It’s important to protect the spine by moving properly during exercise and daily activities. Activities that place stress on the spine can increase the likelihood of breaking a bone. For example, people with bone loss in the spine should not: bend forward from the waist
twist and bend at the torso (trunk) to an extreme; carry packages that are too heavy; bend forward when coughing and sneezing; reach for objects on a high shelf; do toe-touches, sit-ups or abdominal crunches.
For some people with a lot of bone loss, simply hugging a friend or picking up a grandchild can cause a broken bone in the spine. So can sneezing and coughing. To help protect the spine during a sneeze or cough, a person can gently press one or both hands against the chest. This helps prevent bending forward which can place stress on the spine.
If you have osteoporosis and experience back pain, you should see a doctor or other healthcare provider trained to treat osteoporosis. Most healthcare providers will want to check the spine for broken bones. You should also have your height measured once a year and have it written in your patient chart. It’s best to do this at the same healthcare provider’s office each year. If height loss is equal to or greater than a half inch in one year, it may be a cause for concern.
Exercising
Strengthening the muscles that hold the spine straight and upright is important as are exercises to keep your spine limber and flexible. These muscles run up and down the back and sides of your spine – the erector spinae muscles.
If you have osteoporosis, you need to remember an important rule when exercising or going about your daily activities: Do not flex or bend your spine forward.
Source: www.nof.org
