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Is brisk walking safe?

By stirkrazymoe
Posted June 5, 2009 at 1:27 pm · 41 replies
In Exercise
Shared with the public

I have a few thoracic compression fractures and I have shrunk 2" in the past year. Apparently all the things I thought I was doing to strengthen my back was crushing it! I am seeing a specialist in about 6 weeks, but in the mean time, is it okay to do brisk walking as an exercise? It seems that most forms of exercise are bad for me. I am in quite a bit of pain as the fractures have been in the past two months. I have always been active, but I had to quit my job due to pain. I will go nuts (I'm 61) if I have to sit around much!!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Autoimmune diseases Falls Back pain Forteo Fractures Meditation Fosamax Reclast Osteopenia Actonel Pain Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Stress

41 replies

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Newest first

By hummingbird36
Posted July 23, 2009 at 7:15 pm
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Hi ValerieEvelyn
I have severe osteo and still use my mini trampoline sometimes. I more or less dance using slow graceful motions on it, no high jumps or twists or bends. I use hand weights also while on the trampoline. It feels good.
I have not heard any professional advice on this and would be interested in some guidance too. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Hummingbird36

By stirkrazymoe
Posted July 22, 2009 at 2:02 pm
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I agree. I have begun to do my walks again, but I am doing it slowly, and gradually increasing my pace and distance and making sure I don't feel any pain!! I am also doing exercises by Sara Meeks to increase my back, hip and core strength every day.

By Oakside
Posted July 22, 2009 at 1:03 pm
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After my last spinal fracture brisk walking was too painful but 'strolling' along was ok, I can now (a year later) walk much more briskly without pain. However, due to that experience I suggest that you may be wise to walk more slowly than you would prefer, with shorter strides.

By bonebuilder
Posted July 21, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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Thanks! The back pack is uncomfortable but doable. I wear it around the house as it is way too hot to go outside in Phoenix in the summer!

By thebonz
Posted July 21, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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Bonebuilder, My physical therapist recommended my wearing a back pack with a ten lb weight inside when I am on the treadmill. She also recommended an exercise wearing the back pack and ten lb weight. You lie flat on the floor on your stomach and lift up with your head and chest as high as is comfortable. I am going to increase my weight to 15 lbs and see how that goes on the treadmill. I hope it helps some. I have been on actonel for 6 years with worsening bone density in my spine and hip and am going to try a reclast injection next even though I'm scared to death of the side effects, I don't feel I have any other choice.

By owendale
Posted July 21, 2009 at 12:29 am
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Further to this inquiry to the group I wrote the Rebounder Company. I had mentioned that I have a bad ankle and knee thus their response re: that. The following is their response:
Hi Bev,
This is the answer I received from my supplier when I asked your question.

Circulation by way of gentle bouncing will help the ankle and knees. I would not recommend any high bouncing. The bar that moves with the Resistance System will assist in stability of the spine. The gentle bounce is an excellent tool for rehabilitation. The overhead resistance system makes it possible for people of any ability. It also applies a gentle stress on the cells, which will strengthen them, addressing the osteoporosis condition.

I hope this is helpful let me know if I can help any further.

Terry Slaunwhite
T S Marketing
Tel. 1.780.460.2914
Email: tandcmarketing@shaw.ca

By sdivas
Posted July 20, 2009 at 7:19 pm
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Owendale, welcome to the community. You may want to read the Privacy & Security post which is in the Help Topics. (check sidebar) Bumping Up a previous discussion places the discussion on the front page. Please check the Discussions on the Home page for Curves. You should see a Discussion - Curves - Rowing? There are replies regarding Curves that may answer your questions. If you need any more help on the community, please ask. Sandi

By owendale
Posted July 20, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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Thanks Sandi but I am not sure what you meant by you "bumped up" or where to find the discussion on Curves. I haven't learned how to navigate my way around this site yet.

By sdivas
Posted July 20, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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Owendale, I bumped up the previous discussion on Curves for your information. Sandi

By owendale
Posted July 20, 2009 at 1:53 pm
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I am also interested in information on using a rebounder to walk or jog on when you have osteoporosis in your spine and hips. Is a rebounder a good form of exercise for osteoporosis.

Sorry I prematurely asked the question about Curves. Now I have read these posts I think it may not be a good solution.

By owendale
Posted July 20, 2009 at 1:40 pm
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I was considering going to Curves. Did you find that may have been not a good thing to do for your spine? I have osteoporosis in my spine and hips. It is so hard to know which exercise is the right thing to do as I don't want to compound the problem.

By Spunky
Posted June 24, 2009 at 9:38 pm
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Hi really,

After I started doing balancing exercises, I stopped falling.

By sdivas
Posted June 13, 2009 at 11:42 pm
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Wagmore, please use Search at www.nof.org for information on kyphoplasty.

By wagmore
Posted June 13, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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I have had two compression fractures of the vertebrae, one 4th lumbar and one 9th thoracic. Both were surgically treated, the lumbar with kyphoplasty and the thoracic with verteoplasty. The kyphoplasty significantly reduced the pain. I have not read of this procedure at NOF but it does seem to be accepted practice, tho somewhat new. Also I would like to get a DXA of the thoracic vertebrae but am told it cannot be done. Please contact me if you have had a DXA of the thoracic region.

By osteochick
Posted June 13, 2009 at 11:54 am
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Can you tell us about the detox program you employ?

By SequoiaHealth
Posted June 13, 2009 at 9:57 am
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Hi Sue:
Your immune system responds to stress. Constant stress speeds it up making it hypersensitive. The program we use focuses on reducing stress though visualization and meditation. Your responses are learned to stressful situations. You can learn different ones. We also try to reduce the chemical load by using a good detox program. These both help to balance the immune system.

Woody McMahon
NOVA Osteoporosis Support Group Leader

By betterbones
Posted June 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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RE .REDUCING INFLAMMATION; I researched an anti-inflammation diet - (way of eating_ - it really works for me - I am off pain meds completely for more than a year now. Everyone responds differently - but I did it 'whole hog' at first than added a few foods back into my system - the results were immediate (if my system didn't like the foods). It's not crazy or a fad - think about it - imflammation causes many problems in the body - there are foods (such as vinegar, citrus, eggs and more) that are problematic if your system is not healthy in some way. I suggest all google info on this. It helped me big time.
Better bones

By bonebuilder
Posted June 11, 2009 at 11:41 am
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thanks for the info about the backpack. That is very helpful! I'll keep you posted.

By karenatheklineback
Posted June 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm
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Ditto. I've seen a lot of injuries from Curves.

By karenatheklineback
Posted June 10, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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I have heard of the weighted back pack. It is generally recommended for back pain. The weight tends to make the spine extensor muscles work a little harder and therefore become stronger. I have not heard of gradually increasing the weight to 20 or so pounds. When you put on the back back, the weight should ride low. It contradicts what we were told when we carried our kids on our backs. Remember how high those carriers sat? This has a different purpose so the weight should be at the top of your hips. Not mid to upper back. Good luck and let me know how it goes. Karena

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