Osteoporosis, a condition of the 50+ population is the most common bone disease and is characterized by weakening of bone tissue, bone structure & strength and may lead to increased risk of fractures. Low bone mass (osteopenia) increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. Diseases, conditions, medical procedures & medicines that contribute to bone loss may be reviewed on the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation website.
While Osteoporosis affects millions of people worldwide, it often goes unnoticed until a fall or fracture occurs (1.5 million annually in the US). In fact, over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime, and these injuries can have life-altering consequences, reducing quality of life, independence, and mobility. 70% of hip fractures in an older individual end in loss of independence (e.g nursing home admission) or death.
Working in the Acute Care hospital environment in the Portland Metro area, not a shift passes without my treating a patient for whom life has been turned upside down by a fall-related fracture. Often, low bone density is a contributing factor, coupled with declining strength and balance.
Bone building relies on many different factors including diet, vitamin D, medications and bone loading. As a Physical Therapist, my focus is on the how we may influence bone strength and improve balance through exercise. Our traditional approach has tended to avoid heavy weight-lifting and impact for those with fragile bones to decrease the risk of fractures. However, through her research Dr. Belinda Beck found that the only way to make significant changes in bone mass & structure was through adequate load and impact leading to the formulation of ONERO™.
Although aware of the LIFTMOR study, my first exposure to ONERO™ was through Peter Attia MD’s interview with Dr. Beck after which I contacted her to discuss bringing the program to Portland. Having completed her Masters and Doctorate at the University of Oregon, she was excited to have an outpost for the program in the state with Bonefide. Let’s get to work.
Paul , PT
Paul Columb, PT
Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
After graduating from the University of East London School of Physiotherapy in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked in the UK’s NHS, Home Health and Long Term Care environments in the Mid-West, and co-owned an Orthopedic PT clinic in rural Alaska for over a decade. I am currently working in Acute Care for Kaiser Westside Medical Center.
