Osteoporosis and Exercising - By: Dan Brathers

It has been proven that exercise works wonders for reducing the chances of developing spinal problems or broken bones in those who have osteoporosis. With the lack of exercise, there is a greater chance of losing independence and mobility due to the increased risks of breaking your bones.

Exercising will help reduce pain that one may suffer from, improve posturing, and may allow you to perform daily tasks without any problems.

Before beginning an exercise regime, it is always best to consult a physician or your doctor. As I stated before, those who have osteoporosis have a greater chance of developing hazardous injuries that can reduce their health. You many have to have a fitness assessment and bone density test before beginning an exercise program.

There are three main types of exercises that are ideal for those who have osteoporosis. The most surprising of these three that you would expect an osteoporosis sufferer is strength training programs.

Usually, the last thing you would expect for someone with low bone density to do is try their hand at some weights. However, the exercises that are usually done by osteoporosis patients are for strengthening the bones in the back, arms, and spine. These exercises tend to control mineral loss in those areas.

Another form of exercise is weight-bearing aerobic activities. These involve walking, stair climbing, gardening, and other similar activities. These exercises not only slow mineral loss, they also ten to help the circulatory system.

Flexibility exercises are great for keeping full range of the limbs. This is great for improving posture and reducing stiffness. When the joints become stiff, certain muscles (abdominal and chest muscles) are tightened which pulls the body a bit forward. This is why elders in movies or television shows are depicted with a stooped posture.

It is always best to stretch after exercise. They should always be done very gently. It is never a good idea to bounce when you stretch or bend at the waist. This can cause more damage to the spine and bones.

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