Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
Physical therapists at Practice Human specialize in the prevention and treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis with exercise.
The majority of our patients are women ages 50-80 who have a background in embodied practices like yoga, dance, and Pilates.
We know how frustrating it can be to receive the results of your first bone density scan and find out you have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Every day at our physical therapy clinic we hear patients with low bone density saying:
- I’m healthy. I walk every day and have been doing yoga regularly for decades.
- I thought I was strong and staying active. How can I have osteoporosis?
- I have osteopenia in my hips and spine. I want to start strength training now to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
- My goal is to manage my bone health for the long-term with strength training. I'm trying to avoid taking medication.
- I’ve been taking estrogen blockers for breast cancer and now I’m concerned about osteopenia and osteoporosis.
- I want to start strength training, but now that I know I have osteoporosis, I'm concerned about injury or fracture. I don’t feel safe beginning lifting weights on my own or with just any trainer or group class instructor.
- Now that I have an osteoporosis diagnosis, I've become more worried about falling.
Who is affected by osteoporosis?
Osteopenia and osteoporosis primarily affect postmenopausal women ages 50 and older. Genetic factors like ethnicity and family history may also play a role.
As physical therapists, we’re concerned with a patient’s overall health status, history of exercise selection, and functional movement capacity.
At Practice Human we specialize in working with active New Yorkers who’ve engaged in bodyweight movement practices like yoga, Pilates, dance, and walking for decades.
An osteoporosis diagnosis can come as a surprise. In the absence of fracture and without receiving a bone density scan, there are no signs or symptoms associated with low bone mass.
Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Female gender
- Age 50 or older
- Postmenopausal
- Low body weight
- Sedentary lifestyle with limited weight bearing activities
- White or Asian ethnicity
- History of type 2 diabetes
- Untreated Celiac disease, Cushing's syndrome, or Crohn's disease
- Hyperparathyroidism
- History of long-term corticosteroid use
- History of estrogen-blocking medications
- History of disordered eating or relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
- Overtraining in endurance sports
Work With Us
For many of our patients, general activity levels are high, however the body is chronically underloaded.
Most of our clients come to us with little to no experience using weight equipment or other forms of resistance for building strength, muscle mass, and bone density.
What does the research say on strength training for osteoporosis?
Research supports resistance training with weights for strength and power as a safe and effective strategy for:
- Building muscle mass and improving bone mineral density
- Decreasing risk of falling
- Decreasing risk of fracture
- Improving metabolic health
- Decreasing the risk of cognitive impairments
- Improving functional independence later in life
All of these are key factors in managing bone health over time.
How can physical therapy help manage osteoporosis?
Physical therapists are movement specialists who educate on the holistic nature of bone health and design individualized exercises programs to help you build confidence and capacity in your daily activities and beyond.
At your physical therapy for osteoporosis initial evaluation you will:
- Discuss your medical history so your therapist can gain a holistic perspective on the factors affecting your overall health
- Learn more about osteoporosis and how you can take an active role in managing your bone health and decreasing your risk of falls and fractures with exercise
- Complete a physical screen for strength, mobility, basic functional movement patterns, balance, and be assessed clinically for your risk of falling
- Discuss and receive a physical exam for any pain complaints that are currently disrupting your daily activities or preventing you from exercises at a higher level
- Go over your goals, along with your unique lifestyle and exercise preferences
The physical therapists at Practice Human will help you develop a safe and effective strength program to prevent and treat osteopenia and osteoporosis.
As you progress in a physical therapy plan of care we’ll work with you on pain management, strength, power, balance, agility, and skills relevant to your life and goals.
We’ll help you:
- Manage persistent musculoskeletal pain that might include knee and hip arthritis, rotator cuff related shoulder pain, back and neck pain, and nerve irritation
- Find the most challenging things you can do confidently and comfortably right now and work from there to grow your physical capacity
- Select the appropriate exercises, weights or other equipment, and amount / frequency of exercise
- Become independent in carrying out safe and effective bone building workouts on your own, at home or in a gym
Ready to get started managing your osteoporosis with physical therapy and strength exercise?
SCHEDULE A PHYSICAL THERAPY VISIT
Or read on for next steps, what to expect, pricing, and frequently asked questions.
How often will I come for physical therapy? And how long does a plan of care for osteoporosis last?
At Practice Human we typically recommend starting with twice weekly visits to develop confidence and consistency with a new strength program. Once you’ve completed 3-6 weeks of twice weekly visits and have worked with your therapist to develop a simple 30 minute strength program to complete once a week on your own, we taper to once weekly visits.
If you already have experience working with weights or see a personal trainer in addition to PT sessions, once weekly visits might be sufficient in the beginning.
- It takes about 8-12 weeks to develop familiarity and confidence with a few of the basic strength training movements and equipment for preventing and treating osteoporosis.
- The actual tissue changes in muscle, tendons, and bones require about 12 months of consistent exposure. It’s a long game.
Our goal at Practice Human is to prepare you for independent strength training sessions at home or in a gym. We want you to become autonomous with sustainable bone building exercise throughout your lifespan.
We also offer personal training and small group classes that serve as a next step beyond physical therapy if you are looking for ongoing accountability and community.
Physical Therapy Pricing
Self-pay: $280 for initial evaluation, $220 per follow-up visit
- If you have out-of-network insurance we provide superbills. Depending on your plan and deductible, you may be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of your visit costs.
Physical therapy treatment for osteoporosis under Medicare:
- Practice Human is a proud Medicare provider for physical therapy in New York.
- Standard Medicare annual deductible, reimbursement rates, and visit limits apply.
- See below for details.
SCHEDULE A PHYSICAL THERAPY VISIT FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
Medicare patients please note:
You must obtain a doctor’s referral for physical therapy to begin evaluation and treatment under Medicare.
- Your referral can come from any MD including a PCP or NP (nurse practitioner) working with your MD, or any specialist such as a physiatrist, orthopedist, endocrinologist, or gynecologist.
We do not accept Medicare Advantage plans.
- You must have Medicare as your primary insurance provider.
- If you have a supplemental plan as well, it will cover a portion of your PT visit costs after Medicare.
- If you are unsure, we’re happy to look up and verify your benefits to be certain your PT sessions will be covered. Please email your insurance information to hello@practicehuman.com and our billing team will assist.
How many physical therapy visits can I have through Medicare?
- Medicare will typically allow a short (12-15 visit) plan of care to evaluate your health history and current baseline of activity and physical function, assess your safest and most advantageous starting point for resistance exercise, and develop a foundational strength program for you to continue independently or with the help of a personal trainer or group class.
- If you are struggling with pain or other physical conditions that limit your ability to exercise safely or comfortably, or if physical therapy is medically necessary to maintain your independence in daily activities, a longer physical therapy plan of care might be warranted under Medicare.
"I’ve worked with Caitlin for several months and it’s transformed my everyday life. She carefully prepares me for anything new, makes sure my form is right to avoid injury, and checks on my reaction afterward."
Training with Caitlin isn’t an activity separate from the rest of my life. I’m constantly aware that it affects every action I take during the week, whether hoisting my (relatively) heavy bags up onto the train’s luggage rack, pulling out cast iron pots in the kitchen, transplanting large shrubs or smallish trees in the garden, and so much more. Lift a 50-pound bag of sand? Not a problem.
Walking in the city is a joy—I can pace myself to hit the green lights instead of relying on jaywalking. I’m 76, small-boned, female, and was headed to osteoporosis. I love having the confidence that I can take care of myself and want others to know they can, too. Because of Caitlin’s strength training, I’m only going to be getting better, not worse, in the future.
— DL D.
“Caitlin’s thoughtful, individualized approach is so refreshing. She listens, she runs some tests, she explains clearly without ever being condescending, and then works with you one-on-one."
You’re never passed off to anyone else to do repetitive, mindless exercises. Caitlin has ruined me for any other PT. It’s like flying first class — you can’t go back to coach without knowing what you’re missing.
Speaking of exercises, don’t miss out on her small group strength programs focused on women over 40. She applies that same approach and for the first time in my life I am energized and excited about strength training. No matter your capabilities or equipment avails, there’s a way to start and make it work.
I’d like to gatekeep Caitlin but I just couldn’t live with myself. Run, don’t walk!
— ANNEMARIE C.
