@wondering1 I'm on the verge of buying one. However, I believe it is appropriate to keep my expectations low. I'm 80, and my lower scores are in my femoral neck and not my spine. I understand that I will also need weight training and aerobic exercise. I'd love to attempt Liftmor but there are no trained trainers near me. I love to hear others experiences.
@htmyd3nl0s , I think you are right to keep expectations low. From what I’ve read, the benefits are primarily in the spine and even then I don’t think it’s very dramatic.
As for the exercise, I was lucky to find a local physical therapist with a specialty in geriatrics who decided to start doing this class. I wonder if it would be possible to find someone like that to start a small group class through a senior center or community center of some kind? Our class has women in their 60s-80s and we are definitely all getting stronger. You can see it through the weights everyone uses. We work on balance too.
I think you are giving very good advice. I've also seen mixed reviews. I've been strength training on my own at the gym but am looking for a specific bone class or group as well. There are AOA classes at our Y but some of the exercises are definitely not for osteoporosis patients.
@htmyd3nl0s , I think you are right to keep expectations low. From what I’ve read, the benefits are primarily in the spine and even then I don’t think it’s very dramatic.
As for the exercise, I was lucky to find a local physical therapist with a specialty in geriatrics who decided to start doing this class. I wonder if it would be possible to find someone like that to start a small group class through a senior center or community center of some kind? Our class has women in their 60s-80s and we are definitely all getting stronger. You can see it through the weights everyone uses. We work on balance too.
@elisny , I have been using the Osteoboost belt since May (except for one month when it had problems and I had to ship it back for repair). It’s easy to use and integrate into your daily routine.
I just had a DXA. The changes in my score over the last year changes were small enough that they are statistically insignificant. (All within the “Least Significant Change). But given that, my spine and hip got slightly worse and my femoral neck and forearm got slightly better.
It’s impossible to know what to attribute to the Osteoboost belt because I’m doing so many other things. Lots of exercise including a 2x per week Osteoporosis Weight Class based on the LIFTMOR study, supplementing with Calcium,Vit D, Magnesium and K2, and HRT.
I started using the belt because my endocrinologist suggested it as something that might help. I was willing to add anything that might help (and that wouldn’t hurt… because the device is FDA Cleared, it has been demonstrated to be safe).
Since getting it, my sense is that it may help a little but is most meaningful in situations where the user can’t do a lot of other types of exercise. Here’s a video on it from Dr Doug Lucas. He started out as a sceptic and then changed his opinion somewhat. But note that he now has an arrangement with the company to get affiliate revenue.
@wondering1. I asked my endocrinologist for a prescription for the device and he said no. Now I have to decide if I should go through other means to get one. I’m willing to do anything to improve my scores as medication doesn’t really seem to be working.
@wondering1. I asked my endocrinologist for a prescription for the device and he said no. Now I have to decide if I should go through other means to get one. I’m willing to do anything to improve my scores as medication doesn’t really seem to be working.
@wondering1. I asked my endocrinologist for a prescription for the device and he said no. Now I have to decide if I should go through other means to get one. I’m willing to do anything to improve my scores as medication doesn’t really seem to be working.
You can build a similar device like I did. I cannot attest to whether it is making any difference, but I use it 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time.
You need a peanut shaped vibrating massager, and some kind of belt (e.g. back stablizer, compression, ice-pack holder) to which you would affix the vibrating massager. I used some diaper pins and elastic to affix it to a neoprene belt I had for hot/cold packs. I suppose you could just create something with fabric.
I have owned an Osteoboost for several months, and have had problems with the app from the get go. Customer support has been well meaning but often delayed, and there seems to be a lack of consensus on how to get the device to work alongside the app — even from their own tech department! And now the device itself seems to be on the fritz, initiating a new session even when a 30-minute session had been completed for the day!
So even if the Osteoboost device “works,” it may be worthwhile to put off a purchase till they get all the kinks out. IMHO. 😵💫
I have owned an Osteoboost for several months, and have had problems with the app from the get go. Customer support has been well meaning but often delayed, and there seems to be a lack of consensus on how to get the device to work alongside the app — even from their own tech department! And now the device itself seems to be on the fritz, initiating a new session even when a 30-minute session had been completed for the day!
So even if the Osteoboost device “works,” it may be worthwhile to put off a purchase till they get all the kinks out. IMHO. 😵💫
@thisnthat , I gave up using the app after the first couple of weeks. Not worth the hassle.
My belt has worked most of the time since I started using it in May. But I did miss out on about 4 or 5 weeks when it went in the fritz (opposite of your experience, it wouldn’t go at all because it decided I’d already completed my 30 mins as soon as I turned it on). I had to send it back to be fixed which took a really long time.
So you are right, it’s not perfect! And again, I decided the app was so unreliable that it wasn’t worth using.
@thisnthat , I gave up using the app after the first couple of weeks. Not worth the hassle.
My belt has worked most of the time since I started using it in May. But I did miss out on about 4 or 5 weeks when it went in the fritz (opposite of your experience, it wouldn’t go at all because it decided I’d already completed my 30 mins as soon as I turned it on). I had to send it back to be fixed which took a really long time.
So you are right, it’s not perfect! And again, I decided the app was so unreliable that it wasn’t worth using.
@wondering1
Hmmm, interesting! These technical issues seem to be rife with some of the vibration platforms. I also own a Marodyne, and that had to be replaced twice in the first few months! But the Osteoboost app is beyond frustrating. Agreed: Not worth the hassle.
Guess if I have to do without the Osteoboost device for a few weeks, there’s always the Marodyne to fall back on…..
Side note: Curious that the Osteoboost webinars seem to be pushing meds rather than more natural methods of building bone density. One would think many of the clients (though not all) are looking for drug-free alternatives to improving their DEXA scores. Is the Company trying to further legitimize itself by riding on the coattails of Big Pharma and allopathic medicine? If the device is as effective as claimed, no need for that. But to be fair, maybe future webinars will feature more natural approaches. 🤞
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@htmyd3nl0s , I think you are right to keep expectations low. From what I’ve read, the benefits are primarily in the spine and even then I don’t think it’s very dramatic.
As for the exercise, I was lucky to find a local physical therapist with a specialty in geriatrics who decided to start doing this class. I wonder if it would be possible to find someone like that to start a small group class through a senior center or community center of some kind? Our class has women in their 60s-80s and we are definitely all getting stronger. You can see it through the weights everyone uses. We work on balance too.
Good luck!!
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2 ReactionsI think you are giving very good advice. I've also seen mixed reviews. I've been strength training on my own at the gym but am looking for a specific bone class or group as well. There are AOA classes at our Y but some of the exercises are definitely not for osteoporosis patients.
@wondering1
I would like to find such a class online. If anyone knows of one, please post a link. Thank you.
@wondering1. I asked my endocrinologist for a prescription for the device and he said no. Now I have to decide if I should go through other means to get one. I’m willing to do anything to improve my scores as medication doesn’t really seem to be working.
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1 Reaction@maymore, good luck! We are all so motivated to improve our bone health.
@maymore
You can build a similar device like I did. I cannot attest to whether it is making any difference, but I use it 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time.
You need a peanut shaped vibrating massager, and some kind of belt (e.g. back stablizer, compression, ice-pack holder) to which you would affix the vibrating massager. I used some diaper pins and elastic to affix it to a neoprene belt I had for hot/cold packs. I suppose you could just create something with fabric.
Here the massager I bought, though it is currently out-of-stock.
https://natracure.com/products/peanut-vibrating-massage-roller
Good luck!
I have owned an Osteoboost for several months, and have had problems with the app from the get go. Customer support has been well meaning but often delayed, and there seems to be a lack of consensus on how to get the device to work alongside the app — even from their own tech department! And now the device itself seems to be on the fritz, initiating a new session even when a 30-minute session had been completed for the day!
So even if the Osteoboost device “works,” it may be worthwhile to put off a purchase till they get all the kinks out. IMHO. 😵💫
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4 Reactions@thisnthat , I gave up using the app after the first couple of weeks. Not worth the hassle.
My belt has worked most of the time since I started using it in May. But I did miss out on about 4 or 5 weeks when it went in the fritz (opposite of your experience, it wouldn’t go at all because it decided I’d already completed my 30 mins as soon as I turned it on). I had to send it back to be fixed which took a really long time.
So you are right, it’s not perfect! And again, I decided the app was so unreliable that it wasn’t worth using.
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6 ReactionsHave t tried yet but information is helpful
https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/exercise-for-bones/
@wondering1
Hmmm, interesting! These technical issues seem to be rife with some of the vibration platforms. I also own a Marodyne, and that had to be replaced twice in the first few months! But the Osteoboost app is beyond frustrating. Agreed: Not worth the hassle.
Guess if I have to do without the Osteoboost device for a few weeks, there’s always the Marodyne to fall back on…..
Side note: Curious that the Osteoboost webinars seem to be pushing meds rather than more natural methods of building bone density. One would think many of the clients (though not all) are looking for drug-free alternatives to improving their DEXA scores. Is the Company trying to further legitimize itself by riding on the coattails of Big Pharma and allopathic medicine? If the device is as effective as claimed, no need for that. But to be fair, maybe future webinars will feature more natural approaches. 🤞
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2 Reactions