Bone and Joint Health Action Week

Bone and joint health national action week takes place on October 12 to the 20th each year. It centers around discussions and actions on preventing and treating arthritis, back pain, trauma, pediatric conditions affecting bones, and osteoporosis

The Bone and Joint Health National Action Week is cosponsored by the US Bone and Joint Initiative and the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health. Their goal is to improve the prevention of bone and joint problems and to increase awareness of treatment options, resources, and research.

Millions of baby boomers born between 1945 and 1964 are entering the ranks of retired workers and signing up for Medicare. They are simultaneously the most active and at-risk older population. They are entering our offices with a multitude of bone and joint pain complaints.

As an Osteopathic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician, I instruct my patients on the critical need to care for their joints and bones. It is a multipronged approach that includes good weight maintenance, good diet and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as gentle range of motion and strengthening exercises to maintain strength and balance and prevent falls. My favorite exercises for joint and bone health remain yoga and tai chi.

Before I close, I would like to give kudos to the American Osteopathic Association for having our backs the last couple weeks. After it was discovered that the President’s physician was a DO, there were some unfortunate mischaracterizations of Osteopathic Physicians on media outlets such as CNN and the Rachel Maddow show. DOs are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs, and can practice in any specially including infectious disease. Although we are educated to take a more holistic approach to treating the patient, the length of time Osteopathic Association‘s, DOs train and the content included is equivalent to Allopathic Physicians, MDs. #@AOAforDOs

Stay well!