Osteopenia Resistance Training

Case Description: The patient is a 67 y/o female with a recent diagnosis of osteopenia based on a bone scan, primarily affecting her thoracic spine and shoulders.  She was advised by her PCP to begin upper body resistance training, but was totally unfamiliar with this concept and feeling overwhelmed with her recent diagnosis.  She had some access to weight equipment, but had never in her life done any resistance training and was generally unfamiliar with the concept of exercise, especially for her upper body.  

Treatment: She was seen for 4 physical therapy visits over a 1 mo period.

• Thoracic mobility training to improve postural control/variability
• UE resistance training banded exercises and free weight exercises combining push/pull movement and overhead tasks to improve strength
  • Training in use of home equipment (Bowflex Machine)
  • Education on basic exercise progression and principles of physiology relating to value in improved muscle/bone/joint health

Tests and Measures	Initial Evaluation	Day of Discharge from Physical Therapy
Thoracic Rotation	R Rotation = 50% expectedL Rotation = 50% expected	R Rotation = 100% expectedL Rotation = 100% expected
Shoulder girdle strength(Based on MMT)	R shoulder = grossly 4/5L shoulder grossly 4-/5	R shoulder = grossly 4/5L shoulder grossly 4-/5

Patient Comments at Discharge: “I now can do pushes/pulls correctly to have an impact on my osteopenia…(with) your physical therapist’s knowledge and plan of action to help my condition, I am able to continue on my own.”  

Summary: Physical therapy can provide an informed and sustainable resistance training program in the setting of diagnosis of osteopenia / osteoporosis, which can be especially helpful with clients who are unfamiliar with exercise or who have existing conditions that might make resistance training difficult. 

Sincerely,

Luke Vander Zouwen, DPT
Full Potential Physical Therapy