How to Use Water Aerobics to Treat Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease characterized by low bone mass that can easily lead to fractures or breaks, particularly in the hip, wrist and spine. Regular exercise is essential to prevent osteoporosis, as well as to reduce symptoms and vulnerability of injury for those who are already have it. The use of water aerobics to treat osteoporosis is gaining widespread popularity among patients and the medical community. Follow these steps to learn more about how to use water aerobics to treat osteoporosis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Medical approval
• Enrollment in a water aerobics class

Discover How to Use Water Aerobics to Treat Osteoporosis

1. Ask your doctor to recommend a water aerobics program in your area that may help to relieve symptoms and risks of osteoporosis. If your physician is affiliated with a hospital or medical center, there may be such a program operating on site.
2. Call or visit your local gym or YMCA to find out if they offer water aerobics classes.
3. Try to find a program where the instructor is certified in instructing water aerobics as a form of rehabilitation therapy to osteoporosis patients specifically or those with other conditions, such soft tissue injuries.
4. Know that participating in weight bearing exercises has the demonstrated benefit of helping to increase bone density. So, using weights with water aerobics, such as water belts, hand or ankle weights, is one way to help treat osteoporosis.
5. Practice fluid movements during your water aerobics routine, such as gentle stretching and low impact resistance training offered by yoga or Pilates exercises. Using water aerobics to treat osteoporosis in this manner will help to improve coordination and flexibility.
6. Use common sense. Avoid rapid movements or those that require you to bounce, bend or twist in a forceful manner. These kinds of movements can increase compression of the spine and joints of the hips and knees and increase the risk of a fracture when osteoporosis is present.

Tips & Warnings

• Warm up before engaging in water aerobics with gentle stretching of the arms, legs, lower back and neck.
• To get the most benefit from your water aerobics sessions, you should be exercising in water that is at least waist high and chest level at most.
• Consult with your physician before joining a water aerobics class to treat osteoporosis. You may need to have a bone density test to get the go-ahead, or begin another course of treatment.
• While water aerobics is an excellent form of exercise to help prevent and treat osteoporosis, it is not a substitute for medical intervention, such as medications your doctor may subscribe.

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