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Exercises to Reverse Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become weak and more likely to break. While this condition is most common among older women, anyone can develop osteoporosis. Risk factors include getting older, being thin and having a family history of this condition. You may not realize you have osteoporosis until you break a bone, and the best way to diagnose this condition is to check for bone health. There are exercises that can strengthen your bones and reverse osteoporosis. It's important to check with a medical professional before beginning any exercise program.

  1. Strength Training

    • Strength training provides resistance against parts of your body as you move them and plays an important part in reversing osteoporosis. Examples of strength training exercises include back extensions, squats and bicep curls. Performing a variety of exercises promotes well-balanced muscle development and enhances coordination and balance. Strength training exercises protect your bones against osteoporosis, and help you maintain a healthy skeletal system and an active lifestyle.

    Aerobic Exercises

    • While aerobic exercises are great for your heart and general health, they can also help reverse the symptoms of osteoporosis. For an aerobic exercise to be successful, it must be a low-impact exercise and able to support your own body weight. These types of exercises include dancing, walking and running. It's important to remember that even though aerobic exercises, such as swimming and biking, are terrific exercises, they do not reverse osteoporosis because you are not supporting your own weight.

    Flexibility Exercises

    • Flexibility exercises help reverse osteoporosis by moving your joints through a full range of motion. While flexibility exercises help you maintain your balance and prevent muscle injury, they also allow you to maintain good posture. Having good posture is critical in reversing osteoporosis. Avoid exercises that put excessive stress on the bones in your spine; good flexibility programs include yoga, pilates and tai chi.

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