Regarding the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia: Basically we must assume that if the person has osteopenia of the lumbar spine that they may very likely have osteoporosis of the thoracic spine.
- The thoracic spine is more oriented to kyphosis and anterior loading of the vertebral bodies,
- The vertebrae get smaller as we go up the vertebral column and
- The most popular fracture site of the spine is at T6-T7 and T8. We also have no way of determining whether or not the disease is progressing as we are working with our clients. There is no way we can determine how much force it would take to cause a fracture in the spine.
Sherri Betz working with client
The statistics are clear; 1 in every 2 women over age 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Then after the 1st vertebral fracture the risk of having another one within 1 year is 500%!! We need to be very vigilant about preventing the 1st fracture.
It’s not a good idea to “experiment” with clients when the research is very clear. A physical therapist is guilty of malpractice if they put a patient who has known osteoporosis in spine flexion. (Carole Lewis, PT) I am in support of “evidence-based” practice in PT and Fitness. I want to give my clients/patients SAFE exercises that WORK! Unfortunately with so many flexion exercises in our beloved Pilates method we are forced to be creative and compliant. Yes, we WILL narrow their options for movement somewhat but my clients from age 20-84 are completely happy with their exercise programs and feel very confident about their guidelines and exercises! They don’t want to have any/anymore fractures! I know very few people on the planet these days that need to increase their degree of thoracic flexion!
There is an article that explains all of the reasons for avoiding flexion, Modifying Pilates for Osteoporosis, published April 2005 in the IDEA Fitness Journal. It is downloadable on the Osteoporosis News page of the TheraPilates website.
Reprinted with permission from Sherri Betz. Originally published on her blog, TheraPilates
Sherri Betz is a physical therapist and director of TheraPilates® Physical Therapy, in Santa Cruz, CA, specializing in geriatrics and osteoporosis. Ms. Betz is a graduate of LSU Medical Center’s Physical Therapy program and is board certified in geriatrics.
