Osteoporosis can seem like a fact of life for elderly women. It is a condition that involves an absolute decrease in bone tissue mass where the "morphology" (shape of the bone) remains intact.

The common sites for crush fractures are in:

• the spine
• the femur (thigh bone)
• the radius (forearm)

These fractures can occur during an accident around the house or when we go about our daily routine.

What is the chiropractic's role in the treatment of such a widespread condition? First, let's examine what your chiropractor can do for you if you suffer from osteoporosis but have not experienced any fractures.

• Prevention of further bone loss is the first step to avoid any future problems. This includes proper exercise and diet with additional supplementation of calcium citrate (the citrate form is the most readily absorbed into the body) and Vitamin D.
• Exercise (simple walking can do the trick). The benefits of walking go far beyond your cardiovascular fitness. Walking also tells our bones that they must stay strong in order to maintain the stresses of this activity.

Second, if you are unfortunate and suffer a crush fracture of the spine, the chiropractor's office is the first place to go.

Spinal x-rays will be taken and a treatment program will be established.

Orthopedic support, along with certain types of physical therapies will be prescribed.

Ice to reduce inflammation

Electromuscle stimulation to control impending muscle spasms might also used.

Physical rehabilitation is important to strengthen the supporting ligaments and muscles that support the spine.

Flat bones take the longest time to heal, so your recovery time may be longer than you expected. Fractures also heal more slowly as we age. These two factors increase our frustration and delay our recovery period. Our return to normal can take several weeks and maybe several months.

The issue of safety is also important. For example, this weekend you hurt your low back cleaning out the garage. Suddenly, you feel immediate pain. The chiropractor examines you on Monday morning and diagnoses you as suffering from a mild-moderate low back sprain. He views your x-rays and notes that your spine has the signs of osteoporosis. Is it still safe for him to treat you? The good news for the day is "yes." Chiropractors are skillfully trained in their techniques. Misconceptions about the practice of chiropractic concern the force that is administered during a spinal adjustment. The adjustment is given at high velocity, but the force remains very low. Therefore, chiropractic spinal adjusting is a safe treatment option, if you suffer from osteoporosis.