new diagnosis of osteoporosis

[Yodel]

I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis after several years of cracking ribs during floor exercises.

Do other people experience rib problems and do you restrict your exercise such as doing roll backs in Pilates?

[Fruitandnutcase]

I do three Pilates sessions every week with a teacher I’ve worked with for about fifteen years - one session is face to face and two are on Zoom. Every zoom one she starts by telling us that ‘nothing should cause pain and if it does then don’t do it even if I’ve told you to do it and even if you’ve done it before and we’re ok’

Our teacher is a physiotherapist who specialises in people with osteoporosis and my group are all older ladies - there are six of us - with a variety of ‘conditions’ from osteoporosis to spinal conditions and shoulder / knee problems. The exercises we do are all adapted to suit our individual conditions.

You could say we are all pretty fragile in one way or another but none of us have ever cracked ribs doing floor exercises. I’m sure our teacher would be horrified if that happened to any of us - she is super careful with us - for example amongst other adaptations our group never go higher than our bottom ribs when we make a bridge, we don’t do roll downs, anything that involves twisting - we do supported flat on our backs.

I no longer use machines in the gym although I think Margaret Martin shows you what to do safely and what to avoid in her exercise for osteoporosis book. I also do a lot of walking often with Nordic poles. I’d say exercise is what keeps me moving. Hope that answers your question.

[Yodel in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Extremely helpful thank you. I will look at the Margaret Martin book. I have osteoarthritis pf my knees and hands which also limits my pilates. Perhaps 1 to 1 pilate is the way forward for a while. I have a good physio too.

[veriterc]

I had similar problems, but due to my job I am often treated in Italy or Austria, and

[Yodel]

Cannot see the rest of your reply veriterc

[Hidden in reply to Yodel]

Hi Yodel, the Royal Osteoporosis Society have a selection of exercise sheets. One is about Pilates that you might find useful. theros.org.uk

There is also a consensus statement for health care professionals about exercise. This work was done by the charity, and it reviewed 100 pieces of research. Th references are in the back of the statement. It's called Strong, Steady and straight. You can find it on the HCP bit of the website. This can all be downloaded for free!

[Cappuccinobaby]

I can't advise about pilates but any weight bearing exercise is good. I would advise that you get your calcium vit d and parathyroid hormone levels checked as hyperPARAthyroidism is a known cause of osteoporosis and is curable leading to improve bone density.....

[Yodel in reply to Cappuccinobaby]

they are going to rest forCoeliac as well. Am alway folate deficient

[Budgieboy]

Hi. I have cracked my ribs 3 times, twice during exercise ( not Pilates). The last time was when I twisted getting up off the floor. A physio showed me a safer way of getting up. I guess once you know this can happen to you, you need to find ways to adapt your movements.