OsteoStrong does it really work?

[Bummedout]

in the USA, clinics called OsteoStrong claim to use machines to put the right amount of stress on bones to promote growth etc… Does it really work?

[Foodie2shoes]

I can say that my time with OsteoStrong has been very positive. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia that was in steady decline over 3 DEXA scans of between 2-8%. With my last scan showing more loss, my MD wanted me to start medication. I did not want to do that and asked him for the next 2 years to try to improve my bone health, using good supplements, weight bearing exercise in the gym, yoga and OsteoStrong. My DEXA 2 years later showed measurable improvement on my spine and 3 out of 4 hip/femur sites (over 10% improvement on my left femur). I would have been happy to just stop the decline, but the gain in bone density was such great news. I don't think the supplements and exercise alone would have made that much improvement. Even the right hip slowed its decline. The visits are simple and quick. I'm sold.

[Bummedout in reply to Foodie2shoes]

Great thank you!

[Kaligirl]

I tried it and it did not work for me, I was bummed because I did everything they said and I actually got worse.

Now I use a vibration plate, walk, weight lift and log what I eat on an app to make sure I’m getting all my required nutrients.

Since I made this change I went from -3.6 to -3.5.

[Bummedout in reply to Kaligirl]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s sure tough to know what works and what doesn’t, I wish the doctors could just tell us!

[Raleigh59 in reply to Kaligirl]

What app

[Kaligirl in reply to Raleigh59]

It’s called Cronometer. It was an eye opener to me when I started logging what I ate and how many important nutrients I was lacking.

A tip if you decide to use it the first week or so is time consuming to log everything and I wouldn’t know until night time what I was lacking, so if you log each morning your plan for the day you can spread out your supplements during the day. If that makes sense.

[bonewarrior in reply to Kaligirl]

Good morning from vitamin D2 country Greece...! Kaligirl, please let me know which app for tracking food you use and which supplements and how much of each you take. I've been fighting Osteoporosis without any medication for two years now. Supplements, HRT, weight training. Having my next scan in May but don't trust DEXA anyway. Thanks!

[Kaligirl in reply to bonewarrior]

I was on estrogen and progesterone for a couple years and my numbers improved but my doctor said I couldn’t stay on it because of risks vs rewards.

I swear by the Cronometer app it was a real eye opener for me to see how horrible le my diet was. Anyway it took sometime to get a system in place but I would sit each morning and plan my meals for the day, log them into the app and see what I needed to supplement and then divide the vitamins up during the day. After about a month I was able to change my diet so that I don’t need so many supplements.

I take centrum silver, vitamin c and collagen powder daily, sports research vitamin D and K as needed. Occasionally I fall short on magnesium so I supplement when needed.

Good luck 🥰

[yogalibrarian]

I know of several researchers who have asked OsteoStrong for their evidence/date (i.e. a real study), and OsteoStrong has never provided it. And the one paper they did provide was irrelevant. So the consensus is that there is no data -- just anecdotes.

I've also heard some stories about OsteoStrong-related injuries.

[Bummedout in reply to yogalibrarian]

I am afraid it’s a marketing thing vs researched backed. I wonder what they would provide if I asked. I just wanna do the right thing ;(

[Kaligirl in reply to yogalibrarian]

I had also asked them yo see the proof and they always had a reason why it wasn’t available. They would say “oh I’ll make sure I have it for you at your next visit” one time they told me it was private information and they couldn’t share.

[yogalibrarian in reply to Kaligirl]

That is scary....

[yogalibrarian]

I think there are far better programs -- with a strong evidence base and track records -- available.

* Too Fit to Fracture

* BoneFit

* RSVP Bone Builders

* Better Bones & Balance

[Bummedout in reply to yogalibrarian]

oh this is great I’ve never heard of these. I will check them out! I truly appreciate it.

[Smilerv in reply to yogalibrarian]

I appreciate this too yogalibrarian!

[Nexie2020 in reply to yogalibrarian]

Hello Yogalibrarian, thank you for the 4 programs you mentioned in a recent post. Looked up all 4 programs and none have a physical presence where I am in Tampa, FL. Lots of great online programs with videos and lots of videos on you tube, but I would like to start out with live classes because I have had a T12 fracture and have lots of lumbar issues. I find it scary to just start off with an online program. About to start PT . To my knowledge, PT doesn't have any special training in working with people wtih osteoporosis, but I will give it a shot. Thank you for you many helpful posts.

[yogalibrarian in reply to Nexie2020]

You are right. Do not just start out with an online program or a YouTube video. Start with a physical therapist!

A few years ago there was a bone health consortium in Tampa-- Healthy Bones Tampa Bay. I don't know if they are still in existence. Tampa General Hospital was very involved in the consortium. I think there were a number of med students from Nova University involved as well.

[CKDnomore3953 in reply to yogalibrarian]

Thanks for this list Yogalibrarian

[Raleigh59 in reply to yogalibrarian]

Which is the program with best results ?

[yogalibrarian in reply to Raleigh59]

Good question. But best results for what? Too often we focus on bone density and T-scores when that is not the real concern. The real concern is fracture. And bone density only accounts for about 50% of fracture risk. And fracture can happen at any bone density.

There is a similar concern is blood pressure. We talk about managing high blood pressure but the real concern is the damage -- heart attack, stroke, arterial damage, kidney damage, etc. -- that can be caused by high blood pressure.

So with osteopenia/osteoporosis (and even with normal bone density) our concern is fractures and the falls that can lead to fractures and other altering injuries.

What you should be focusing on is a program that reduces fall risk and improves balance, strength, and flexibility. And a program that also puts healthy stresses on bones while avoiding unhealthy stresses on bones.

Programs like these can help you fall "safely." Over the years several of my Bone Builders students talked about serious falls that left them badly bruised but not fractured (to the surprise of their doctors).

All of the programs I listed are evidence-based. That means solid evidence of efficacy in a community setting with real people. (Research-based can sometimes mean it has been tested on lab rats and flat worms.) Program delivery also requires training, certification, and adherence to program fidelity requirements. They aren't just something thrown together by a personal trainer without an understanding of osteoporosis.

The best program of those programs is the one you will actually commit to doing...

In addition to the programs I mentioned, there are a number of highest-tier, evidence-based fall prevention programs listed on the NCOA website. (ncoa.org/article/evidence-b... My personal favorite is Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention. (It's what I teach most often.)

[Bummedout in reply to yogalibrarian]

Wow this is great again!

[yogabonnie]

I take adult beginning TAP and even though I am on prednisone I improved my dexa score and shocked my doc. I teach Yoga but the bones improved (ever so slightly) with Tap. once a week. he expected them to worsen ..because of the prednisone.

[DP000]

Yes it works! after 2 years, new DEXA results, show some areas stayed the same ( great) and some got better! Thats all the proof I need to continue there.