Key exercises to fight osteoporosis

Woodbridge, Conn. (WTNH) - Fluid moves are tailor made for keeping bones healthy at Healthcore Studio in Woodbridge.

Physical Therapist Wendy Farnen Price is at the head of the class.

She says is seeing an alarming trend among her patients; "I'm seeing younger and younger women being diagnosed with osteoporosis."

Osteoporosis is a disease when bones are weakened and can easily break. The wrist, hips and spine area are especially vulnerable.

Women like Molly, who is taking the class, are more at risk for developing it. Her risk factors: taking thyroid medication and undergoing chemotherapy.

Molly says, "The thing that I was most concerned about was not doing exercises that would harm me, so I found out that certain things like crunches, that I had been doing in the past, I shouldn't being doing anymore and other things like bending my toes."

Molly no longer does traditional crunches to increase bone strength.

Wendy explains that, "You want to avoid a traditional abdominal crunch where you left your head up because it puts a tremendous stress on the spine."

She goes onto add that a safer abdominal move is, "Keeping your arms on the side and lifting the legs up, keeping the spine in neutral position and just moving the legs."    

Another safe and effective choice, press ups for trunk extension.  

Wendy says, "This movement helps to build bone mass in the spine and helps strengthen the back extensor muscles."  

Exercises aimed at staying balanced also has benefits.

Wendy points out, "It can help you prevent falls, which can help prevent fractures."
 
Gloria Kurek does not have Osteoperosis but she does have chronic back issues. Her bone density tests show positive numbers.

She says, "They show that my bones are okay, that so far so good."

That's why she is determined to stay strong, "I think you need to keep your physical fitness up and understand that the older you get you have to be more consistent."

Meantime, women like Molly are determined to stay at a minimum where they are and not have further bone loss.