NEWS

It’s a silent threat that can creep up over time. It may not be obvious, presenting as persistent back pain, a loss of height, stooped posture or a bone fracture from a bump or fall.

Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak or brittle, can make the act of daily living a gauntlet of bending, twists, turns and stumbles that bring the threat of fractures. The disease affects men and women of all ages and races, but is most prevalent in older women who are past the age of menopause.

But Osteoporosis doesn’t have to mean the end of an active and fulfilling life. Tidewater Physical Therapy and Performance Center is hosting a Lunch and Learn seminar on May 17 to offer insight into treatment, prevention and exercise tips to keep patients living with Osteoporosis healthy and injury free.GLO 0058C Lunch-n-LearnDrHaggerty_FBEventCover

The hour-long event will feature Osteoporosis treatment and risk prevention tips from Dr. Ronald Haggerty from Direct Access Internal Medicine and fall prevention information from Physical Therapist Natalie Conway, PT, MPT, OCS. Performance coaches Cam McKay will present strength-training techniques for all stages of life.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 54 million adults in the United States age 50 and older are affected by Osteoporosis and low bone mass. And that number is expected to grow over the next decade as the population ages.

Although bone mass naturally declines as we age, how likely a person is to develop Osteoporosis depends on how much bone mass he or she attained in their youth. The more bone mass someone had as a young adult, the less likely he or she is to get the condition as they age. Other factors such as diet and exercise can also play a role.

But just because someone has Osteoporosis, doesn’t mean they’re facing a life of fractures and pain. There’s a lot that can be done to reduce or reverse the disease’s impact.

“Osteoporosis doesn’t mean the end of doing the things you love,” Conway said. “There are a lot of exercises, stretches and movement techniques that can help reduce the risks and impacts of the disease so you can get back to your life, whether that’s running, gardening or playing with your grandchildren.”

The Osteoporosis Lunch and Learn will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on May 17 at Tidewater Physical Therapy and Performance Center at 6970 Fox Hunt Lane in Gloucester. For more information call 804-694-8111.

About Tidewater Physical Therapy:

Founded in 1986, Tidewater Physical Therapy remains a physical therapist-owned, independent, outpatient physical therapy practice, with more than 30 clinics, aquatic therapy centers and Performance Centers located throughout Southeast and Central Virginia.

Many of the physical therapists at Tidewater Physical Therapy Inc. hold Direct Access Certification through the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy allowing them to evaluate and treat patients without a prescription. As part of a healthcare team, a physical therapist will make an assessment of a patient’s condition and create a plan to start on the road to wellness. The Tidewater Physical Therapy team will communicate with a patient’s physician or dentist of record and obtain a referral, if necessary, for continued treatment. Tidewater Physical Therapy will also work with insurance carriers to make sure services are covered by a patient’s plan.

For more information about Tidewater Physical Therapy, visit http://www.tpti.com. Learn more about the Tidewater Performance Centers at http://www.tidewaterperform.com.