Weight bearing exercise for osteopenia? - Osteoporosis Message Board

SKZ · 05-07-2008, 01:14 PM

Hi all,

I am 52 female and had my first bone desntiy test recently. Can somone tell how bad is this please?

AP Spine: L1-L4 T-Score= 0.1

Dual Femur (Neck Left) T-Score= -1.8

Dual femar (Neck Right) T-Score- -1.7

Dual femur (Total Left) T-Score= -1.9

Dual feumr (Total right) T-Score= -1.8

Also, is the ELLIPTICAL machine considered weight bearing exercise?? I am running out of options because I cant use a treadmill, exercise bike....due to having had neck fusion (makes my muscles tense up in the upper body).

THANKS!

phylwill1152 · 05-07-2008, 03:35 PM

Hi SKZ...all your scores are in the ostoepenia range, which means you do not have osteoporosis. Osteo starts at a score of -2.5 so you have a ways to go in all areas tested before you reach that point. Osteopenia is your wake up call to make some changes in your life. Are you taking calcium, magnesium, D3,and other supplements to help keep your bone density? A healthy diet including both dairy and non dairy calcium sources is good too. Has your dr. made any suggestions to you on what to do? With scores like yours, i hope he isn't encouraging you to take one of the osteo drugs before trying other options.

Have you talked to a physical therapist about what kind of exerces you can do? They would be able to design a a safe weight training probgram you could start on. Weight traing is as important as weight bearing for improving your bone density. I think elliptical machines are considered weight bearing as are nordic track type machines. A staionary bike isn't. Does no treadmill mean no walking outside either? Good luck to you on your journey to stronger bones...take care...phyllis

SKZ · 05-07-2008, 03:57 PM

My Dr. just said to take calcium with Vit. D (which I am). No other help. Walking is an issue for me right now because I am having SI Joint problems and lower back. I started doing some weight machines and exercises in the pool (Aquasize). It really is amazing how minimal Drs. can be sometimes.

osteoblast · 05-07-2008, 10:09 PM

Just thought I would add my 2 cents about elliptical and nordic. You are standing , so you have your weight on your feet-you are supporting your weight. Not like swimming where you float. But, you do not have strike impact. You are not hitting the ground. If you look at athletes and their various sports- those that have high striking impact give the most density bang for the effort. Like basketball is a big one because of the jumping aspect. But, don't try the jumping stuff without drs. ok. But walking also has strike impact-just not as much.Bicycling-no strike impact and low bone density payoff. Just my thoughts based on some stuff I have read.
I went back and re-read your post about your neck issues etc. -Phylwil had a good thought about seeing a phys. therapist to get safe options figured out. Good luck!