Bone Health
Love your bones
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Outpatient Therapy knows that strong and healthy bones are vital to our health. Not only do they support us and allow us to move, but they also protect our brain, heart and other organs from injury.
While it's important to build strong, healthy bones during childhood and adolescence, we also need to ensure we are taking steps throughout adulthood to protect bone health.
Osteoporosis
An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, which places them at increased risk for fractures and falls. Of these individuals, about 80 percent are women. In fact, one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.*
For those impacted by osteoporosis, Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Outpatient Therapy offers a unique, multi-faceted approach to optimizing bone health and function.
Our experienced physical and occupational therapists will review your medical history, current medications and activity levels and conduct a complete musculoskeletal evaluation. Based on the findings, we will tailor a program to your individual needs, one that may include hands-on therapy, exercises and education to help you improve and/or maintain:
- Bone density levels
- Strength and flexibility
- Coordination and balance
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage - the protective tissue on the ends of the bones - wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness and swelling. Although OA can damage any joint, it most often affects the hands, knees, hips and spine.
People of any age can develop OA, but the risk increases as we get older. OA may be further aggravated by:
- Muscle weakness
- Decreased range of motion
- Poor alignment of joints
- Excess weight
We offer personalized care and treatment to help reduce OA pain, decrease swelling and improve physical activity.
A plan of care will be created to meet your needs and overall goals. It may include:
- Manual therapy
- Exercise programs to improve muscle strength, flexibility and range of motion
- Orthotics or splinting
- Heat and/or cold therapy
- Instruction on proper posture
- Education on body mechanics and weight loss reduction
- Strategies to manage pain and optimize physical activity
Studies show that exercise and physical activity often result in better outcomes for people with OA than medications, injections and surgery.* Returning to physical therapy periodically can also help maintain benefits over the long-term.
*New England Journal of Medicine