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Wheelchair exercises for osteoporosis?

Page last modified on: September 9, 2008
Question from April: I am confined to a wheelchair and have advanced osteoporosis, so how can I exercise?
Answers —Charles Shapiro, M.D.: It depends on the impairment. If your legs are impaired, you can exercise your arms. If that's not possible and you can't exercise, then you have to go through treatment other ways, which most commonly would be medication.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: You may need to be creative and your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who can help you develop an exercise plan that is compatible with the specific reason why you're limited to a wheelchair. I have a number of patients who have been able to do this, to figure out a way to stay in the best condition possible just by being in a wheelchair. One in fact goes to a physical therapist and does exercises on a table several times a week, out of the wheelchair. When you are in bed at night, there may be some physical exercises that may be safe to do with careful medical advice.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Keeping Your Bones Strong. Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about how to measure the strength of your bones, how to find out your risk for osteoporosis, and what you can do to lower that risk.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Charles L. Shapiro, M.D.

Charles L. Shapiro, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, and associate professor at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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