H W Osteoporosis: Myths, Management, And Sara Meeks …

1 Health & Wellness Osteoporosis: Myths, Management, And Sara Meeks Method in the general public. This Truth: Osteoporosis affects 44 incidence of those occurring Truth: There are many exercises, article was written to spread her million Americans, 55% of the in the spine. Most often these as well as, movements that can word and the truth that needs population. This disorder is fractures affect the vertebrae be harmful to a person with to be heard about this serious more prevalent than heart dis- located in the backbone known this disorder. People who are and often life altering disease. ease, diabetes, and breast can- as vertebral fractures. They can unaware of their potential dan- Through my experience work- cer. It affects people regardless be asymptomatic and painless ger are performing these exer- ing with the public as a Physical of their diet, physical activity, 70-80% of the time.

2 Any one cises in gyms throughout the Therapist Assistant, I have come or family history. of these fractures can lead to a country and this community. to recognize that the general Myth # 3: Most fractures drastic change in quality of life Please refer to last month's public is misinformed regarding that occur in a person with with an increase risk of death. issue of Monmouth County Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis happen because The Annual Fracture Incidence Women's magazine for tips on Here are some of the myths I of a major accident and would is 700,000 fractures in the safe exercise through the Sara have heard during my experience probably cause a fracture in spine, 300,000 in the hip, and Meeks Method. and the corresponding truths that anyone regardless of bone 250,000 in the wrist.

3 Donna Singer, PT, MPa I now know after being taught the Sports Care and Physical strength. Myth # 4: Those who DirecTor anD owner Sara Meeks Method. Rehabilitation is certified in Truth: Osteoporosis related have been diagnosed with SPorTS care & PhySical the Sara Meeks Method and Some Osteoporosis fractures occur in 1 out of Osteopenia (a milder form rehabiliTaTion knowledgeable in helping Myths include: every 2 women and 1 out of of Osteoporosis) do not have to make any lifestyle changes you to prevent fractures from Written by: Myth # 1: Osteoporosis is a every 4 men. A fracture in an falls. We have been trained by condition affecting only elderly Osteoporotic person happens because they are not at risk for Karen L. Wrisley, PTA, BS Sara Meeks herself on how to women.

4 Every 20 seconds from minor a fracture. improve postural awareness Truth: Osteoporosis is a con- slips, bending at the spine, and Truth: Although Osteopenia is to protect the spine, teach What is dition developed during in some cases fractures occur without the individuals' aware- not Osteoporosis it often leads to it in time without treatment. safer movement patterns for O etal disorder that Osteoporosis? adolescence that manifests in adulthood, affecting men ness of what may have caused A diagnosis for Osteopenia can the body, and protect the bones with safe exercise. and women alike, at any age. the fracture. be determined in one bone steoporosis is a skel- Osteoporosis is considered an Myth # 3: People who have during a bone density scan, Please contact us for more adolescent disease because we Osteoporosis will always be however, only a few bones can education and information results in compromised bone accumulate most of our bone aware that they have it based be tested.

5 Bone density from on joining our exercise classes. strength, predisposing an mass as a young adult (gener- on the signs and symptoms of one bone to the next can be We have already begun the individual to increased risk of ally age 30-35). About 90-98% this disease. inconsistent and does prevent first few weeks of classes and fracture throughout the body. is accumulated by age 18-20! Osteoporosis from being pres- Truth: Osteoporosis is a ent in an undetectable area of are looking forward to Until recent years, little has Myth # 2: Only sedentary symptom-free disease. Most the body. meeting new members to been known about preventing people with a family history of of the time, a first sign of help and educate. Osteoporosis. Today, through Osteoporosis, poor diet, and Myth # 5: Any exercise is safe Osteoporosis is a fracture of the the work of Sara Meeks , there is lifestyle are at risk.

6 Hip, wrist, or spine, the highest for a person with Osteoporosis. 732-758-1669. more known now than ever on how to properly manage Director and owner Osteoporosis. Sara Meeks began to discover, through Donna Singer, PT, MPA. her work as a Physical received her BS degree in Therapist, that the spectrum Physical Therapy from of those affected by this Northeastern University disease was much greater in Boston, MA. She than medical professionals received her Masters'. had ever thought before. She Degree in Public Health began discovering signs of Administration from this disease in people of all Fairleigh Dickinson ages, genders, and lifestyles. University in She notices that at advanced stages of Osteoporosis the Rutherford, NJ. She has body has recognizable signs been in private practice of negative postural changes.

7 In Little Silver since Although there is no cure 1988 when she opened for this disease, she found Sports Care & Physical that by strengthening the Rehabilitation. Donna muscles of the body that is an active member of protect bone (specifically the the American Physical back bone), that exercise was Therapy Association, reversing these negative pat- and a member of the terns. Better posture, lead to better balance and decrease Geriatric, Orthopedics, fracture risk. Unfortunately, and Private Practice her work is often unknown Sections. The County Woman Magazine 25 May/June 2010.