Osteoporosis is being diagnosed more often and at younger ages than ever before. In fact, between 1990 and 2000, there was nearly a 25% increase in hip fractures worldwide. Europe and the Americas accounted for 51% of all fractures which is a hugely disproportionate amount. Why is this?
If we look at America for example:
What is it that causes more people every year to get osteoporosis?
Why is it that America and other westernized countries have much higher rates of osteoporosis than less developed countries?
- Why is osteoporosis being diagnosed in a higher percentage of people every year?
- Why is osteoporosis being diagnosed in younger and younger populations?
- Why does the Westernized world see higher rates of osteoporosis than less developed countries?
If we look at America for example:
- Americans get less physical movement on a daily basis than every third world country, so it can’t be we are doing too much cardio as many experts claim.
- Americans get more calcium in our diets than most third world countries, so it can’t be a lack of calcium in our diets.
- Americans use more hormone replacement therapy than every third world country, so it can’t be caused by hormone imbalances after menopause.
What is it that causes more people every year to get osteoporosis?
Why is it that America and other westernized countries have much higher rates of osteoporosis than less developed countries?
I believe it has to do with our posture. Americans have terrible posture which is getting worse all the time. Children, teenagers, and young adults have worse posture than any generation before them. Our bodies work on this wonderful principle called “vertical load”. This means that our bodies are designed in a manner where each of our major joints are designed to stack vertically one on top of the next. Shoulder over the hip, hip over the knee, knee over the ankle.
Our posture should look like this:
Our posture should look like this:
 Good postural alignment with ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and head vertically aligned. |  All load joints align vertically with hips level and spine in a small s-curve as designed. |
Not this:
 Poor posture: knees are ahead of ankles; shoulders are behind hips; head is forward of shoulders; s-curve is lost. |  Posture is not aligned optimally: s-curve is exaggerated with excessive lordosis in lower back, too much thoracic flexion, and loss of lordosis in neck. Shoulders rounded forward and down. |
When our joints are aligned vertically, gravity is applying a constant force down through our bones, strengthening them. This is happening whether we are sitting, standing, running, skiing, or golfing. But if our joints do not line up vertically, then gravitational forces are not having this positive effect on our bone density and can even start to have a negative and degenerative effect over time.
 She is demonstrating poor sitting posture where no s-curve is maintained in spine and instead back has assumed a c-curve. |  Standing on one leg creates uneven load on the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and spine. |
The answer to the mystery of why our bones are getting weak is very simple: because our posture is indeed weak and misaligned. When we realign our posture our body does what it is designed to do: increase our bone density. And it does this without the need for drugs such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Didronel and others that all have negative long term effects on our bone structure and overall health. Wouldn’t you rather do it the natural way? I know I would.
If you would like a free postural evaluation and personalized discussion about your body, bones, and overall musculoskeletal health contact me today. At Oregon Exercise Therapy I specialize in helping people just like you relieve pain, restore function, and rediscover your bodies amazing ability to function pain and limitation free no matter your age.
If you would like a free postural evaluation and personalized discussion about your body, bones, and overall musculoskeletal health contact me today. At Oregon Exercise Therapy I specialize in helping people just like you relieve pain, restore function, and rediscover your bodies amazing ability to function pain and limitation free no matter your age.
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