Osteoporosis and Pilates

I was recently lucky to go on an Osteoporosis course with a lady called Rebekah Rotstein.  Rebekah is an ambassador for American Bone Health and is a respected authority on the subject. She has developed a system called Buff Bones.

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. In the UK, 3 million people have Osteoporosis, with over 500,00 fractures every year. That’s 1 bone broken every minute or 1,400 a day!  Sadly these numbers are on the increase, due to many factors. Statistically 1 out of every 2 women will suffer a fracture, 1 in every 5 men. Indeed, everyone will start to lose bone mass after the age of 35, which is why we need to protect our bones.

There are three common sites where a fracture is most likely to occur: the hip; the spine; and the wrist.

How can Pilates help?

As you are aware, the inner unit helps to hold the spine in a position that decompresses the spine. The “neutral” position of the spine / pelvis, is part of this system. 

So why do we need a different Pilates class for Osteoporosis?

There are certain moves, that we incorporate into a Pilates class, that are not of benefit for someone with Osteoporosis. This is because they could put pressure on potential fracture sites. These are primarily anything that flexes the spine forward, for example abdominal curls. Plus, potentially anything that side bends the spine, especially if someone has already had a fracture.

So why Buff Bones?

What I love about the Buff Bones system if that it is medically endorsed and its design is supported by the latest research. It incorporates elements of Pilates and other modalities that help to promote an increase in bone density. These are:

· Weight bearing.

· Resistance.

· Impact.

Additionally, I welcome that this is a progressive system (you know what I’m like for progression). So, the Buff Bones systems does develop into a challenging workout over time.