Dealing with Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be a difficult condition to live with due to the fact that it leads to the brittleness of bones throughout the body and makes it more difficult to partake in numerous activities. If you’re living with osteoporosis, there are a number of ways that you can deal with the disease and substantially reduce its effects on you.
Make Use of Physical Therapy
One of the worst aspects of osteoporosis is that some of the pain that you experience can be due to inactivity on a regular basis. Once this occurs, it’s difficult for it to stop, as you will automatically move less, which brings about even more pain. Physical therapy can assist you in pushing past this cycle by identifying ways in which you can move and work your muscles without hurting them. Your physical therapist can provide you with specific support mechanisms, such as a back brace, that will further improve movement.
Work on Mitigating Effects of Osteoporosis
To best deal with the pain caused by osteoporosis, it’s recommended that you do so by preventing it from happening in the first place, or at least reduce the amount of pain you experience. This can be done in several ways. For instance, changing certain aspects of your lifestyle will reduce pain. Smoking and alcohol consumption, in particular, are horrible for bones and can lower bone mass density. Implementing certain elements into your diet should also assist with a lessening of osteoporosis pain. Fill your diet with any foods that are high in such substances as Vitamin D, calcium, Vitamin K, manganese, protein, and potassium. You should also try to exercise as much as possible, as this can reduce pain.
Consider Using Certain Medications
Depending on the type of pain you have, certain medications will help lower the pain caused by osteoporosis. For severe pain, medications can be prescribed by your doctor. If you experience chronic pain, anti-depressants may provide some relief. Lastly, fracture pain can be dealt with by taking regular doses of a bone-building medication that boosts calcium levels, of which there are many types available.
Apply Heat and Ice
One of the best ways to relieve osteoporosis pain is by applying heat and ice to the affected areas. First, place a heating pad on the area with the most bone pain, which will relax the muscles. After a half hour to a full hour of this, the heat pack should be removed and an ice bag should be applied to the area, which will reduce any inflammation.
