How do you halt the progress of osteoporosis?

Thanks for reminding us that the risk numbers can seem like theoretical ephemera but represent people who were or are hurting and get my attention as a cautionary tale. And if and when I might have to take osteoporosis meds, I'll be rereading all of them to help figure out the next step.

People are posting here with a wide spectrum of DEXA scans, but I just want to add one comment for more severe cases versus those just over the -2.5 line: osteoporosis is on a spectrum, not a point!

Fall prevention, avoiding bending and twisting, careful exercise can all help avoid fractures. Balance is especially important regarding hip fractures. However, at certain levels of severity, one unfortunate movement can fracture vertebrae. I made a movement similar to pulling a bathing suit on from a sitting position, and fractured three vertebrae.

If a pain free and symptom free life is a goal I would suggest that a year of side effects from meds might be preferable to endless years of pain and disability from fractures. Granted, many of us are actually unable to take meds. Truly unable. At least for certain meds.

The 62% risk of non-life-threatening fractures may sound reasonable, but looking back, I wish I had heeded. I thought I tried every med and that I was unable, but once fractured, I am more than willing to go through side effects for two hours after Tymlos. Some days there aren't any, too.

I did tai chi, I felt great, it was so hard to relate to the risk. I post on here in case my experience can help someone else avoid the "non life-threatening" fractures because they are "life-altering"!

Hi helenrose~
Funny...I did the same thing..took me a couple of days to look it over before I found the right spot for it. It's really easy to set up..follow the instructions on the large sheet that came with it. Put in your batteries for the remote...I would suggest you have something to hold onto for balance or stay seated..My machine came already set for P1...guess they all are like that... It has its own 15 clock set in...I start out in the walking position for the first 5 minutes..then switch feet to the jogging position for another five and then the running one for 3 minutes and then back to the walking position for the remaining 2 minutes to cool down. I think you'll love how you feel afterwards....Please let us all know! The company sends me emails everyday with informative info. Good luck! enjoy!

I have to admit I am very skeptical about this device. Can you direct me to any objective, science-based proof that this has any bone density strengthening properties (other than the literature that the manufacturers of the device proposes)?

There is a sad lack of scientific research to back up the sales claims for most exercise equipment. Probably because a new "miracle" machine, cure, pill, etc is being introduced just about every day, so no studies could possibly keep up. There is a place I like to look to answer these questions, though - The National Institutes for Health has a really cool arm that compiles sometimes obscure scientific studies from all over the world. My favorites are those that a researcher, doctor or team does, where they seek out a whole bunch of small studies on a particular topic. They report a synopsis of each study and its conclusion, then try to reach a conclusion by compiling, comparing, contrasting the various results.

Here is such a study on whole body vibration devises: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4440196/ I read the whole thing, came to the conclusion that the answer is still "we don't really know."

Here is the researchers' conclusion:
"Whole-body vibration exercise therapy is only one of the types of physical activity recommended for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and cannot be used as substitute therapy for pharmacological and dietary treatment methods. But it may complement already known and described postmenopausal treatment methods and bring tangible results in therapy."

What is known? Whole body vibration seems to be safe. The appropriate vibration frequency and intensity to potentially increase bone mineralization density (BMD) is unknown. There appear to be better results when combined with biophosphonate therapy and diet, and done long term.

Here's the good news: Vibratory therapy reduced chronic back pain in each study reviewed.

Once again, as health care consumers, we learn that there is no "magic bullet" or cure, but that with combined strategies and daily effort we can get better.

Are you interested in doing more research? Maybe you could try this in your search engine and see if you find some more information for us? "clinical study whole body vibration osteoporosis"

Sue

There is a sad lack of scientific research to back up the sales claims for most exercise equipment. Probably because a new "miracle" machine, cure, pill, etc is being introduced just about every day, so no studies could possibly keep up. There is a place I like to look to answer these questions, though - The National Institutes for Health has a really cool arm that compiles sometimes obscure scientific studies from all over the world. My favorites are those that a researcher, doctor or team does, where they seek out a whole bunch of small studies on a particular topic. They report a synopsis of each study and its conclusion, then try to reach a conclusion by compiling, comparing, contrasting the various results.

Here is such a study on whole body vibration devises: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4440196/ I read the whole thing, came to the conclusion that the answer is still "we don't really know."

Here is the researchers' conclusion:
"Whole-body vibration exercise therapy is only one of the types of physical activity recommended for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and cannot be used as substitute therapy for pharmacological and dietary treatment methods. But it may complement already known and described postmenopausal treatment methods and bring tangible results in therapy."

What is known? Whole body vibration seems to be safe. The appropriate vibration frequency and intensity to potentially increase bone mineralization density (BMD) is unknown. There appear to be better results when combined with biophosphonate therapy and diet, and done long term.

Here's the good news: Vibratory therapy reduced chronic back pain in each study reviewed.

Once again, as health care consumers, we learn that there is no "magic bullet" or cure, but that with combined strategies and daily effort we can get better.

Are you interested in doing more research? Maybe you could try this in your search engine and see if you find some more information for us? "clinical study whole body vibration osteoporosis"

Sue

I have to admit I am very skeptical about this device. Can you direct me to any objective, science-based proof that this has any bone density strengthening properties (other than the literature that the manufacturers of the device proposes)?

I think vibration may, I stress may, be helpful in stimulating bone growth but the more studies I read about it, the more I share the caution of @windyshores and others about potential risk. And I think there's more than a whiff of snake oil salesmanship out there. When the claims might be overblown, the burden of due diligence is greater. But here's the other point, there a big difference between "might or might not help" and "might or might not help and actually could possibly damage." So I hope people consider the downside risks as something greater than disappointment that there was no benefit.

Morning and thank you for your interest and inquiry regarding vibration therapy. As we all know..there are no magic bullets for anything in life..we can only do our best to, with due diligence find answers that best apply to our own individual needs and requirements..along with our basic physicality, age and severity of our problems. There have been some very interesting studies done that have previously been highlighted in other threads you might want to go back and read up on. I thought that the NASA studies on BMD was most interesting as well as informative. We all have to come to our decisions that are ever so personal to our own needs..as with anything else that we do in our lives for peace of mind as well as trying not to do more harm to our bodies at the same time. I'll admit that's not always easy or accomplished. With this in mind...while keeping an open mind to new research and development. There are no guarantees in life..we all know that..or should...
For me, instead of taking a pharmaceutical for my weak bones and body structure..I felt it was most important to maintain my peace of mind as well as doing my best to treat my entire body in a more holistic fashion at this point in my life..being 77. Playing catch-up at this point in life is not an easy goal..but one that I'm embracing with a full heart as well as gleaning more knowledge about how I can best treat my body. I may not regain as much bone density as one could at a younger age..full well knowing that all of these different modalities take a long time to get results. I choose to do what I can do for my entire body..whilst also maintaining my core principles of 'do no harm'. We all come from different life experiences and knowledge. Knowing that none of us will make it out alive..at some point..to me at least, peace of mind when making my choices are of utmost importance. I am very glad that I bought the Lifepro "waver' vibration machine, as I just 'feel' ever so much better after I've done 15 minutes on it, a couple times a day. I haven't gone past phase 1 yet ..which is the basic phase. I had to do something other than the medications for osteo that I wouldn't do, which left my choices a bit limited..while also placing the responsibility firmly on my shoulders. I can live with this. I'm doing what feels good for me to do. Since we didn't get osteo overnight..I know it will take however long it takes to change my ship around, but am willing to do what I can at this point. Walking as far as I would need to each day didn't work out for me..as I have other bone issues to add to my mix..osteoarthritis in both knees..bone on bone, as well as a compression fracture of my T-8. Pain pills also are not on my list of standbys. I can only speak for myself here....as well as how I've been feeling over all since I started to 'shake' a bit on the vibration plate. My mid back pains are better...my knees aren't complaining from too much walking and stairs..I can now get up from a sitting position without wincing in knee pain and I'm sleeping better then I have in years. Now..will I glean bone density? I don't know ..but I am feeling so much better that that doesn't enter into my thought process at this time. I've tried many things in the past...weight vest...free weight workouts...but these only seems to hurt me in the long run. Perhaps if I didn't have a compression fracture the weighted vest would be a good idea..but not for me now. The vibration plate came with resistance ropes that attach to the machine which I haven't attached yet because I have a kitten who wants to get into everything I'm doing and I didn't want her to bite the straps..but I intend on using them in the future..always a good idea to work the entire body.
I can feel the anguish and concerns so many have about what to do now that we have the grim news of weaker bones and the possibilities of falls and fractures . So my fellow travelers...my best advice is to keep on doing what we can and enjoy the life we have...Stressing over my many bodily weaknesses does not make for a happier me. I've made big commitments to myself for a better outcome in my life that feels good for me to do. There are no blueprints for us to follow..and even then..would we? So..good luck to us all and I hope you all find what works for your particular mind, body and spirit.