Dr. M Rajaram

OSTEOPOROSIS

From middle age many women are affected by a disorder called osteoporosis. This is essentially a mineral deficiency disorder.During and after menopause, there is a significant and continuing deficiency in calcium replacement which must in many cases be supplemented with calcium tablets on a regular basis. As a consequence of calcium deficiency, there is a weakening of bone structure resulting in a slow but progressive reduction in bone height. This in turn allows the postures of those affected to become extremely rounded, especially in the mid or thoracic part of the spine.In persons affected by this disorder there are risks of fractures occurring without any significant forces being applied to the bones of the vertebrae. Research conducted at the Mayo Clinic in the United States has demonstrated that extension exercises performed regularly  had significantly reduced the number of compression fractures in the group exercising in this manner. A similar group exercising differently and a group not exercising at all had significantly more fractures when examined at least one year later. This study suggests that women from perhaps the age of forty onward should practice this exercise as described on a regular basis.My own recommendation would be that the exercise should be performed fifteen to twenty times, four or five times per week. If you are uncertain regarding this advice, discuss the matter with your doctor before commencing the programme. Should you have difficulties with the exercises for one reason or another, you should consult a manipulative therapist who will show you means of modifying the exercise without necessarily reducing its effectiveness.The muscles strengthened by performing the exercises recommended by the Mayo Clinic study are also the muscles responsible for holding you upright, and it is probable that maintaining good posture at all times will assist in the strengthening process. This may also reduce the likelihood of small fractures occurring.