Patient and Physician

Osteoporosis Resources

Dr. David Hanley Osteoporosis Centre

Physical Activity

Osteoporosis Canada

Being physically active every day is important for healthy bones. Osteoporosis Canada encourages individuals to include the following exercises:

  • Weight bearing
  • Strength training
  • Balance training
  • Posture training

Find out more about Osteoporosis Canada’s exercise recommendations here. If you have osteoporosis, talk to your primary care provider before starting any physical activity program.

Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP)

Alberta Health Services AHLP offers free supervised exercise programs and group education. 

For the exercise programs, if you have a primary care physician or nurse practitioner, you can self-refer to this program.  You must have a chronic condition, be 18 years of age or older, and can walk to participate.

Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for bone loss and fracture. If you needed another reason to quit smoking, this is it! Find help with Alberta Quits.

Falls Prevention

Falling is not a normal part of aging. Falling should not be a regular or everyday occurrence. Individuals need to be mindful of changes happening with their bodies and the environment, especially during the icy winters!

Seek help from your primary healthcare provider when you’ve had:

  • 2 or more falls in one year
  • 1 fall where there is an injury of any kind
  • Experiencing any disturbance in balance (how you walk). Causes can include: low blood pressure, vertigo, vision and hearing changes, medication changes, foot or nail care, worries about falling, seizure disorders and osteoarthritis

Find out more about falls at Finding Balance.

Spine Bracing Information

Cascade Orthotics (403-283-7872) specializes in spine bracing. Their team works specifically out of Foothills Medical Centre with the spine/trauma group. Cascade Orthotics specialists can provide phone consultation for spine brace options with an orthotics specialist if the patient may benefit from additional recommendations after their brace assessment.

Cascade Orthotics asks for the spine brace prescription to include:

  • The patient diagnosis
  • The type of brace recommended
  • Referring physician’s contact information

The brace prescription is good for 3 months, otherwise Cascade Orthotics will call to have it re-submitted.  The Cascade Orthotics specialist will take care of the client declaration and funding submission with Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL). The patient should review this information with Cascade Orthotics to confirm coverage at their time of assessment.