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If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, it can be helpful to work with a physical therapist to develop an individual program of exercise and make sure you’re exercising safely. The expert physical therapists at Northwest Hospital’s Northwest Physical Therapy Services have experience working with individuals diagnosed with or at risk for osteoporosis, and offer a dedicated Osteoporosis Program.

Osteoporosis is a thinning of bone mass. Osteoporosis and osteopenia, or low bone density, affect 55 percent of people over age 50 in the U.S. Eighty percent of them are women. The disease can significantly increase the risk of fractures, especially hip, wrist and compression fractures of the spine. Fifty-five percent of women over the age of 50 in this country will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.

Exercise helps build bone mass, which can reduce the risk of fractures. However, exercises to prevent or treat osteoporosis must be appropriate for each person and his or her degree of bone loss and health condition.

As part of the Osteoporosis Program, our physical therapists will evaluate

• your posture
• your overall musculoskeletal system
• body mechanics (the way you move your body)
• your balance

If you are involved in a gym program or community exercise program such as yoga or Thai Chi, we will give you guidance to help you avoid potential injury or risk of fracture. If you have difficulty with balance, you will be given exercises and suggestions for safe practices to reduce your risk of falling.

If you or a family member would like to participate in this program, please contact your physician for a referral to the Northwest Hospital Osteoporosis Program. The program is located in Suite 110 of the Northwest Outpatient Medical Center, 10330 Meridian Ave., N. For more information, please call (206) 368-6032.