Weighted jackets for osteoporosis

[karmel]

I can't find the thread that I found on weighted jackets (for osteoporosis). When I googled it all the jackets seemed more suited to men as they were very bulky. I found one specifically for women that doesn't look bulky and is a nice fit. It had very good reviews from women that had osteoporosis, and the only vest I could find that had such reviews.. It is over £100 and is the price that I should expect to pay?

[Hidden]

karmel - if you look at HeronNS posts or replies, you will see some discussion on this. We don't always find that more costly is better. I bought a hypervest-pro after reading HeronNS comments. There are some adverse comments on the amazon sales sites but I think these may come from gym-bunnies hurtling around the place and bouncing off walls. I can see no way that this isn't very fit for our purpose. The great advantage is that it will fit as though it is your body, not something that you may be carrying in the "wrong" place. I reccomend you look for HeronNS comments about this vest, and how she makes best use of it for her. Then see if it is what you want. I hope this is some help. I'm sorry not to be able to direct you straight to the threads you mention.

[karmel in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thanks I've looked at HeronNS's posts and journey. I can't find the discussion where peeps mentioned their jackets. It may have been another member that started that discussion on another community but can't find it in search. Hopefully I might get a link to the post about jackets. I'll have a look at hypervest-pro - thanks.

[Hidden in reply to karmel]

karmel - at the head of the board, past the green print HealthUnlocked, see the Search HealthUnlocked box. Type weighted vest in it. And click on the magnify symbol. Then you will see all that's been discussed here.

[karmel in reply to Hidden]

HeronNS replied - thanks for your help.

[lea57-49r in reply to Hidden]

I had a look at the full range. I ended up buying one from Amazon which was very reasonable. I did this because I wasn't sure if I would get the use out of a weighted jacket. I'm very happy with the one I chose - I wear it when I'm using the treadmill. I think your choice should depend on what activities you want to use your weighted jacket for.

[karmel in reply to lea57-49r]

Was it the hypervest-pro that you got? I was thinking of using if mainly for walking but understand from one site I went onto you get the most benefit from wearing it if you do certain exercises like jumping.

[HeronNS in reply to karmel]

hyperwear.com/blog/weight-v...

[karmel in reply to HeronNS]

You are a star.

[HeronNS in reply to karmel]

Sorry had to be so brief - was on my way out to do grocery shopping. Check with your medical people whether jumping with or without a weighted vest is a good idea when you may have spinal issues. I understand that heel drops have much the same effect with low risk of injury. Even walking downstairs helps bones! (Walking upstairs helps heart!)

[karmel in reply to HeronNS]

I did ask my physio about jumping ie. star jumps and she said yes they were ok, depending on how low impact you make the jumps, so I will ask her about doing star jumps with the vest. I used to love star jumps. Thanks Heron.

[lea57-49r in reply to karmel]

No I didn't get that one because I wasn't sure if the weighted jackets would suit me and because of that I went for a cheaper one. However, I looked thoroughly at all that was available on Amazon and have been pleased with the one I picked. I like weighted jackets and because I know that now, when I come to getting another, I would go for the hypervest. I think the hypervest from what I read is a closer fit than some of the others and would be more suitable for doing different types of exercises in. I agree with HeronNS when she says that even just walking in the weighted vest helps bones. I wish you well with whatever choice you make.

[karmel in reply to lea57-49r]

Thanks very much, It is going to be a completely new fitness regime for me wearing a weighted jacket and using Nordic poles.

[HeronNS in reply to karmel]

Do you know, I have never yet done both together! The Nordic walking actually is a workout in itself, so start cautiously, don't overdo things. Mind you, I have polymyalgia which hasn't helped. If you are otherwise healthy I think you will probably enjoy your new regimen quite a lot. I enjoy the Nordic walking.

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

Hi, I’ve been thinking about a weighted vest, but didn’t know if they’d be ok when you have compression fractures. Have you any idea?

[HeronNS in reply to Walkingdogs]

I don't know the answer to that. I believe anyone selling a weighted vest would recommend in those circumstances that your doctor and physiotherapist are the best resource. That being said, the hypervest, and others also, perhaps, have such tiny weights you can start with as little as a couple of ounces and work up in steps that small over time. The weight is distributed over your torso so it's not stressing the spine the same way a backpack would, or carrying something in your arms. Please let us know what you find out because I'm sure there are others with the same concern.

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks, I will let you know if I find out. The doctor doesn’t seem to know a lot about vertebral fractures, and I’d have to make an appointment to speak to the physio. I don’t want to spend £45 for his opinion. I’ve spent quite a bit on my back already as I attended him nearly every week for months. I’ve also had 6 sessions of acupuncture. I live in hope that it will improve another bit. 🙂

[HeronNS in reply to Walkingdogs]

If I find out anything I'll post it. I'm not due to see my physiotherapist for a couple more weeks but she's very good and may know.

[HeronNS in reply to Walkingdogs]

osteoporosis.ca/wp-content/...

I think the short answer is not without medical permission. But I'm sure I've read somewhere that if you start with very small weights it is okay, just can't find the reference. Do not want to advise you to do this, especially as you would be buying an expensive bit of kit, without your doctor saying it's safe. Probably you'd also be well advised to be strengthening the muscles which support the spine through other exercises.

Have you tried Nordic walking? This is a way to help keep you upright, and it does help improve upper body strength. I'm sure it would be a safer option for you than the weighted vest.

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you, I do exercises every morning that the physio gave me. Mainly core ones, but I also do some posture exercises from Margaret Martins book. Exercises for stronger bones. I also can walk at a brisk enough pace for up to an hour. So things have improved from last year. Standing is my problem. For instance working in the kitchen. I’m hoping there’s something that will strengthen my back another bit. I’m always on the lookout for something. 😄

[HeronNS in reply to Walkingdogs]

Look, there is going to be a trial on the effects of Nordic walking on people with OP!

clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

It will be interesting to see what benefits to the people doing the trial. I’m sure there will be a lot. I think it would be good for posture.

[HeronNS in reply to Walkingdogs]

A succinct description of Nordic walking benefits:

surreystriders.co.uk/nordic...

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

Interesting article. Many thanks.

[karmel in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for all your links Heron (just realised what NS stands for) very informative.

[karmel in reply to Walkingdogs]

Are you referring to Exercise for Better Bones: The Complete Guide to Safe and Effective Exercises for Osteoporosis?or Yoga for Better Bones or Strengthen your Core. I looked at her video after seeing your post and am tempted to buy all three but would you recommend one in particular please? I hope you don't mind my asking about your compression fracture? I read that a compression fracture can be silent causing little or no pain, so unless you have a bone density scan how do you know unless it isn't silent. Goodness it is very confusing.

[Walkingdogs in reply to karmel]

Hi, The book I got was Exercise for better Bones. It’s very good, though I can’t do some of the exercises as my back is too weak. I try to do as many of the beginner exercises as I can. It’s very well explained and laid out. I’d certainly recommend.

As for the vertebral fractures. I had 2 I didn’t know about, so don’t know how or when they happened, although I would have had a sore lower back from time to time. I found out I had op 8 years ago but nobody mentioned fractures, just old end plate injuries and I didn’t know what that meant. I got two more fractures last year and they were extremely painful and my back has been weak since then. I had an mri scan last year and that’s how I found out about the other fractures. As you say it’s very confusing and the only way to know is by a scan. This group is great for finding out more about Op.

[karmel in reply to Walkingdogs]

Hi Walkingdogs, Thanks, I have just ordered the book from Amazon and I might get the Yoga for Better Bones on Kindle sometime. Normally when you have a fracture you certainly know about it, but the more I am finding about osteoporosis the more it is hitting me that you can have a vertebral fracture and not know it unless you have a scan.

[Walkingdogs in reply to karmel]

I was amazed that I had 2 that I didn’t know about. So they must have happened after I’d the dexa scan 8 years ago. I didn’t go on the medication then as I’d read such bad stuff about it. Now I wish I had. Maybe the other 2 fractures wouldn’t have happened. I’m taking AA now with no side effects.

[karmel in reply to Walkingdogs]

I had a scan last month which showed I had osteoporosis but I don't know for how long before I had that scan, that I had op. I was doing yoga and exercises that I just wouldn't have been doing if I had known. I was going to stop taking AA after I had read about the side effects but after I fell down the other day which really shook me up and hurt my back I decided to keep taking AA. Before I was diagnosed with op I didn't realise how having it would make me feel.

[Walkingdogs in reply to karmel]

I know it does shock you. Personally I thought I was fit and healthy and felt my body had let me down. Since reading posts in this group and a uk fb group I realise I should be grateful that it’s the only thing that’s wrong with me. Some people have a lot of other health problems as well as Op. I still try and do as much as I can for it, and glad I didn’t get it when I was a lot younger. I’m 73 but I’ve read about women in their 40s and younger with it. 🙂

[karmel in reply to Walkingdogs]

Thank you for mentioning the Margaret Martin book, I've ordered a copy. I think that I was very lucky to have had good health when I was young and up until post-menopause.

[Hidden in reply to Walkingdogs]

Walkingdogs - standing is also a problem for me. In the kitchen. At bus-stops. My balance is improving and I can stand on one leg for considerably longer than used to be. So I like this exercise very much as I believe it will reduce my risk of falling over. Another odd exercise I find helps is working ?psoas muscle that runs from sternum to inner hip. I do it by standing with a hand on the wall to balance and same side foot on a brick (cork yoga brick) and move the other leg through a small to medium arc, not swinging it, just controlled slow movement. 2 or 3 minutes each side. The point to note, and perhaps be warned, when you step off after the first leg, it feels as though that leg is longer than the other! When you have done the other side, they match up!! Do you have any little in-house exercises that you enjoy?

[Walkingdogs in reply to Hidden]

Must try that. I do a 5 min Tai chi that I found on YouTube, I also do push ups against the wall, and some lower abdominal exercises in bed in the mornings

[Walkingdogs in reply to HeronNS]

Forgot to say. Ty for the link, it was very useful.