Alternative Therapies for Osteoporosis
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.