.
