Healthy Bones Class – A Look Inside the Class
What is Healthy Bones Class?
We aim to help treat Osteoporosis sufferers. Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the density and strength of your bones, increasing the risk of fracture. There are no symptoms of Osteoporosis so often it is not diagnosed until after a fracture. There are a number of risk factors for developing Osteoporosis, some of them we can’t change; such as our age, previous fractures or thyroid activity. Thankfully, there are risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and proper diet that we can take control of.
Here at PhysioCare, we have designed a class to help people with Osteoporosis. This exercise based class is designed to get people strong and reduce their risk of falling while promoting healthy bone activity. Throughout the class, we will be working on your muscle strength, your movement and your balance. All areas of the body will be worked on; from your shoulders, to your hips, to your ankles. It is an eight week program which will also improve your cardiovascular fitness, giving you more energy. The class will take place weekly here in our spacious PhysioGym in Rathfarnham, led by our Chartered Physiotherapists who will guide you through the program while also providing you with advice and tips for you to do when at home.
What do I need for the class?
You do not need a referral from your doctor to participate in this class, however on your first day we will ask you to complete a questionnaire regarding your health and any medication that you are taking at the time. If you have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis and have had a DEXA scan, we will ask for you to bring the results with you on the first day of the Osteoporosis class. If you have not been diagnosed with Osteoporosis or you have not had a fall in the past year you can still attend the class. If you are currently being seen by one of our Chartered Physiotherapists here at PhysioCare, they may recommend this class for you. But if you are not a previous patient here at PhysioCare and the you can of course still participate in the Healthy Bones class.
What is the format of the classes?
The classes will be one hour per week for eight weeks in total. As they are exercise classes, it is advised that you wear comfortable clothes, ideally tracksuits, with comfortable runners that have good grip. We would also advise you bring a bottle of water with you. Most of the exercise equipment needed for the class is available in the PhysioGyms. However exercises requiring resistance bands will require you to have your own, which we have for sale at the reception desk.