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Some risk factors associated with osteoporosis are out of your control. But you’re in luck, because some can be lessened by following simple tips. Below, Orthopedic Nursing Manager Katie McCarthy discusses the signs, symptoms and preventive measures. By Katie McCarthy, BSN, RN, ONC, Orthopedic Nursing Manager, Renown Health Osteoporosis is often called the silent disease, because it develops gradually for years with no clear signs or symptoms. And while some bone loss is expected as we age, osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging. So it’s important to start thinking about your bone health early.  Bone is not just a lifeless scaffold for the body. It is living tissue that regenerates continually. Once we reach peak bone mass around age 25, we begin losing more bone than we produce, increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis — which literally means porous bone and points to a loss in bone density. In severe cases, normal everyday activities or movements, like hugging, can cause a fracture. After the first fracture you’re at higher risk for more, which can lead to a life of chronic pain and immobility. Bone fractures in the spine or hip are the most serious. Hip fractures can result in disability and even death — especially in older adults. Spinal fractures can even occur without falling. The vertebrae weaken to the point that they simply crumple, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched-forward posture.   Osteoporosis: Uncontrollable Risk Factors Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men, and white and Asian women are at higher risk than black and Hispanic women. Other uncontrollable risk factors include: age; a family history of osteoporosis; certain genetic conditions; medications and medical treatments; eating disorders; a low body weight and small, thin frame; ethnicity; menopause: In fact, the lack of estrogen produced during menopause is largely responsible for a woman’s increased risk. Poor diet, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and an unhealthy weight also contribute to bone loss. Fortunately, those risk factors are in your control. Without symptoms, you can’t know if you’ve developed osteoporosis unless you get a bone density test or suffer a fracture. If you fall into a high-risk group, are over age 50 or have any concerns about your bone health, consult your doctor and find out if you need to be evaluated. Additionally, if either of your parents sustained hip fractures, you experienced early menopause or took corticosteroids for several months — a steroid often prescribed to relieve inflammation and arthritis — you’ll want to talk to your doctor about your bone health. If you test positive, your doctor will devise a treatment plan to match your needs, which will include lifestyle changes surrounding diet and exercise to build and strengthen weak bones. Medication to slow bone breakdown and build new bone may be prescribed, depending on the severity of your bone loss. If you’ve sustained a spinal fracture that is causing severe pain, deformity or is not responding to non-surgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Reduce Your Risk of Osteoporosis You can strengthen your bones now to prevent osteoporosis from starting. Here are some tips: Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in caffeine, sodium and protein. Avoid soda, and talk to your doctor to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Don’t smoke — it directly correlates with a decrease in bone mass. Smokers also take longer to heal from a fracture. Limit alcohol to two to three beverages per day. It interferes with the production of vitamins needed to absorb calcium and the hormones that help protect bones. Exercise three to four times each week — it’s key to healthy bones. Weight-bearing exercises like jogging, hiking and especially weight lifting build bone mass and density. There are aspects of the aging process we can’t control, but we can do something about bone loss and osteoporosis. Find out your risk, and show your bones a little TLC — you’re going to need them. This story was also published in the Reno Gazette-Journal’s Health Source on April 24, 2016.

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Experiencing knee pain during exercise or while undertaking daily activities? The knee is the largest joint in our body, so it goes without saying a lot hinges on its functionality. Here are a few exercises to help.   Is exercise a real pain in the knee for you? Does getting up in the morning require a few minutes for your knees to adjust to walking around? As it turns out, knee pain is common, and it can result from injury, overuse or the breakdown of cartilage over time. Often, this pain is a result of faulty mechanics in your body, according to Jessica Ryder, a physical therapist with Renown Physical Therapy and Rehab. “We see weakness at the hips causing a lot of stresses at the knee,” she says. Exercises that Alleviate Knee Pain Try these three exercise to strengthen your glute muscles and maintain proper alignment in your knees. Hip Lift Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat against the floor. Lift your hips into the air until your body is in a neutral position, then lower your hips back down. Repeat this motion several times until you feel a gentle burn in your glute muscles. Step Down Stand with one foot on a stair or step. Slowly bend your knee and drop the other foot toward the floor. Slowly extend back up to your starting position. While doing this exercise, it’s important to move slowly, maintain control and ensure that your knee is in line with your toes. Do as many reps as needed until you feel a small fatigue in your muscles. Repeat this exercise on the opposite leg. Side Step with Exercise Band Place an exercise band around your ankles. Stand in a slight squat and then take several steps to the side until you feel a small fatigue on the outside of your hips. While doing this exercise, keep your upper body still and focus the exercise to your hips. The band will try to move your knees toward each other Repeat in both directions. Hometown Health and Renown Health are proud to be the official insurance plan and healthcare partners of the Nevada Wolf Pack. Renown Physical Therapy and Rehab | 775-982-5001 Through outpatient physical, occupational and also speech therapy, Renown Physical Therapy and Rehab gives patients hands-on, individualized treatment. Our therapists use evidence-based methods to help patients return to an active, productive lifestyle. Learn More About PT

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An arthritis diagnosis doesn’t mean your exercise routine has to end. In fact, a consistent routine can actually improve mobility. Although stiff and painful joints can make it difficult to keep moving, staying active is essential for easing pain. October 11 is World Arthritis Day, so we asked Michelle Higgins, MPT at Renown Physical Therapy & Rehab some advice about exercising with arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects one in five adults and 300,000 children. As a matter of fact arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Your joints certainly don’t need to suffer when you exercise. In general exercise is actually necessary for those with arthritis. Not only does it reduce joint pain, but it also increases strength and flexibility. Furthermore those adopting a regular exercise routine also have more energy, deeper sleep and find it easier to maintain a healthy weight. “Exercise is a necessary component to managing your arthritis,” says Higgins. “Consistent participation in an exercise program has been shown to promote long-term pain relief, increased body function and an improved quality of life. Alternatively, a lack of exercise can actually increase joint pain or stiffness and eventually lead to long term disability and suffering.” Exercising With Arthritis Exercise truly is the most effective non-drug arthritis treatment available for reducing pain and improving movement. And it can even include daily activities like gardening, dancing or walking your dog. Of course talk to your doctor or physical therapist about what exercises fit into your specific treatment plan. With this is mind, the four specific components below are important to an effective arthritis exercise program: Range of motion Moving joints through their full available range of movement is important. This frequently increases function and decreases joint stiffness and pain. For this reason, aim to complete these exercises daily. Examples include bending, straightening, and rotating specific joints, or static and dynamic stretching. Strengthening These exercises target muscles supporting and protecting our joints and bones. Strengthening is also necessary for weight control, so two-to-three sessions per week are recommended. In order to allow your body to adapt, begin with light resistance and start slow. Strength exercises include weightlifting and using resistance bands. Low-impact aerobic exercise Aerobic exercise is certainly necessary for overall well-being, weight management and heart health. Aim for two-to-three sessions a week. Low-impact exercises include walking, swimming, cycling, elliptical machine exercises and water aerobics. Balance Good balance is also vital for an effective arthritis program. On the positive side, solid balance prevents falls by increasing your ability to stay upright whether you are moving or sitting still. Likewise, it improves your confidence with walking and daily activities. In order to keep excellent balance, incorporate daily balance exercises. Examples of balance exercises include the use of an exercise ball, Tai Chi and exercises such as standing on one foot. Start Slow, Finish Strong As you begin your exercise program, remember to listen to your body. Start slowly – it can take several weeks for your body to adjust to exercise. Consult your doctor, or physical therapist, if you experience increasing pain or swelling which doesn’t go away with rest. Above all, incorporate fun and motivating activities so you’ll stick to them long term and improve your results. Renown Physical Therapy & Rehab 775-982-5001 Through outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy, Renown Physical Therapy & Rehab gives you hands-on, individualized treatment in convenient Reno/Sparks locations. We have the latest, most advanced physical therapy and rehab equipment, specialty services and treatments. Renown Physical Therapy & Rehab is now open on Robb Drive in addition to three additional locations in Reno and Sparks. Call 775-982-5001 or visit us online.

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Giving birth expends as much energy as running a marathon. And just like you would only run a marathon with training beforehand, there are exercises you can do to prepare for birth. But instead of a coach, you'll have your birth team. Your birth team exists to help you navigate pregnancy and labor and support your choices. Let's say you've never put together a birth team before and are wondering where to start. Today we'll go over the three main positions to fill for your birth team's starting lineup. Birthing Person The birthing person is the leader of the team. After all, you can't have a birth team without someone giving birth. This person could be the baby's mother, gestational surrogate, birth parent before adoption, a transgender father or a non-binary parent. If you are not the birthing person, don't presume to know what the ideal labor and birth circumstances should be. And if you are the birthing person, don't allow anyone else to tell you what you want. This is your body and your birth; you are the boss in the birth room. Doula No birth team is complete without a doula, and although doulas have increased in popularity lately, many people still don't know what a doula is. Simply put, a doula is a birth professional – not a medical provider – who offers emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, labor and beyond. Most doulas' services include at least one prenatal visit and one postpartum visit, as well as continuous care throughout active labor. Some doulas provide more than one prenatal/postpartum visit, so be sure to ask what is included in their fee. Even if you have a partner who will support you during labor, studies have shown that a doula can significantly increase your likelihood of a positive birth outcome. Even the most supportive partner needs to rest, and a doula can ensure that you still get the care you need while your partner gets a break. Midwife or Obstetrician Finally, you'll want to choose the medical professional who will attend your birth. Many folks choose to give birth with the OB/GYN who does their annual check-ups, but there are many reasons someone might choose a different provider for their birth. The first step to finding the best attending provider for your birth is to decide which model of care aligns closest to your values and goals: the Midwifery Model of Care or the Medical Model of Care. .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-gqvw{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-weight:bold; text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-8vim{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-size:18px; font-weight:bold;text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-qm8j{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;text-align:left; vertical-align:top} .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-gqvw{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-weight:bold; text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-8vim{background-color:#ffffff;color:#56266d;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;font-size:18px; font-weight:bold;text-align:left;vertical-align:top} .tg .tg-2rvk{background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;text-align:left; vertical-align:top} Midwifery Model of Care Medical Model of Care Philosophy Birth is physiological. Birth is potentially pathological. Interventions Medical interventions can cause more complications, and therefore are only used as needed. Medical interventions should be used, even in non-emergency situations and sometimes as preventative measures. Decisions Birthing person is the key decision maker. Medical professional is the key decision maker. Provider’s Role Providers monitor labor and will intervene or transfer to hospital if needed. Providers assess and control the birthing process.

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