How We Treat Osteoporosis and Musculoskeletal Disorders

We have great success in preventing and reversing osteoporosis. Most women and many men are at risk for osteoporotic bone fractures as they get older. Osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, occurs with the hormonal deficiency of menopause, lack of exercise, weight loss , cigarette smoking, alcohol use, steroid therapy, high protein diets and vitamin D deficiency. Certain medications increase bone loss, including cortisone-like drugs and antidepressants. Osteoporosis is more common in tall, light-complexioned women. Fractures occur most often in the hip or lower back, can be very painful and cause permanent loss of mobility. In older people, hip fractures often lead to mortality.

A DXA bone density study is the easiest and most accurate way to evaluate for osteoporosis. The test is performed in our office, takes only minutes and involves negligible x-ray exposure, approximately 100 times less than a chest x-ray. The test should be performed in any woman approaching menopause, since menopause is the time of greatest bone loss. We routinely test for vitamin D levels, since the majority of men and women are deficient.

Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis includes:
1.Calcium and magnesium supplementation
2.Vitamin D supplementation
3.Strontium supplementation
4.Vitamin K supplementation
5.Hormone replacement therapy to include natural estrogen and testosterone, DHEA and occasionally growth hormone. Hormone pellets have shown the greatest protection for patients at risk for osteoporosis, or those who have it.
6.Weight-bearing exercise , at least 30 minutes every day
7.Drinking green tea, or supplementing with green tea extract.
8.Prescription pharmaceuticals when osteoporosis is severe, when the above measures cannot be employed, or when bone density declines despite these therapies. It is unusual for pharmaceuticals to be needed when intervention occurs early.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints causing deformity, bonespurs, pain and limitation of joint mobility. Conventional treatment includes aspirin, Tylenol, and most often non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Naprosyn. NSAIDs cause a variety of serious problems, including liver and kidney damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, fluid retention, high blood pressure and heart failure. Cortisone injections are often employed, with temporary benefit. Eventually joint replacement surgery, generally of the hip or knee, is recommended.

We have found osteoarthritis to respond to dietary restrictions, especially of sugar, wheat and dairy products. An anti-inflammatory diet comprised of fruits, vegetables, and fish, is helpful. Sometimes eliminating the nightshade vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant, is helpful.

Nutritional supplements for arthritis include:

1.fish oil
2.greens- extracts of sprouted grains, algae, fruits and green vegetables
3. herbs such as quercetin, curcumin and bromelain.
4.MSM- methyl sulfonyl methane

Acupuncture and prolotherapy may be effective even in advanced disease involving any joints. Prolotherapy involves injection into joint tissues of materials that stimulate the growth of supporting ligaments and tendons. It is performed repetitively, with treatments 2-4 weeks apart. We offer both prolotherapy and acupuncture in our clinic.

Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis are complicated conditions that are difficult to treat with conventional therapies. Traditionally, fibromyalgia patients are treated with painkillers and antidepressants, rheumatoid patients with steroids and other potent and dangerous immune-modulating drugs. We test for food allergies, also abnormalities in the intestines, such as leaky gut (increased permeability allowing bacterial toxins to be absorbed), and dysbiosis (growth of parasites, yeast, and abnormal bacteria.) Dysbiosis is treated with probiotics, the addition of helpful bacteria, and sometimes with specific drug or herbal antibiotics. The nutritional supplements noted above, especially fish oil, are important. D-ribose, malic acid and magnesium should be taken for fibromyalgia.

-Allan Sosin, MD www.iprogressivemed.com

(*The information contained in this article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or condition. These recommendations have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No content contained in this article is a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never increase, reduce or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. If you are seeking the advice of a medical professional and wish to make an appointment with one of our doctors, please call our office at (949) 600-5100. Unsolicited e-mail may not be answered and is not a substitute for obtaining medical advice in person from a qualified health professional. If you have a medical emergency, contact your personal physician or local medical emergency service immediately.)