Osteoporosis is a problem worldwide effecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged 50 and above. Today is National Osteoporosis Day highlighting the condition “to love your bones, protect your future”
What is Osteoporosis?
A condition where the bones become brittle and become at greater risk of fractures. Fractures potentially causing life threatening problems. Hip fractures can be one of the most life threatening, with approximately 20 – 25% who suffer hip fractures die within the year!
Can you do something about Osteoporosis?
There are some great things you can do to keep your bones healthy
- Exercise, weight bearing, muscle strengthening and balance
- Eat a good diet in calcium, Vitamin D and protein.
- Healthy body weight, if you are too thin and a BMI under 19 and at a higher risk of Osteoporosis.
- Avoid smoking and excessive drinking
- Hereditary
- Medication might be needed if you have osteoporosis, get tested.
One of the main things is to MOVE MORE, inactivity results in increased loss of bone mass.
Is Pilates good for Osteoporosis?
Pilates as we know is great for strengthening muscles, improving balance two of the main things we need to focus on to help with strengthening and maintaining our bones.
There are various ways to do Pilates either on equipment or the mat!
Traditional Matwork classes.
There are various matwork exercises that involve a lot of forward flexion, lifting the head and rolling, these are not good for for the spine as they can cause spinal fractures.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do Pilates as most exercises can be modified, so that you get the benefits still but are safe!
A good Pilates teacher who specialises in Osteoporosis will have no problem in you joining a class.
Benefits
If you are not sure of the benefits of Pilates then please do read this blog “Why you should do Pilates”
If you have Osteoporosis then Pilates main benefits for you are muscle strengthening and balance.
There are also some great exercises on the side and front which are great for protecting the spine.
Loving your bones and protecting your future
you can start
NOW
Moving More and Sitting less
Come and join our Facebook Group – All Things Pilates,
for Pilates support and to ask questions
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