Are you concerned about bone loss? Has your doctor diagnosed you with osteoporosis or osteopenia? If so, you’re likely looking for any solution for better bone health that fits into your life. While medications can help, they are not safe or effective for everyone.
Understandably, many people lean on supplements to help. While certain supplements can absolutely help you retain bone density, this is not a complete solution. For a holistic approach to bone health, make sure to focus on strengthening your core, improving your balance, and building muscle.
Core Strength and Osteoporosis
The muscles in your back and abdomen are essential in supporting your body. A strong core can:
- Support your spine
- Improve your stability
- Improve your balance
- Support pelvic bones
- Relieve back pain
- Improve your posture
All of these benefits are essential for improving your overall bone health. That’s why strengthening your core is absolutely vital for protecting your bones, especially if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Keep in mind that you certainly don’t need a six-pack or washboard abs to get these results. Any improvement in your core strength helps.
However, some core-strengthening exercises are actually harmful for people with bone density loss. It’s important to find bone-safe ways to move your spine.
Why Balance Matters for Bone Health
Balance is an important part of anyone’s health, and it becomes increasingly vital as we age. When you focus on maintaining or improving your balance, you fortify yourself against dangerous falls.
If you have bone density loss, a fall can create serious injuries. Fractures can take a long time to heal, and some never heal completely. By doing what you can to prevent falls, you’re ensuring your long-term bone health.
By creating more balance in your body, you also ensure that your weight is evenly distributed. This keeps you from putting too much stress on some bones while not strengthening other areas of the body at all.
Strength Training Protects Your Bones
Many people believe that protecting your bones means avoiding any and all physical stress. However, this isn’t quite right. Instead, it’s important to put the right kinds of physical stress on your body.
When done correctly, stress causes your muscles to become stronger. These muscles support your bones throughout your daily life and movements. Furthermore, the right kinds of stress cause your bones to react by becoming stronger. Many studies have found that strength training is the most effective way to protect and even increase your bone density.
Strength training doesn’t have to mean bench pressing or squatting barbells with a huge amount of weights. It’s just as effective for your bones if you use your body weight or smaller handheld weights. You can do this!
Benefits of Bone-Healthy Yoga
When you look at all of the things you need to do to protect your bones, it can feel overwhelming. How are you supposed to find time throughout your day to workout your core, improve your balance, and do some strength training?
Yoga can help. With just one practice per day, you can work on all of these facets of health and more. Yoga also helps you improve the connection between your mind and body. The Bone Builder System is a yoga program that uses bone-safe movements. We incorporate core strength, balance, and strength training into every practice, making it ideal for anyone with bone density loss. Learn more today!
