Bone Density and Exercise: What’s the Connection?

Hi PJ:  I just wanted to tell you that I've loved your series on weight bearing exercises!  I'm one of those who has many physical limitations and can't just follow the current advice from all corners of the osteo world.  I've always believed that we have to do the best we can with what we are given and if that means doing some exercises that aren't classified as weight bearing so be it, or, like you said we'll just stop altogether, which is the worst thing you can do. 

Hopefully we all know what we can and can't do with regard to exercise, so if you can compile a wide variety of exercises that won't hurt you more and will help, then I say go for it.  Dr.'s know a lot, but they don't know more about my body than I do, so I'm able to incorporate the things I *can* and like to do, and then add the weight bearing stuff that doesn't make my pain worse.  I've come to believe that nothing is written in stone with all of this, so apply the things you can do and that will help without hurting.

As long as you use common sense and constantly factor in your particular limitations, you should be able to come up with a routine that works for you, with your Dr.'s ok.  Common sense, a grain of salt, and critical thinking can be used to evaluate all of these recommendations, and will go a long way to finding what's right for you, and who wants to cut off their nose to spite their face, just to try and follow a routine you can't do.  Great Blog-keep them coming...

Great blog, PJ. For more, here's a nice primer on how bone density changes, from Harvard Health Publications, called Exercise and Bone Density.