Question for the PT's and anyone with experience in weighted vests

windblown
2 Recommendations

I know quite a few people who are adding weighted vests to their osteo walking exercises, and wondered if you recommend these.

Because I've had spinal fx's and continue to have a lot of spinal probs/pain, I was told NOT to use one of these because they cause disc/spinal compression. Because I have constant pain I don't walk more than 20 minutes at a time, and find that when I reach that time mark the pain is worse. I usually walk 10 to 15 minutes and then repeat that 2 more times in a day, if I can stand it, so I wouldn't ever try the vest, but I'm curious about how it would work for others with osteoporosis.

Could you use one of these safely if you don't have any existing back problems, and do they really help to increase the weight bearing aspects of exercise? Do you have an opinion on the spinal compression aspects that I have been warned against?

Several of those I know using them have -3's t scores and use them everytime they walk, would this be a good idea or not?

Thanks for any replies.

48 replies

MotherGoose

Dear Windblown:
These vests are only as heavy as the weights that are put into them. Standing -- and sitting -- already compress your vertebrae. The purpose of the vests is for posture training.
Standing tall while you walk is good way to strengthen your back extensors -- needed to protect your back.
So that is good. Bending forward while you walk is not good. The vest is a good reminder and I have used them with many ladies and they like them. The weights are small and can be added to as one's tolerance increases. That is just common sense. I can appreciate the concern of your doctor, but the vest I used was developed by Dr. Sinaki, a pioneer in osteoporosis, at Mayo Clinic. She knows what she's doing, believe me!
As tp your pain that develops when walking a certain distance/time frame -- this may be more from spinal stenosis than from osteoporosis. It is caused by pressure on the nerve roots as they emerge from the spine to supply the lower extremities. I, myself, have this problem. Yes, sitting down -- or better lying down (no, not in the street) for a few minutes unloads this pressure and you can continue or return home. DO NOT try to persevere through the pain. Remember, pain is a warning. Arching your back makes the spinal stenosis pain worse. Bending forward relieves the spinal stenosis pain BUT is not a good position for osteoporotic vertebrae. Yes, a narrow ridge, indeed.
Lucy Buckley PT

MotherGoose

To Windblown:
Oh, yes, I should have stated that these vests come in sizes like small, medium, and large. They need to be measured by someone who is familiar with them. Preferably a PT or other knowledeable health professional.
Lucy Buckley PT

SaraMeeks

As far as I've been able to find out, the research shows some increase in hip bone density with the use of a weighted vest. I personally use one; however, there are some definite considerations here.
With your symptoms, I would not recommend you use one. My recommendation is that someone should be able to walk 30-45 mins 4X weekly painfree and in good posture before adding any weight to the body.
Have you considered walking poles? They promote a more upright posture, add weight bearing to the arms, and relieve discomfort in the back and legs as they unweight the lower body.
Lucy, it sounded as though you were speaking of Dr. Sinaki's posture support--this is somewhat diffrent from a weighted vest and, again, I wouldn't use it on anyone unable to tolerate the extra weight. In my "book," they must be able to do activities unweighted first and then consider weights. This includes any weight added to the body as well as weight lifting and weight training.

windblown

Dear Lucy and Sara: Thank you for your opinions and advice. I personally don't use a weighted vest, but I know some who do and wondered if they really help. You both have answered that question, thank you...

I have trouble walking because I have several spinal problems that cause pain, and I know that none of this pain is from osteoporosis.

I've had 7 lumbar fusions; the first one was a result of a car accident/frax. The subsequent fusions were repairs from failed unions and hardware falling out of place and the screw going *through* my sciatic.

I have degenerative disc, grad 2 spondy, stenosis, sacroillitis, scoliosis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, anterior herniated discs from C2- C7, and am being watched for anklylosing spondilitis. Yikes, that sounds horrible.

The above explains my pain, and limitations with exercise. I continue to walk and do upper body weight bearing, but have never tried the weighted vest, or lifting any weights above 5#'s.

I went to PT for 6 months for posture training, and neck rehab, but I still have problems with my posture where my shoulders fall forward. I've looked at several kyphosis braces, and wondered if you would recommend something like that for someone with my problems. I don't like to rely on braces, but sometimes I need a little help. The brace I was looking at is at Sammons and Preston, that fits under your clothes for thoracic/shoulder support.

Thanks for all your advice and help...

MotherGoose

Sara:
Tell her about the Spinomed .
Windblown:
Nordic walking -- using long poles as if for cross-country skiing gives all kinds of good exercise. They must be the proper length for you. The long poles help support your body weight and stand you up so as to be in good posture. You can tolerate a much longer period of weight-bearing then with any other type of walking gadget. It gives you a good workout so you get aerobic exercise and help your heart and lungs and brain. It gives weight-bearing to all four exttremities and resistance work as well. all this improves your balance, as well. Oh, yes, it also burns energy so helps with weight loss. It may be worth looking into. Google "nordic walking".
Lucy Buckley PT

windblown

Hi Lucy: I'll definitely look into those poles you and Sara mentioned. When I walk my biggest area of pain is the si joints/lumbar, hip, and knees. I do posture exercises, but I still have problems standing up straight. At some point my surgeon told me that when they did one of my fusions they fused it in a supine position, does that make sense to you? I've never really understood that, but I have a hard time standing up straight.

I do notice when I lean forward, like when you would rest your arms on a low counter top, it releases some of the stenosis pain.

I also have a lot of bone pain, and am hypercalcemic. I 'm having a sestamibi scan even though my PTH is either low or normal. My calcium/vit D has been an issue for a long time, and I don't know if the bone pain I have is coming from that or just arthritis.

I was looking at the brace I mentioned because I find that when I sleep I also wake up with my shoulders hunched up, like I'm gaurding something in my sleep, and this brace looks like you could sleep in it as well.

Thanks for all your help (both of you), I just wish I could walk longer than I can, it really makes it hard getting anything done that requires walking, like shopping etc.

SaraMeeks

Thanks, Lucy, for the comments on walking poles. There are different ones. I like Exerstriders (www.walkingpoles.com) and Leki myself. They do all you said and more.
As for the brace, I'm not sure what you are using, Windblown, but the Spinomed is absolutely the best brace for back strengthening and support that I have had experience with. You can find info on it at www.mediusa.com or contact me privately at sara@sarameekspt.com and I can send you information.
With the problems you are describing, I would suspect you have hip restrictions and weakness that could possibly be alleviated with the right exercise. Tightness in the hip flexors and quadriceps especially contribute to back alignment problems. Again, contact me and I can tell you more and where you might go for an assessment.

idie

I am very interested in getting a brace for back strenghtening. Have asked two PT's in the Washington, D.C.
area and they knew nothing about them, to my surprise. Any
suggestions as to where I can purchase one? I walk 5 miles
a day with Exerstrider poles, which I really enjoy. Now I am
very interested in purchasing this vest that Lucy and Sarah have talked about.

I appreciate all of the information that, especially, Lucy and
Sarah have given us via this blog. Windblown has also been
so great in sharing much information with all of us. Your tips, advice and comments are so very helpful. Idie

windblown

Hi Sara and Lucy: I'm **very** interested in the brace you mentioned. I went to the site, you posted, and couldn't find it, but I did find it at another Mediusa site and the brace I saw that interests me is the Sinpomed III, is that the brace you are referring to? I couldn't find a phone # on the site, so I sent them a request for more info on it, I just hope we are talking about the same brace. If you are talking about another brace could you post the name?

I'm still waiting for a mailed reply from Medi and haven't rec'd it yet.

My biggest concern would be the price, I believe, since no price is listed.

Could you confirm that we *are* talking about the *same* brace?

The only brace I have is what was given to me through the hospital/Dr on my last fusion. I rarely use the brace because it doesn't fit well anymore, and it only gives minimal lumbar support. The brace I used after my last surgery, is made by Camp. Occasionally I'll put it on when I have to do something around the house that causes severe pain (chores). I have a tremendous amount of physical limitations, and like I said I can't walk for more than 15-20 minutes without the pain skyrocketing. Stationary standing is about the same issue where I can only handle 10 minutes, but it always results in increased pain every time.

Lucy, I'm also looking into the poles you mentioned because I really need something that *unloads* the lower back/spine/si joints and hip. When you only have a window of opportunity to complete daily activities in a 15 minute period, needless to say I don't get much done. If I push through the pain and go over the 15 minutes I pay for it with increased pain for days, which I do a lot. My sitting situation is somewhat similar, but I've finally gotten to the point where I can sit for 1 hour, but only if I take breaks with 5 mins of walking and stretching every 20 mins, before I sit back down again. If this brace could reduce 38% of my pain, this would completely change my life to no end. My quality of life is really poor. I've seen dozens of top notch specialists and they all say there is nothing they can do other than implant a intrathecal pain pump, which scares the heck out of me. I've talked to others who say it completely changed their lives and allowed them to actually go back to work-something I dream about-so maybe my fears are unfounded. I was told I would have to seriously consider getting this at some point, but I've never taken it any further.

Thanks again to both of you for your help.

Windblown :)

windblown

Hi Sara: This is a follow up to my previous post several minutes ago. It dawned on me that it might help for you to see the picture of the brace I'm referring to at Medi, so here's the link.

http://www.mediusa.com/orthopedics/mediortho/spinomed.shtml

Is this the brace you are talking about?

Thans again

MotherGoose

Windblown:
As Sara and I have already stated (maybe I was not forceful enough), walking with weighted vests is not for you with your problems and history. "Use [your body], do not abuse it".
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

MotherGoose

Windblown:
Did not see this message until after i had replied to you more recent one from yesterday.
Please do NOT push through pain -- it is telling you something. When you have pain, STOP and maybe -- depending on how you feel -- do something later -- or tomorrow. The Spinomed lll brace could be of help.
You have had a LOT of insults to your back -- you must work within your limitations. Over time, these limitations may expand so you can do more. In the meantime, respect your limits. Pace yourself. Listen to the birds -- as I am enjoying them right now.
Good Luck.

idie

I have also had the question - which vest. The mediusa website
shows the two that Windblown mentioned. Since my exercise consists mostly of walking every day 5 miles, I would like to
do something more for my back to strengthen the muscles.
Lucy and Sara, would you have more info on which one?
I am 5 foot and 3 inches, weigh about 114 pounds. The poles
that I am now walking with are great, but I would love to add
this vest. I would appreciate your input. Thank you so much.
Idie

windblown

Hi Lucy: Thanks for the info on the spinomed brace. I think our messages are getting mixed up (idie and me) maybe. I'm NOT interested in a weighted vest but idie is. Sorry for the caps...

The only thing I was interested in was the spinomed III brace, but I haven't received the info yet from the company.

I'll watch my pain levels and not do things that make it worse, but that's going to be hard. My husband is also disabled and he can't drive, so I have to do most everything, which is why I have so much pain.

windblown

Hi idie: I started this thread for some friends who were using the weighted vest, because they wanted to know if it would help with weight bearing exercises. I do not use a weighted vest nor would I because of my spinal problems.

I'm interested in the spinal brace that Sara and Lucy mentioned which is *totally* different than the weighted vest. Maybe you could google weighted vests and see which seem the best.

Hopefully some one will come along and let you know which weighted vest is best, since I haven't got a clue on that.

MotherGoose

Hi to All!
At this point, I am getting slightly confused about who is who. That's OK -- that's Life!
First of all; A brace is a brace and helps hold the part in proper position whether a back or a foot or a hand, elbow, whatever. It is to PROTECT -- mainly.
Then a weighted vest is a vest with weights. It is intended to add weight to your physical activity routine. It is not intended/ advisable for those that need protection.
The Spinomed lll (and Sara is the expert here) is a brace that allows you to use your postural muscles more effectively, hence adding strength to them. It is not in the category of weighted vests, but is a brace that is more than just protection.
Some of you might benefit from such a brace. Some of you do not need it -- at least presently.
I am sorry that the website is not forthcoming. Success comes with its own set of problems --- right?
As to research about weighted vests, I recall that a woman orthopedist in Oregon (named Snow, maybe?) did work on this for building hip muscle strength a few years back. You might do a search on PubMed or some such place.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

idie

Hi Windblown,
Thanks for clearing up who is looking for the brace and who is looking for the weighted vest. I jumped into your discussion and probably caused the confusion, sorry. I have checked out the web for weighted vests and am overwhelmed by the many choices. Have no clue what would be good for me and what not. Talked to 2 PT's and they are not familiar with this topic either. Since MotherGoose is using one, I was hoping she would share with us which one. Perhaps Lucy has some info on which weighted vest would be best. I certainly would love to try wearing one - anything that would possibly help increase bone density! Thanks! Idie

Hope you have success in getting the spinal brace

SaraMeeks

Whew! What a discussion!
As for weighted vests (distinct from a brace) I like the WalkVest. It is stylish, comes in sizes, the weights go aorund the center of the body. It is the one used in the research study that showed some benefit to the hip mostly. My basic guideline is that a person be able to maintain trunk upright integrity before adding any weight externally. The weighted vest definitely increases the cardiac workout.
As for braces, in my estimation, the Spinomed III is the "single most significant advancement in the conservative management of osteoporosis and compression fracture EVER." It actually strengthens the body part it is designed to protect--the back. Plus there are other very positive effects from wearing the Spinomed.
The Spinomed III is covered by Medicare, ordered by a doctor, fit by an orthotist and/or a P.T., and then needs some adjustment as the person improves with the brace.

windblown

Hi Sara: Thanks for the info on the brace... You've answered just about every question I have.

Is a Drs order needed-Yes;
Who does the fitting-Pt or Orthotist;
Will insurances pay for it-yes;

The only question I have now, is this brace just for people with thoracic frax's? My posture isn't great with the rounding forward problem I have in the thoracic spine, plus I have cervical problems as well, so would this work for me? I have a orthotist, I can use or a PT for fitting, I just have to talk to my dr about ordering it. As far as I know I don't have any current frax's, but I have constant pain in the cervical spine, lumbar, si joints, rt hip, and sciatica in my rt leg, plus rt knee pain when I bend it.

I want to use this brace for protection of my spine, and strengthening.

Thanks for your info.

idie

Hi Sara,
thanks for clarifying the issue of brace and weighted vest.
Your info is very helpful. I will check out the "WalkVest".

Hi Windblown, I am sorry you have to live with so much pain.
I am sure you have tried just about everything - including
acupuncture to alleviate some of it. I hope that this brace
will give you some support and help ease the pain. Good luck!
Idie

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