As osteoporosis progresses, bones become more and more porous and weaker and weaker until as small a trauma as stooping over to pick up a newspaper may result in fractures of the vertebrae of the spine. The spinal muscles become more and more fatigued as they strain to counteract the increased force of gravity which the widow's hump imposes on them. As the curvature becomes more pronounced, severe pain may be experienced in the surrounding spinal muscles. Other common sites of such fractures due to osteoporosis include the wrist, the hip and the pelvis. Fractures in these areas may occur from a simple fall from the standing position and will usually hurt immediately.
Physical therapy is one facet of the team approach to the successful management of osteoporosis.
Ideally, when a person discovers that they have osteoporosis, there will be a consultation with a health care provider who can help formulate a program which will allow the person to exert some control over the situation. Physical therapy can be effective in helping the patient to attain program goals such as pain reduction, increased muscle strength and coordination, and decreased propensity to fall. Physical therapists utilize deep heat, massage, and posture training to help relieve some of the aches, pains, and muscle spasms resulting from osteoporotic fractures. Additionally, a physical therapist can help with the design and proper implementation of an osteoporosis exercise program. There is strong evidence to suggest that osteoporosis is more likely to occur in the absence of physical exercise.