Videos

The following are in my personal collection of videos related to osteoporosis. The videos are different levels. Please check with your health professional before starting an exercise program. Please add to list.
BeBoneWise Exercise - Lisa Hoffman (nof.org)
Skeletal Fitness - Mirabal Holland (amazon.com)
Take Control With Exercise - (arthritis.org)
Yoga For Scoliosis - Elise Miller (amazon.com)
It's Never To Late - Rene Burton (reneburton.com)
Bones For Life - Ruthy Alon (bonesforlife.com)
Therapilates Presents Pilates Exercises for Osteoporosis (Sheri Betz) - (therapilates.com)
Winsor Pilates - The Back Workout - (amazon.com)
Sit and Be Fit Osteoporosis Workout - Mary Ann Wilson (collage.com)
GeriFit - Francesa Gem (gerifit.com)
Healing Yoga For Aches and Pains - (amazon.com)
Osteoporosis Pilates Audio CD - (personalizingpilates.com)
Bone Juvenate - Estelle Underwood (amazon.com)
Yoga For the Rest Of Us - Peggy Cappy (amazon.com)
Pilates Exercise For Osteoporosis - (amazon.com)
TaiChi For Osteoporosis - (amazon.com)
Pilates For Seniors - The Osteoporosis Workout - (amazon.com)
Walk & Firm For Older Adults - Leslie Sansone (amazon.com)
Safe and Fit - Cindy Kozacek (collagevideo.com)
Safe and Strong - Cindy Kozacek (collagevideo.com)
Strong Bones Yoga - Christine Dormaier - (amazon.com)
Pilates For Over 50's - (realpeoplepilates.co.uk)
Education by Sara Meeks:
Video 1 - Patient Education
Video 2 - Basic Exercises
Video 3 - Body Alignment, Balance, Gait
(sarameekspt.com)

By sdivas
Posted April 19, 2008 at 1:36 pm
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Josie, you are very welcome. I am happy that any information pertaining to exercise will be in one place now. I always suggest to check at the library. I usually request a book or video if the library has in their system which gives me a chance to see if the book/video is right for me before I purchase. Sandi

By SaraMeeks
Posted April 27, 2008 at 9:01 am
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This list includes videos that would be totally unsafe and would be questionably helpful for osteoporosis. I have reviewed many books and videos on osteoporosis and many of them include forward bending, side bending and twisting of the spine that would be unsafe and a great potential for injury (fracture) in the spine.
It appears that people have discovered that exercise is good for osteoporosis, therefore, no matter what you do, it is ok. This is definitely not a good message and people need to be very careful to do safe exercise. SAFE may sound boring to some but there's nothing boring about a compression fracture that results from unsafe exercise.
It would be wise to have any video or book you use for osteoporosis exercise reviewed by a physical therapist who has been trained and/or is skilled and knowledgeable in osteoporosis management. If you ask any physical therapist if they work with osteoporosis, they will most likely say "yes,' however, it doesn't mean that they know what they are doing nor does it mean they have a program for osteoporosis.
One needs to be very alert and careful when looking for exercise information for osteoporosis.

By sdivas
Posted April 27, 2008 at 11:10 am
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Sara, thank you for the very good advice. Please note I do suggest checking with a health professional before starting an exercise program. The books/videos are all in my personal collection. I'm not advising any community member to use the books/videos. Unfortunately, many people do not have access with fitness professionals that have knowledge of bone loss and safe exercise. In many states, working with a PT is only with a doctor's referral, and many doctors will not give such referrals. So what are we to do? When I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in -3 range for both hips and spine, the doctor suggested I wait 1 yr to make any medication decision. Exercise and take calcium is what I was told. Nothing more. The first few years, I made so many mistakes with exercise; joining various gyms; keeping up with the class and instructor. It took me 2 yrs before I found on my own an osteoporosis support and exercise program with a PT that had the knowledge and focused on osteoporosis. It was determination that found the osteoporosis exercise group because it was not in my area. None of the hospitals in my area had any community based osteoporosis group. At that time, I wasn't aware of NOF. I wasn't aware of any osteoporosis online groups. I was on my own. In hindsight, with my scores, I was very fortunate that I didn't fracture because I was definitely making unsafe moves in the gym exercise classes. I think many people feel they are on their own. Nothing can take the place of having a professional in person with knowledge of bone loss. How lucky all of us would be to have a Sara Meeks available to work with each of in person. You're the gold standard. I feel we are fortunate that you are taking the time to post and share your views, but with the thought that professionals with knowledge of bone loss may not be readily available to all community members; not to mention the cost of working with fitness professionals that have knowledge of bone loss, the only available recourse are books and videos. By the time some of the books are read, most people will have a fairly good idea of what NOT to do and can skip over any exercise that is known to be unsafe for bone loss. I understand and appreciate your concern, Sara, as I want to remain fracture free. I'm fortunate to be able to work with a Yoga therapist and Pilates therapist that have bone loss, but what about those people that don't have access or finances to afford to work with a professional that has knowledge of bone loss. I usually suggest that people request the book/video at the library. I've had some complaints from people that cannot afford the price of the videos and some of the books. Without books/videos, what would be available to the greater majority of people with osteopenia/osteoporosis? Sandi

By SaraMeeks
Posted April 28, 2008 at 7:39 am
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I hear the pain and frustration in your reply. You (and others like you) are one of the reasons I continue to teach as fast as I can so that more medical professionals get the word on safe movement. I also have a book and DVD that have good information--they are not too expensive (and sometimes the book can be had through Amazon at a used-book rate) and have a wealth of information on them.
I also do phone consults and, with the consult, comes a list of trained therapists in a person's area. I invite people to contact me privately so that we can discuss the situation via email and I can possibly help them by steering them in the right direction.
There is such a need for more information out there regarding management of osteoporosis.

By SaraMeeks
Posted April 28, 2008 at 7:43 am
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P.S. I applaud your efforts at sharing the information you have so that you can help others. I haven't seen all the information you have posted and so can't make comments on all of them; however, I am familiar with some of them and could make comments if you'd like to contact me privately at www.sarameekspt.com.

By SaraMeeks
Posted May 14, 2008 at 6:51 am
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Personally, I would like to see a committee set up by NOF to review books and videos for people. Many on the lists I've seen are dangerous and are made with the idea that whatever you do it is safe and even possibly therapeutic.
This committee should be made up of health professionals with special skills in osteoporosis management and could include physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, as well as exercise professionals. There should be some screening of the screeners to make sure they understand the risks and benefits of certain exercises.
Just a thought.

By sdivas
Posted May 14, 2008 at 5:39 pm
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Hello Sara, I'll share your thoughts with NOF. I'm not sure that NOF has the staff available for such a job that seems a little overwhelming with all the videos on osteoprosis that are available. But how could such an endeavor be accomplished with people with this disease having various physical abilities? Without a physical evaluation, it seems it would be difficult having such a screening of all the osteoporosis videos. For example, many of the osteoporosis videos in my personal collection are slow for me. I respect the basics No's that should be followed, but had I only used some of the videos, I doubt that I would be as strong and flexible as I have become in years since my diagnosis. Are you aware of any of the videos on my list that you feel are dangerous? Thanks. Sandi

By TootziePop
Posted May 25, 2008 at 7:05 pm
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I find all this talk about excersise interesting. I have been diagnosed with sevee Osteoporosis. I was a dancer all my life and continue very vigorous excersise. I have never had a problem. My t scores are like -5 something which they claim is like an 85 yr old. my Dr was amazed that I am as flexible as I am . She never mentioned watching what I do. I am beginning to wonder about this disease and if they really know what they are talking about?

By sdivas
Posted May 27, 2008 at 10:58 am
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Hello, as I also come from a dance frame of mind, may I ask what you mean by vigourous exercise. I'm not sure that being flexible makes any difference with having scores in the -5 range. Do you know the individual scores of your spine? What about your hip score? I'm 61, fracture free with scores in -3 range. Unfortunately, doctors often do not advise patients about safe and unsafe exercise. I was only told to exercise and take calcium. No other suggestions were given. Over 10 yrs ago, I was on my own trying to find my way. I was lucky that all the errors I made with various exercise programs did not result in fracture. Have you considered requesting a referral, working with a PT that can go over your exercise program and make any necessary changes or alternatives?

By TootziePop
Posted May 27, 2008 at 12:04 pm
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I mean that I do everything that I did 20 yrs ago. I exercises a lot. My doctor was shocked when she saw how flexable I am. I will not let them tell me what I can and cannot do. That is a chance that I wish to take. I dont' have thousands of dollars sitting around for these Dr.'s. I personally did not get specific readings for the spine and hip. In fact they have told me nothing. Right now I am very angry with the medical profession and I wish to do this naturally. Thanks to this site I have learned that I need Vitamin d and calcium. These Dr's never told me that. I do intend on getting copies of my test so I can see what is going on since no one will tell me anything.

By sdivas
Posted May 27, 2008 at 12:17 pm
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Hello, I agree that no one should have control of your life. However, if you are reading any of the posts, it stands to reason that as an intelligent person you would want to continue doing your activities, but perhaps with some alternatives that would be safer for your bones. I have personally witnessed people in pain with fractures. Believe me, it is not an experience I want to have or that I want anyone else to have, if there is anyway to avoid. Anger can be a good motivation. You have the right to a copy of your dexa report; or any medical records, for that matter. When you have the reports, you will have a better idea of where you stand. I don't think it's ever a good idea only taking the word of the doctor. When you have the reports in front of you, you'll be better able to receive advice from community members which include physical therapists, fitness instructors and other health professionals. Meanwhile, this is only a suggestion: please don't twist or bend forward (touching toes).

By TootziePop
Posted May 27, 2008 at 1:12 pm
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Gee I touch the floor--lol I am very flexible. Honest I do it daily. I will get copies of my reports, but I have already decided to take the chance naturally. I will not have the reclast as I feel it is too new. Maybe in a yr or two when it is better proven I will feel differently. I also do not have 2100 to spend on it every yr. It also bothers me that it is not permanent solution. Thanks for you input!

By sdivas
Posted May 27, 2008 at 5:00 pm
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Decisions regarding medications are a personal choice which may always be revisited at a later date. I am going to suggest that you subject Physical Therapists and perhaps go over your exercise program with a PT or fitness professional on the community. By touching your toes, with a -5 range, you may be placing strain on your thoracic spine. I have a very full exercise program which includes Pilates reformer and Yoga. I don't feel I live an osteoporosis life; in other words, I don't live my life as though I have a disease .... but I also know the risks. If hinging from the hip or flat back is safer than touching my toes, I'm definitely going with the alternatives. It doesn't make me any less flexible. Touching toes without a strong core; rounding the spine, in my opinion, is taking a risk with a -5 range. But I'm not a professional. I'm sure you will get some good advice from the health professionals on the community.

By Maggie_Sam
Posted June 12, 2008 at 11:56 am
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Hello sdivas,
How, where would I get a copy of, "Bonewise Exercise"? Does NOF have a site library of DVDs that can be ordered? If so, do you have the name of that site?
Thank you, MaggieSam

By sdivas
Posted June 12, 2008 at 4:05 pm
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Hi, please check www.nof.org Place dvd in search.. not the name of the dvd .... just letters dvd. The link for ordering BeBoneWise will come up. If you have any problems, please let me know. Sandi

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