Restoring Strength. Rebuilding confidence.

Osteoporosis only affects elderly women.

Myth. While postmenopausal women are at highest risk, osteoporosis affects men and younger adults too — especially those with certain medical conditions or medications.

If you haven't broken a bone, your bones are probably fine.

Myth. Osteoporosis is a silent disease — most people have no symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health.

Fact. Adequate calcium and vitamin D are essential building blocks for bone. However, supplements alone are not a substitute for a full bone health evaluation. There are different kinds and amounts of Vitamin D and calcium out there — it is not a one size fits all. Come in to talk with Kristen to be sure you are getting adequate supplementation and to discuss your diet.

Once you have osteoporosis, there is nothing you can do.

Myth. Osteoporosis is treatable. Medications, nutrition, exercise, and fall prevention strategies can all reduce fracture risk and improve bone density over time.

Exercise can help protect your bones.

Fact. Resistance training and impact exercises stimulate bone formation and help to maintain and sometimes improve your bone density when done in combination with diet and supplementation and pharmacologics if necessary. At BRWC, we partner with a bone-conscious certified personal trainer to help guide you on this journey.

A normal DEXA scan means you don't have osteoporosis.

Myth. A DEXA scan measures bone density, but bone quality, fracture history, and other risk factors also matter. A full evaluation with Kristen gives you the complete picture.

I heard Strontium will improve my bone density.

Myth. Strontium can increase your T score on a DEXA report but it does not actually improve it — it is more dense than calcium and can make your bones appear more dense than they are, artificially elevating your bone density. This leaves you at an even higher risk of fracture.

I heard that weighted vests and vibration plates will help my bones.

Myth. The amount of weight needed to actually improve bone density and the correct distribution of that weight is far greater than what a vest offers — they often worsen your balance and can actually cause you harm. Vibration plates, while the thought of impact exercise without having to actually perform it is enticing, just end up costing you thousands and do nothing for your bone density.

I only broke a bone because I fell very hard on a very hard surface.

Myth. Most falls from a ground-level height that cause a broken bone — regardless of the type of surface fallen upon — are actually an insufficiency fracture and require a full evaluation for osteoporosis.