Pilates & Osteoporosis
By Sofiana Kanta 2005
By Sofiana Kanta 2005
Metabolic bone degeneration
(osteoporosis) affects millions of people and is directly responsible for
debilitating hip, vertebral and limb fractures in the elderly. The magnitude of
the osteoporosis problem has been realized in recent years, and the value of
early detection and therapeutic intervention has become clear. Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause, when it is
called postmenopausal osteoporosis, but may also develop in men, and may occur
in anyone in the presence of particular hormonal disorders and other chronic
diseases.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones
become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated,
osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.
Obviously, the main objective of
rehabilitation is to prevent fractures rather than to treat the complications.
Therefore, health experts find regular exercise is highly important and
necessary for the prevention of osteoporosis, as it builds muscle, endurance,
correct posture and can reduce the chronic pain syndrome and decrease
depression.
Pilates training is one of the most
adequate exercise methods to prevent osteoporosis, as it provides a specific
training routine to address the muscle strength, balance, flexibility and
postural improvement.
In particular, pilates training may
substantially contribute to:
1.
Develop increased abdominal and back
extensor strength as well as spinal articulation to prevent or diminish the
kyphotic postural change which is the most physically disfiguring and
psychologically damaging affect of osteoporosis.
2.
Exercises with weight- bearing and
resistance which exerts positive influence on bone mass , as studies have shown
that resistance exercise increases bone density and reduces the risk of
fractures.
3.
Flexibility through stretches which is very important as having
flexible joints helps prevent injury.
4.
Improving balance and co-ordination,
for improving the ability to carry out daily tasks and activities.
5.
Build the bones in the vulnerable
areas of the spinal vertebrae and Hip (neck of femur).
6.
Prevent Fractures especially in the
spinal vertebral bodies.
7.
Improve Joint Function and decrease
the pain related to osteoarthritis as well.
8.
Increasing the sense of well- being,
through breathing.
9.
Relieving or lessening pain.
