Sarah this information is so important! I have significant scoliosis and I am short and slim. My Dexa put me as osteoporosis and my REMS as osteopenia. My REMS reassured me to do with my bone strength. Without this REMS test I would be taking medication possibly and thinking my bones are fragile. What frustrates me is that my height and weight and scoliosis *should* have made the doctors question my Dexa result. What you said Sarah is known and true. Yet my GP, an endocrinologist and a Gynecologist all wanted me to take medication not questioning the Dexa (edited to add: nor did they suggest a Rems).
I am so sorry that this was your experience with the medical system! REMS are not widely available yet which I hope will change soon. I think once REMS becomes widely available that it will open up possibilities for medical providers and that the system will change. I think medical providers are limited by the available tools generally covered by health insurance. The good news is that you sought out the right medical attention and help and you got a REMS that did give you peace of mind ❤
I just had my two- year DEXA and although this test indicates I Lost some density in my Lumbar I am stable in my hips and wrist. I am 68 moving toward 70. I have had the diagnosis since I was 58 and I don't take medications, I do Yoga and weights take Vitamin D and some calcium but try to get my calcium from food. I want to find the REMS - thanks for the information !
It isn't widely available yet, but traveling REMS locations are available now and I think that they will become widely available in the near future which will be great! I am so glad that you now know what to look for and ask about ❤
What do think about mini trampolines, aka rebounding for osteoporosis? I use one and I know it improves my balance. Also, I believe that it applies force to the entire skeleton, yet without the harmful impact or jarring to your frame. NASA believes in rebounding, as they needed a way for astronauts to recover bone loss that happens when they spend a long time in space.
You are right that NASA believes in rebounding for astronauts. Astronauts develop space osteopenia that they are trying to recover from which is different from having osteoporosis. There is a scientific study that had women jump while wearing weighted vests and it showed an increase in bone density. The impact from jumping is "good for bones." I can also see that jumping would be good for improving balance which is a great thing for bone health. I don't generally recommend using rebounders because of the potential to have a fall or too strong of an impact on bones. The truth is it really depends on the severity of a person's bone loss whether rebounding is a good idea or not. Running is another great example of this principle. Running has impact and it builds bone, but once a person has osteoporosis running can actually have a large enough impact to cause a compression fracture. I have a client who has osteoporosis and she still runs... and she hasn't had a fracture from doing so. Jumping is similar to running in that it builds bone, but if bone loss is severe it also has the potential to also cause a fracture. Astronauts do no have the same severity of bone loss that a person with osteoporosis has. All of that said, it sounds like you are feeling good about what you are doing and you are seeing benefit from it. That probably means that rebounding is working well for you just like my client who running works well for her. If it is working, don't change it ❤
That is a really interesting question. I am inclined to believe the REMS exam results because it has the ability to consider bone quality while dexa does not. Getting another REMS in about six months will give you a really good gauge as to whether things are improving or not. I hope that helps ❤
Ever since I got my DEXA and my diagnosis of Osteoprosis I have been in fear. I don't want to take meds. FYI I have fallen a few times and haven't broken anything.
Thank you again for the side-by-side comparisons of DEXA and REMS. Unfortunately there is no REMS in my area (San Diego CA). I can’t seem to find the travel REMS service either.
Search for REMS echolight online. I have several clients in Southern California who were able to get a REMS that was part of the traveling REMS. It was in the LA area though, so it might mean a drive for you.
@@gracehsiung6298 I agree that driving through LA traffic is not trivial, but it may be helpful in this case. Osteostrong seems to have partnered with REMS and if you look for OSteostrong locations you may find one nearer to where you are and be able to get a REMS. You are under no obligation to sign up for Osteostrong if you get a REMS at one of their locations.
Thank you for this info. I don’t think REMS is available near me. The endocrinologist is pushing me to take meds for osteoporosis but I feel strong. Can squat with 35-40 pounds. Bench press 50. Run 2 miles 2 times a week. Yet my T score for spine is -2.8, -3.0 for right femoral neck, -2.5 hip -1.8 forearm. Do you have any advice? Am I in the range for medication ? I appreciate any input. Thank you.
Doctors will prescribe medication for people who are only in the osteopenia range. You are in the osteoporosis range, and it is normal for doctors to push medication. That is what is in their tool box to provide help. Being strong is incredibly important because it will improve your bone quality and reduce your fracture risk. That is helpful ❤ If you are comfortable not taking medication then watch where your numbers are while doing all the lifestyle things. If you numbers continue to move down then you might consider doing medication, but if they hold steady or go up that would indicate that what you are doing is working. There is not one way to do treatment for osteoporosis. What makes the most sense to you to do? What you think about things is the most important consideration when it comes to your health.
@@sarahmapes_bonebuildersystem But they only do the dexa scans every 2 years so I'm a little worried that I might wait and find the numbers get worse. I had a previous dexa which indicated osteopenia and I did try life changes but the numbers still got worse. IDK. Thank you very much for replying.
@@jobischwartz3824 Check in with Osteostrong and see if they have REMS coming through anytime soon. You are not obligated to sign up with Osteostrong in any way if you get a REMS done at one of their locations, but they seem to have partnered with REMS in some way. With the way you are exercising and feeling strong and comfortable, I would sure be curious to know what your bone quality is like... If you can get a REMS it might give you peace of mind that what you are doing is working. The other option is to try out medication. If you were to start with a bisphosphonate you have not made a long term commitment. Bisphosphonates are the easiest type of medication to stop taking if you decide it isn't for you. I hope that helps❤
Osteostrong seems to have some sort of partnership with REMS at the moment, and I would look for your nearest Osteostrong location and then see if they offer a REMS test. Having a REMS test does not in any way obligate you to sign up for Osteostrong.
If you don’t measure bones at age 30, why compare to an artificial number? Z score is more accurate. Also, DEXA scan is not testing the quality…fracture risk has everything to do with falling, not T score.
I wish we did test bone density at age 30. It would be so insightful and helpful. I respectfully disagree about the scoring of the Z and T score. Comparing bone density to other people who are approximately your same age and weight is not as accurate a gauge since they probably also have bone loss. You are right that it is an "artificial number" of sorts to say that a specific number is peak bone density, but it is an average number that is used to represent peak bone mass. This means that using a T score compares a person to peak bone mass and that is a more accurate gauge for showing how much bone a person has lost. Bone loss is one gauge for determining fracture risk. The most common osteoporotic fractures are compression fractures in the spine which tend to have more to do with posture than with falls, so looking at bone loss in the spine is an important consideration when looking at overall fracture risk. You are right that DEXA does not measure bone quality. REMS tests do offer information about bone quality.
❤❤❤❤😊thanks Sarah for the best information of bone builder systems and balancing exercises
Sarah this information is so important! I have significant scoliosis and I am short and slim. My Dexa put me as osteoporosis and my REMS as osteopenia. My REMS reassured me to do with my bone strength. Without this REMS test I would be taking medication possibly and thinking my bones are fragile. What frustrates me is that my height and weight and scoliosis *should* have made the doctors question my Dexa result. What you said Sarah is known and true. Yet my GP, an endocrinologist and a Gynecologist all wanted me to take medication not questioning the Dexa (edited to add: nor did they suggest a Rems).
Awesome 👍
I am so sorry that this was your experience with the medical system! REMS are not widely available yet which I hope will change soon. I think once REMS becomes widely available that it will open up possibilities for medical providers and that the system will change. I think medical providers are limited by the available tools generally covered by health insurance.
The good news is that you sought out the right medical attention and help and you got a REMS that did give you peace of mind ❤
I just had my two- year DEXA and although this test indicates I Lost some density in my Lumbar I am stable in my hips and wrist. I am 68 moving toward 70. I have had the diagnosis since I was 58 and I don't take medications, I do Yoga and weights take Vitamin D and some calcium but try to get my calcium from food. I want to find the REMS - thanks for the information !
Thank you for this excellent information!
I am so glad you found it helpful ❤
Brilliant video. So, lucky I have a Rems testing near me in the UK. I'm due to go back in December.❤
That is a wonderful thing! I am excited for you to have a REMs!
Here in the US it's hard to find one
thank you, did not know rems tests existed. great info
It isn't widely available yet, but traveling REMS locations are available now and I think that they will become widely available in the near future which will be great! I am so glad that you now know what to look for and ask about ❤
What do think about mini trampolines, aka rebounding for osteoporosis? I use one and I know it improves my balance. Also, I believe that it applies force to the entire skeleton, yet without the harmful impact or jarring to your frame. NASA believes in rebounding, as they needed a way for astronauts to recover bone loss that happens when they spend a long time in space.
You are right that NASA believes in rebounding for astronauts. Astronauts develop space osteopenia that they are trying to recover from which is different from having osteoporosis. There is a scientific study that had women jump while wearing weighted vests and it showed an increase in bone density. The impact from jumping is "good for bones." I can also see that jumping would be good for improving balance which is a great thing for bone health.
I don't generally recommend using rebounders because of the potential to have a fall or too strong of an impact on bones. The truth is it really depends on the severity of a person's bone loss whether rebounding is a good idea or not. Running is another great example of this principle. Running has impact and it builds bone, but once a person has osteoporosis running can actually have a large enough impact to cause a compression fracture. I have a client who has osteoporosis and she still runs... and she hasn't had a fracture from doing so. Jumping is similar to running in that it builds bone, but if bone loss is severe it also has the potential to also cause a fracture. Astronauts do no have the same severity of bone loss that a person with osteoporosis has.
All of that said, it sounds like you are feeling good about what you are doing and you are seeing benefit from it. That probably means that rebounding is working well for you just like my client who running works well for her. If it is working, don't change it ❤
My dexa said I have severe osteoporosis and REMS said I don’t have it? What is the truth?
That is a really interesting question. I am inclined to believe the REMS exam results because it has the ability to consider bone quality while dexa does not. Getting another REMS in about six months will give you a really good gauge as to whether things are improving or not. I hope that helps ❤
Ever since I got my DEXA and my diagnosis of Osteoprosis I have been in fear. I don't want to take meds. FYI I have fallen a few times and haven't broken anything.
Thank you again for the side-by-side comparisons of DEXA and REMS. Unfortunately there is no REMS in my area (San Diego CA). I can’t seem to find the travel REMS service either.
Search for REMS echolight online. I have several clients in Southern California who were able to get a REMS that was part of the traveling REMS. It was in the LA area though, so it might mean a drive for you.
Oh good to know. At least it is within reach although going through LA traffic is not trivial especially during the week. Thank you for the info.
@@gracehsiung6298 I agree that driving through LA traffic is not trivial, but it may be helpful in this case. Osteostrong seems to have partnered with REMS and if you look for OSteostrong locations you may find one nearer to where you are and be able to get a REMS. You are under no obligation to sign up for Osteostrong if you get a REMS at one of their locations.
Thank you for this info. I don’t think REMS is available near me. The endocrinologist is pushing me to take meds for osteoporosis but I feel strong. Can squat with 35-40 pounds. Bench press 50. Run 2 miles 2 times a week. Yet my T score for spine is -2.8, -3.0 for right femoral neck, -2.5 hip -1.8 forearm. Do you have any advice? Am I in the range for medication ? I appreciate any input. Thank you.
Doctors will prescribe medication for people who are only in the osteopenia range. You are in the osteoporosis range, and it is normal for doctors to push medication. That is what is in their tool box to provide help. Being strong is incredibly important because it will improve your bone quality and reduce your fracture risk. That is helpful ❤ If you are comfortable not taking medication then watch where your numbers are while doing all the lifestyle things. If you numbers continue to move down then you might consider doing medication, but if they hold steady or go up that would indicate that what you are doing is working. There is not one way to do treatment for osteoporosis. What makes the most sense to you to do? What you think about things is the most important consideration when it comes to your health.
@@sarahmapes_bonebuildersystem But they only do the dexa scans every 2 years so I'm a little worried that I might wait and find the numbers get worse. I had a previous dexa which indicated osteopenia and I did try life changes but the numbers still got worse. IDK. Thank you very much for replying.
@@jobischwartz3824 Check in with Osteostrong and see if they have REMS coming through anytime soon. You are not obligated to sign up with Osteostrong in any way if you get a REMS done at one of their locations, but they seem to have partnered with REMS in some way. With the way you are exercising and feeling strong and comfortable, I would sure be curious to know what your bone quality is like... If you can get a REMS it might give you peace of mind that what you are doing is working.
The other option is to try out medication. If you were to start with a bisphosphonate you have not made a long term commitment. Bisphosphonates are the easiest type of medication to stop taking if you decide it isn't for you.
I hope that helps❤
Thanks for your fab videos!! I'm in Toronto Canada so going to see if anything here.
Totally! Have a look and see if you can get a REMS in Toronto ❤
This is great information. Thanks so much ❤
I am so glad it is helpful❤
How can you get a REMs test?
Osteostrong seems to have some sort of partnership with REMS at the moment, and I would look for your nearest Osteostrong location and then see if they offer a REMS test. Having a REMS test does not in any way obligate you to sign up for Osteostrong.
Great info, Sarah!
I am glad you like it ❤
If you don’t measure bones at age 30, why compare to an artificial number? Z score is more accurate. Also, DEXA scan is not testing the quality…fracture risk has everything to do with falling, not T score.
I wish we did test bone density at age 30. It would be so insightful and helpful.
I respectfully disagree about the scoring of the Z and T score. Comparing bone density to other people who are approximately your same age and weight is not as accurate a gauge since they probably also have bone loss. You are right that it is an "artificial number" of sorts to say that a specific number is peak bone density, but it is an average number that is used to represent peak bone mass. This means that using a T score compares a person to peak bone mass and that is a more accurate gauge for showing how much bone a person has lost. Bone loss is one gauge for determining fracture risk.
The most common osteoporotic fractures are compression fractures in the spine which tend to have more to do with posture than with falls, so looking at bone loss in the spine is an important consideration when looking at overall fracture risk.
You are right that DEXA does not measure bone quality. REMS tests do offer information about bone quality.