Are you able to understand what others are feeling without them even saying it? Do you feel a strong urge to help people, whether it’s healing their souls or bodies? You may be a natural born healer.
Healing is a holistic process. Healers don’t suppress symptoms but rather work with Nature to eradicate them.
1. You’re a natural healer
If you have four or more parallel lines on the bottom of your little finger, it’s a sign that you are a natural healer. These lines represent the Throat Chakra, ruled by Hermes, the ancient god of communication and healing. This sign indicates that you are a natural born healer and you can transmit and alter energy.
People often feel comfortable opening up to you and sharing their problems with you. They do this because of the unseen web of energy you emit. You can easily connect to their energy system and heal them from within. You are also likely to be followed by animals, just like witches do.
2. You’re an empath
If you feel a strong connection to people, are sensitive to their moods and emotions, and often find yourself picking up on their feelings like a psychic paper towel (or at least that’s what it feels like to some), then you are likely an empath. This is a term that has been described both spiritually and psychologically, with some people describing it as a form of empathy or intuition while others refer to it as a heightened sensitivity of the nervous system.
Being an empath is not a disease or a bad thing; however, being an empath does come with some challenges that can create stress if not managed properly. For example, if you spend a lot of time in public places you may experience over-stimulation which can cause you to over-empathize with the people around you and take on their energy. Over time, this can lead to chronic fatigue and a struggle to discern your own feelings from the emotions of others.
In addition, many empaths have a strong sense of “knowing,” so you may be able to tell if someone is lying or has some major issues in their life. It is also common for empaths to pick up physical symptoms from their loved ones, especially if they are close to them. It is important for empaths to have quiet, alone time so that they can recharge their batteries and avoid getting overloaded.
The good news is that by understanding and managing your sensitivity, you can transform it into one of the most powerful healing tools in your toolkit. In order to do that, you will need to learn how to ground yourself and protect your energetic boundaries so that you don’t take on too much of the world’s emotional burden. Here are some tips to help you do just that!
3. You’re a great listener
If tears spring to your eyes during others’ sad stories, it’s a sign that you carry a natural empathy. Even strangers open up to you easily, sensing that they’ll be understood.
Good listening is a skill that can be learned, but it’s also a way of being. You’ll want to make eye contact, be attentive without interrupting, and show interest by reflecting back what the other person has just said. You’ll want to ask questions that will improve the flow of conversation, and you’ll probably find yourself rephrasing what you heard just to be sure that you really got it.
In a recent study, University of Haifa psychologist Guy Itzchakov and collaborators found that the best way to increase your ability to listen well is to consciously and deliberately practice the ten behaviors that define great listening. These include making eye contact, reflecting back what’s been said, asking open-ended questions, and responding to conversations by paraphrasing or summarizing. Their research supports decades of previous studies that have found that good listening is a key factor in the development of healthy and satisfying social relationships.
The need for non-invasive and non-chemical (non-drug) therapies stimulates research into the biological effects caused by electric and magnetic fields, static or alternating. These fields cause many physiological effects by influencing ions and macromolecules through the effect on electrosolitons.
It has been shown experimentally that pulsating EMF can induce cellular transcription. Experiments using ion cyclotron resonance therapy with a frequency close to the Ca2+ ICR indicate that MF can stimulate chondrogenesis in human CSCs.
Magnetic Fields
Magnetic fields can be shaped in order to detect specific molecules and to distinguish them from other particles. For example, a Penning trap has a linear magnetic field that confines ions inside the trap. To make the trap more selective, a quadrupole electric field can be added to the linear magnetic field. The quadrupole field can be shaped by electrodes with different diameters and locations, such as a ring and two end cap electrodes of a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer.
The magnetic field can also be used to excite ions in a sample of water or air, so they can be separated from the surrounding molecule by a magnetic force. When ions are excited in this way, they have a much higher concentration of energy than the neutral molecules. This makes them more recognizable by an FTICR mass spectrometer and allows the ions to be distinguished from one another.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field varies in intensity and direction across the planet. Some organisms, including bacteria, algae and animals, can sense these changes and use them to guide themselves. Birds use the Earth’s magnetic field to migrate over thousands of miles, and burrowing mole rats have a natural sense of magnetism that helps them navigate underground mazes.
A magnetic sense is also behind the success of certain unproven health practices, such as iridology, which claims to diagnose health problems by looking at the markings and patterns in a person’s iris. In fact, iridology is nothing more than a pseudoscience based on illogical connections between a person’s iris and an organ or region of the body.
In some cases, magnetic therapy promoters suggest that magnets can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and thus have an effect on a variety of conditions, from depression to fibromyalgia. But, this is a hoax, even if it may have some modest positive effects in some patients. For those with chronic fibromyalgia, the best treatment is likely to continue seeing a Medical Doctor and following their care recommendations. In addition, people can take a supplement of magnesium, a mineral that has been shown to help improve muscle strength.
Ionic Currents
The movement of ions across the membrane of neurons generates electrical currents, known as action potentials. These currents are facilitated by ionic channels and pumps that create differences in electrical charges across the cell membrane. These changes in charge, which occur when a neuron receives a stimulus, change the membrane potential and initiate an action response. Electromagnetic fields can affect the ionic currents in cells by altering their membrane potential, but how these electromagnetic field effects are achieved is not well understood.
Ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) uses magnetic and electric fields to confine a cloud of ions. A quadrupole field, for example, induces magnetron effects on ions that decrease their cyclotron frequency. This loss of cyclotron frequency, along with other problems, limits the effectiveness of Fourier transform ICR mass spectrometry.
A set of opposed plates, commonly referred to as the excitation and detection plates, are used to trap the ions. When a voltage is applied to one of the excitation plates, it excites the ions by creating an electric field that interacts with a magnetic field, causing ions to be confined by both the magnetic and electric fields. This produces three general motions on the ions, cyclotron motion, trapping motion and magnetron motion.
When an alternating signal at a specific radio-frequency (RF) frequency is applied to the excitation and detection plates, the ions will gain energy as they pass by the RF detector. This energy causes the ions to move more rapidly between the two opposed detection plates, increasing the distances of their orbits even though their cyclotron frequencies remain the same. This movement is detected as a signal between the two detection plates, amplified and Fourier-transformed into a mass spectrum.
Coherence Domains
There is a variety of biophysical theories that attempt to explain the transduction of ELF-MF into a local signal that can be perceived by an individual cell. These include Larmor precession, radical pairs, F-actin mediated Ca++ signalling, electron tunnelling within enzymes and Faraday coupling. However, these theories have failed to provide a complete explanation of how an externally applied magnetic field can be converted into a biophysical phenomenon that can be detected by a cell.
A possible explanation for this failure lies with the ion movement dynamics that occur in the molecular crevices of a macromolecule, which act as low-frequency filters to ion behavior in the presence of electromagnetic fields. These are called coherence domains (CDs) because they exhibit a strong synchronization of ion orbits with the frequency of the magnetic field. CDs have been observed in water, where they are associated with the coherence of molecular vibrations.
The interaction of ions with the CDs in their molecular crevices can be modeled using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. In contrast to other spectrometry techniques, this technique measures the mass of an ion only in a single location and at one time point. In order to obtain the maximum value of the data, it is necessary to measure the ion mass at the exact same moment for each measurement. This requires an extremely precise excitation and detection system.
In the ion cyclotron resonance experiments described above, the ion mass was measured with a precision of less than 1%. This precise measurement is required to determine the amplitude of the electromagnetic fields and to calculate the ionic currents. The amplitudes of the electromagnetic fields were also measured with high accuracy to determine their intensity and duration.
The magnetic field intensities of the ELF-MF device used in this study were well below thresholds known to elicit biological effects. Therefore, the biological effect must be attributed to some other exotic physical phenomenon rather than to the magnetic field itself. Further clinical studies are needed to determine the full range of magnetic field intensities that are therapeutically beneficial.
During whole-body vibration therapy, mechanical oscillations activate muscle groups to help keep your balance. The resulting involuntary contractions can improve strength without the strain of high-impact exercise.
Vibration also causes the temperature of soft tissues to rise, releasing tension. It also enhances lymphatic movement and boosts the generation of regenerative hormones, which support muscle and tissue repair.
Increased Muscle Strength and Flexibility
Many athletes and active individuals use vibration therapy as a recovery tool. It’s effective for enhancing circulation, relaxing muscle tension, and supporting faster healing after injury. It also helps reduce post-workout soreness and improves balance and coordination, which are essential for maintaining everyday movement.
Whole-body vibration involves standing, squatting, or lying on a plate that vibrates quickly to generate mechanical oscillations throughout the body. Settings vary, but they’re generally described by frequency, measured in hertz (cycles per second), and magnitude, usually measured in G-forces (multiples of the force of gravity). The rapid mechanical oscillations trigger reflexive muscle contractions 30-50 times a second, engaging more muscles than voluntary exercise. This heightened neuromuscular activation enhances blood flow, flushes metabolic byproducts, and reduces the protective muscle guarding that underlies chronic tightness.
Vibration also stimulates the lymphatic system to drain waste products and debris, helping boost mobility and reduce pain. Many providers recommend short sessions (20 minutes, 2-3 times a week) for cumulative improvements in flexibility and reduced discomfort. Regular use often leads to noticeably greater pliability in trouble spots like the hips, hamstrings, and lower back—practical gains for weekend golfers, parents playing with kids, or anyone managing lingering stiffness or pain without the use of medication or invasive procedures.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, some providers are integrating vibration into their services to expand the benefits they offer clients. For example, RockPoint’s Peanut Shape with dual-texture design combines vibration and massage to help release muscle tension. The spike texture provides dynamic rolling stimulation while the rock-inspired ridges and Ripple Ball offer broad pressure and precise trigger point release, making it easy to customize intensity for daily recovery or post-workout soreness.
Another option is the BioStim Pro, which offers a combination of vibration and massage to help enhance circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote joint flexibility. It’s engineered with a peanut-shaped surface with multiple textures—Ripple Ball, Spike Texture, and Rock Texture—which help provide both dynamic rolling stimulation and targeted pressure, while its four speed settings make it easy to customize intensity for daily recovery or to address specific soreness and tension.
Reduced Pain
Vibration therapy stimulates muscle cells and tissues to promote the synthesis of regenerative hormones, increases skin and muscle blood circulation, strengthens bone tissue, improves lymph drainage, and boosts basal metabolic rate. This leads to improved strength, speed, stamina, flexibility, coordination, anti-cellulitis, and enhanced collagen growth. This is why vibration treatment is popular among athletes to help them recover faster after intense exercise and to enhance their performance.
A key benefit of vibration therapy is that it relieves muscle soreness and tension. It also accelerates recovery from injury and promotes joint mobility. It is especially effective at relieving chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis. In addition, it stimulates the production of stem cells that can reduce inflammation and pain.
The mechanism by which vibration reduces pain is unclear, but one theory suggests that the stimulation of muscles and body tissues may lead to increased sensitivity to touch. Another possible explanation is that the vibration causes a heating effect on the muscles and tissues, which can alleviate soreness by increasing local blood flow and warming up the tissue.
A physical therapist can use vibration equipment to improve posture and balance, which is essential for preventing injuries. It can also be used to treat musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain or sports injuries. In some cases, vibration treatment can be combined with massage to enhance its effectiveness.
After making waves at this year’s Therapy Expo, where therapists practically queued up to try it out, vibration therapy is slowly starting to find its way into more clinics and the recovery routines of athletes and everyday people alike. While it is still a new and emerging technology, it appears to have the potential to become as commonplace as foam rollers and ice packs in delivering that subtle nudge to help our bodies feel freer, move smoother, and hurt less.
Improved Balance and Coordination
While vibration therapy isn’t a cure-all for balance and coordination issues, it does help. For patients managing symptoms of conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or osteoporosis, the gentle but persistent hum of a vibrating platform can be a welcome relief that delivers the subtle nudge that helps bodies feel freer, function smoother and hurt less.
The mechanical oscillations of vibration treatment prompt the muscles to contract and relax, which activates up to 138% more muscle fibers than traditional exercise. That translates into improved muscle tone and enhanced strength and flexibility. Vibration treatment also improves blood circulation, enhancing oxygen and nutrient uptake while stimulating the movement of lymph and eliminating cellular waste.
Whole-body vibration (WBVT) involves standing or sitting on a machine that vibrates, much like the equipment you’ll find in many commercial fitness and recovery settings. Localized vibration, on the other hand, employs handheld devices or pads placed directly on specific body parts, such as a tight calf or sore shoulder.
As vibration technology has become more widely available, studies have started to show promising benefits, including reduced pain and improved balance and mobility for those with musculoskeletal disorders. But as with any new treatment, it’s important to speak with a physical therapist and understand the limitations of the research. In particular, smaller sample sizes and varying protocols make it difficult to fully comprehend the cumulative impact and long-term safety of vibration training.
In general, though, it’s safe to start with a few sessions per week, allowing the body to adapt gradually. Depending on the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, you can work up to longer sessions or more frequent use as your comfort level increases. And because it’s a non-invasive, drug-free approach to recovery, patients can integrate vibration treatments into holistic wellness programs alongside cold plunges, infrared saunas and red light therapy. This enables them to build strong, healthy bodies that can move more easily and endure the rigors of daily life.
Better Sleep
Incorporating vibration therapy into your wellness routine can elevate both physical strength and mental clarity. The specialized equipment is easy to use and can be used at home or in a therapist’s office.
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a form of vibration therapy that delivers a gentle, yet effective, physical experience. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a good night’s sleep, increase muscle strength and flexibility, or manage chronic pain. WBV can also boost the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which aid in mood regulation and reducing stress.
Vibration therapy stimulates the ends of muscle spindles, tiny sensor-like receptors on muscles that let your brain know how much a specific muscle stretches or contracts. Your brain then adjusts your movement and posture to compensate for these changes. Using a vibration plate increases the rate at which muscle spindles signal to your brain, helping you feel stronger and more flexible with less effort.
In addition to improving balance and coordination, regular vibration sessions can improve the quality of your sleep. The rhythmic vibrations promote relaxation and reduce tension, which helps alleviate stress and anxiety that can contribute to sleep disturbances. Studies have shown that the combination of vibration and exercise significantly enhances sleep quality in people who suffer from sleep problems.
There are a variety of WBV devices available to suit any needs, from full-body platforms that you stand on to wearable vibration bracelets that offer targeted benefits. The best option for you depends on your goals, fitness level, and medical history. Some devices emit strong vibrations that can cause discomfort or nausea. It’s important to start with a low frequency and slowly increase your session duration and intensity as you adapt.
As a result of its multifaceted health benefits, vibration therapy has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional treatments. However, it’s important to consult a doctor before trying a vibration therapy regimen. This is especially important for individuals with cardiovascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis, or serious osteoporosis.
Whether your goal is to relax with a soothing massage, improve mobility with stretch services or enhance your skins glow with a facial, each independently owned and operated location is committed to helping you look and feel your best. Find a spa near you and book your next appointment today!
Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massage uses slow strokes and firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues. It targets painful knots and tightness that have built up over time and helps release the tense muscle fibers that restrict movement and flexibility. This therapeutic approach to pain relief has the potential to bring about long-lasting results.
While it’s true that many types of massage can be effective for chronic tension, it’s important to find a licensed massage therapist with specific training and experience in deep tissue work. A well-trained massage therapist will be able to determine the right level of pressure for each individual client. They will also have the tools to address the underlying cause of the pain and discomfort, which is crucial for lasting relief.
Unlike a Swedish massage, which targets superficial muscles, deep tissue massage works with the tendons, ligaments and fascia (the sheath that surrounds your muscles, bones and joints). Because it targets the deeper muscles, it is able to alleviate chronic pain caused by sprains, strains, carpal tunnel and other overuse injuries.
You can expect a deep tissue massage to feel more intense than a classic Swedish session. This is because your massage therapist will be using their forearms, elbows and knuckles to break up adhesions (bands of rigid tissue that limit movement and create pain) in your muscles and connective tissues. It is normal to feel some pain during your treatment, but it should always be a good kind of hurt that feels productive and not painful. If at any point during the session, it becomes too much for you to bear, let your massage therapist know and they will reduce their pressure.
In addition to relieving pain and discomfort, a deep tissue massage can help lower cortisol levels in the body. High cortisol levels can lead to an anxious, stress-ridden state that impacts your mental clarity and ability to focus. This powerful hormone-lowering effect is a huge benefit of this type of therapy, especially for those who live with persistent aches and pains.
Tight, tense muscles can compress nerves and cause debilitating pain, such as sciatica. This type of chronic pain is often caused by the piriformis muscle in the buttocks, which can be addressed and released through a deep tissue massage, providing significant relief from this disruptive condition.
Swedish
When you think of a relaxing massage, a Swedish-style is probably what comes to mind. This type of massage therapy is performed with long strokes to energize the body and improve flexibility, while soothing nerves to reduce physical and mental stress. It is also beneficial for decreasing muscle toxins and improving circulation.
Developed in the 19th century by Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish physiologist, this massage type involves using techniques like gliding strokes, friction, vibration, and tapping to manipulate the soft tissue of your body. The massage therapist uses oil or lotion to protect the skin from friction and ease movement on muscles that are tight and sore.
A Swedish massage can help with chronic pain, sports injuries, and a variety of health conditions. However, if you are recovering from surgery or have certain health issues, it is best to consult your doctor before having this treatment. It’s important to drink plenty of water before your massage so that you are hydrated and can flush the toxins released from the manipulated muscles. It is also a good idea to eat a light meal before your massage to help you relax and prepare for the experience.
Swedish-style massage is effective in decreasing lactic acid and other intramuscular toxins that build up after strenuous exercise. These toxins can cause muscle soreness, lethargy, and even inflammation. The massage’s kneading and friction strokes loosen up adhesions (knots) and help the lymphatic system flush them from the muscles.
While Swedish-style massage is a great choice for those looking to relax and de-stress, it’s not recommended for those with severe knots and adhesions in their muscles. For more intense massages that target these kinds of kinks, you should consider getting a therapeutic or deep tissue massage instead.
Therapeutic massage, which is sometimes called deep tissue or clinical massage, is more geared towards addressing specific musculoskeletal problems and injuries. The goal is to alleviate pain and speed up the healing process of injuries and sore muscles. While the techniques used in both therapies are similar, there are differences between the two in terms of pressure, treatment goals, areas of focus, and stroke style.
Hot Stone
Most people imagine that hot stones will rest down the back during a hot stone massage, but the stones will also be placed on the stomach, chest, palms and feet. The reason for this is that heat expands blood vessels, increases circulation, and releases toxins from the body. It also allows the therapist to reach deeper muscles with ease. As a result, it is very relaxing and may relieve chronic pain such as headaches, fibromyalgia or arthritis.
Your therapist will use smooth, basalt, heated, oiled stones that retain heat to deeply penetrate and knead tight, tense muscles while leaving you in a state of total relaxation. This is one of the most comforting and luxurious treatments that we offer. The feeling of this treatment will linger on long after your session is over.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy massages are a great way to reduce the stress and aches that can come with pregnancy. They can also help pregnant women to get a better night’s sleep and enhance their immune system. They can be performed in side-lying or stomach-lying positions depending on the client’s preference and range from 30 to 90 minutes. They prioritize the comfort and safety of the mother and her baby. Prenatal massage stimulates the release of endorphins and promotes relaxation and trust.
Osteoporosis cannot be reversed, but lifestyle and dietary adjustments can improve bone health. Your clinician may also prescribe medications to slow or stop bone loss.
Routine screening for osteoporosis can help prevent a fracture. Certain risk factors include low body weight, family history of fractures or osteoporosis, smoking and excessive alcohol use.
Stem cell therapy
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the loss of bone mass and increased fracture risk. It is caused by a metabolic imbalance between bone resorption and formation. Current treatment approaches focus on preventing bone loss and treating fractures. They use anti-resorption drugs that inhibit bone resorption and anabolic drugs that induce bone formation. However, these drugs are not without side effects and have limited effectiveness. Stem cell therapy is a promising alternative to these treatments, as it can stimulate the growth of new bone tissue and reduce osteoporosis symptoms.
The stem cells in our body are powerful healing cells that have the ability to become many types of cells, including bone cells. These cells are found in the fat tissue of our body and can be injected into injured areas. This treatment is minimally invasive and uses the patient’s own stem cells, so there is no risk of rejection.
In this therapy, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are harvested from the bone marrow or adipose tissue and then injected into the area that needs repair. The MSCs are injected under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement. The MSCs then transform into the needed cells to repair the injury or diseased tissue.
The MSCs will also promote vascularization and increase the thickness of the bone. This will prevent fracturing in the future and improve the strength of the bones. The therapy can also help to reduce pain in joints and other tissues. It is effective for many orthopedic injuries, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, calcifications, and cruciate ligament injuries, such as tears and ruptures. In fact, one study showed that patients with knee pain who received stem cell injections avoided replacement surgery in the first year after treatment and 87% of them remained free of knee replacement at two years.
Herbal supplements
For thousands of years, herbs and plants have been used as medicine all over the world. The Food and Drug Administration regulates herbal supplements differently than prescription drugs. They are not standardized and may contain different compounds depending on where they were grown or how the herb was processed. Many people choose herbs because they are natural and thought to be healthier and gentler than prescription drugs. However, herbs can also have side effects.
Herbal medicines are used to help prevent and treat a variety of health problems. They are also commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis. However, the evidence supporting the benefits of herbal supplements for osteoporosis is not very strong. Most studies have been conducted in animals or with very few human subjects. It is important to be cautious and use herbal supplements with the guidance of a medical professional.
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but a combination of treatments can reduce the risk of fractures. Treatment options include hormone therapy, bisphosphonates, denosumab, and calcitonin. HRT is the best choice for preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis, and bisphosphonates can be used as an alternative treatment in some patients with established osteoporosis. Taking calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and staying physically active can reduce the chance of developing osteoporosis.
The best way to prevent osteoporosis is by eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and unsaturated fats. Getting enough exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can also lower the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is often a “silent disease” until a fracture occurs. The most common symptom is a broken bone, usually in the spine (vertebral fractures), wrist, hip, or arm.
Calcium and vitamin D
Medications are usually used to treat severe osteoporosis, but milder osteoporosis is usually managed with diet and exercise. A diet rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D is essential. A number of foods are rich in these vitamins and minerals, including dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), dark leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, fish, and egg yolks.
In addition to these dietary strategies, some patients may need medication to prevent osteoporosis or to treat it. Drugs called bisphosphonates are very useful. These drugs work by preventing bone loss and increasing the strength of bones. These medications include alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), tiludronate (Skelid), and zoledronic acid (Zometa).
Research shows that vitamin D, when taken in conjunction with calcium, can help to decrease the risk of fractures. However, these studies show a reduction in hip fractures only. Hip fractures are the most serious form of osteoporosis-related injury, accounting for about half of all osteoporotic fractures and resulting in prolonged hospital stays, reduced mobility, and increased mortality.
The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to practice preventive health care, which includes regular BMD screenings. However, many women do not have the opportunity to modify modifiable risk factors. This is why it is important for people with an established diagnosis of osteoporosis to continue with treatment.
Weight-bearing exercises
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements is critical to osteoporosis prevention and management. Regular exercise also improves balance and strength, which decreases fracture risk and helps people with osteoporosis live more active lives. The goal of physical therapy is to strengthen the muscles that support the bones, creating a natural brace that distributes forces across the skeleton more evenly and protects fragile bone areas. In addition to strengthening the hips and spine, a program of dedicated balance exercises can significantly reduce fall risks.
Unlike other types of exercises, weight-bearing exercises put strain on the skeleton that stimulates bone remodeling processes. This helps to counteract the natural bone loss that occurs with age. These activities can include everything from hiking and jogging to badminton and dancing. It’s important to work with a certified physical therapist who understands the principles of osteoporosis and which exercises are safe and effective for those with compromised bone density.
In addition to improving balance and strengthening muscles, weight-bearing exercises help with posture and flexibility. This can reduce the stooped posture common in those with osteoporosis and may prevent spinal compression fractures. Exercises that involve bending or twisting the body at the waist, such as full sit-ups and certain yoga poses, should be avoided, because they can increase the risk of spine injuries.
For individuals with osteoporosis, a combination of medications and exercise is often recommended. These drugs, such as bisphosphonates, help prevent further bone loss by enhancing calcium uptake and promoting bone remodeling. They are usually prescribed after a DEXA scan reveals low bone mineral density. Alternative therapies such as selective estrogen receptor modulators, calcitonin and denosumab can also help treat osteoporosis.
Self-management
Osteoporosis is a silent disease until bone fractures occur, often in the spine, which results in kyphosis and loss of height. Fractures are costly and decrease quality of life.
Educating patients to understand the risks and identifying modifiable risk factors is important. A bone density (BMD) scan is the best screening tool, and Medicare covers the initial test for postmenopausal women over 65. BMD screenings should be repeated a year or more later to monitor progress.
Treatment for osteoporosis is aimed at improving bone strength to reduce the risk of fractures, ease symptoms such as back pain and kyphosis, reduce the number of falls that lead to injury and restore quality of life. First-line therapy is with bisphosphonates, which help prevent fractures by blocking bone resorption. These include alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate, risedronate and zoledronic acid.
Other therapies are Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators such as raloxifene (Evista), parathyroid hormone (teriparatide), RANKL/RANKL Inhibitors such as denosumab (Prolia) and calcitonin. The goal is to increase the level of calcium absorbed by the bones, and some therapies may be used in combination. Self-management is another key to managing long-term health conditions such as osteoporosis. This can involve telephone coaching services and support groups with peers who have the condition.
