Osteoporosis

Pilates is a very effective way to help prevent and treat Osteoporosis.  This condition currently affects over 1 million Australians, mainly women, but men can have Osteoporosis as well.  Often know as a silent disease because it doesn't have any symptoms until a fracture, and these fractures can be incredibly painful and debilitating. 

Most of our body is constantly renewing itself, with our skeleton if you have Osteoporosis the structure of the bones are not replacing itself sufficiently, as it is being broken down. This causes the bones to be less dense and more prone to fracture, particularly the hips, wrist and the spine. The spine can have compression fractures, where the main body of the vertebrae get crushed, losing height causing the 'dowagers hump' or very rounded spine.  

Risk factors for Osteoporosis are

• Family history of Osteoporosis

• Cigarette smoking

• Excessive alcohol - more than 2 standard drinks per day

• Excessive caffeine intake - more than 3 cups per day

• Long term use of Corticosteroids, to treat rheumatoid arthritis and asthma

• Certain Cancer Treatments

• Conditions that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients such as Coeliac or Crohn's Disease

• Early menopause before the age of 45

• Lack of physical activity

• Low intake of calcium and vitamin D

• Lean and thin body build

Prevention of Osteoporosis can be with

• Eating calcium rich foods

• Absorbing vitamin D

• Avoiding smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine

• Regular weight bearing and strength training exercises.

Where Pilates helps, particular in the studio with the full range of equipment, there is strength training using springs, weights, or Therabands as the resistance. This resistance improves the strength of the muscles, which loads the bones improving their density. Pilates also has a strong focus on improving core strength and improving balance. Falls prevention is particularly vital if you are at risk of Osteoporosis.