Osteoporosis
Definition
The degeneration of bone with loss of bone mass, calcium content, and trabeculi, making bones weak and brittle and increasing the risk for fractures.
Description
Simply put, osteoporosis means porous bones, bones that are brittle and at higher risk of fracture and degenerative changes. Symptoms of osteoporosis, though, do not present themselves until middle age or so. By then, it is more difficult to try to build bone more mass as the body doesn't absorb nutrients as well as it did when we were kids.
Xrays are important: Falls in osteoporotic patients are particularly risky for fractures. In treating a patient with osteoporosis who reports pain in the spine and had a recent fall, an xray is important to rule out any fractures.
If a fracture (called a "compression fracture") is noted, a special treatment application method is used.
If no fracture is noted, the doctor using chiropractic Cox Technic treats the spine to open the spinal canal space and increase disc height to relieve pain.
Dietary recommendations are important for the care and prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Examination
A thorough, clinical examination of the affected spinal area - cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar - that may include imaging is important to your recovery.
Treatment
Dr. Tenckhoff uses Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain.
At Home Care
At home you may want to avoid sitting for long periods of time, wear a support brace if recommended, take nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage and bone, do exercises that strengthen your spine, sleep on a supportive mattress, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, and modify your daily activities as needed.