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Example research essay topic: Risk Factors Bone Tissue - 1,672 words

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MASSAGE THERAPY DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE Osteoporosis is a disorder related to aging, which is characterized by loss of enough bone minerals so that, even with little force, one or more bones can be broken. The more bone material that is lost, the greater is the risk of breaking ones bones. Such a break is known as a fracture. Fractures due to osteoporosis are most common in the wrists, the backbone, and the hips, but they can occur in almost any bone in the body. Victims of this disease are not aware that anything is wrong because in the beginning osteoporosis is subtle and painless until a bone breaks. In some women, but certainly not all, the bones become so weak that they cannot withstand even minor physical forces encountered in daily living.

Thus, a cough can break a rib, riding over a bumpy road can fracture a backbone, or nothing more than the weight of a womans own body can cause her hip bones to crumble (Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General 2004). It may occur in an immobilized bone, as when in a plaster cast, or in malnutrition, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, vitamin C deficiency, or when there is an excess of adrenal cortical hormones. It may occur in a woman following menopause. Some osteoporosis occurs in old age in both sexes. The possible complications of osteoporosis include pain in the bones, bone fracture, kyphosis and general debility. GENERAL INCIDENCE AMONG THE POPULATION Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases affecting women in affluent Western societies.

It also occurs, but to a lesser extent, in aging men in those same societies. In fact, with all the media coverage it has received in recent years, osteoporosis has become a household word. Even so, few people know very much about this condition. The disease has reached epidemic proportions.

For example, in the US alone, around 10 million individuals over the age of 50 have osteoporosis in the hip. Another 33. 6 million persons over the age of 50 have low bone mass. This is also known as osteopenia of the hip. People with this are at risk of developing the disease and its complications later in life. (Bone Health and Osteoporosis). In addition, in women over the age of sixty-five, 35 to 40 percent have suffered from one or more osteoporosis-related fractures. In fact, the diagnosis and care of people suffering from this disease has become a 4 -billion-dollar-a-year health business in the United States.

RISK FACTORS There are several risk factors that determine who is likely to develop this disease. It is important to know if one is at risk so that prevention can be done. Some of these risk factors are: Age. As one grows older, there is a greater risk of getting osteoporosis. This is because the bones become less dense and thus, it becomes weaker and susceptible to fractures.

Gender. The chances of getting osteoporosis are greater in women. This is because women have less bone tissue. Furthermore, during menopause, women lose bone more rapidly than men. (Risk Factors).

Race. Caucasian and Asian women develop osteoporosis more than the other races. Further studies reveal that African American and Hispanic women are more at risk for developing this disease. (Risk Factors). Bone Structure and Weight. Because the bones of small-boned and thin women are small, they are at a greater risk of osteoporosis. (Risk Factors). Family History and Personal History of Fractures as an Adult.

If one incurs a fracture earlier in life, it is more likely that she will develop the disease later. Also, women whose mothers have a history of fractures also may get the disease. Lifestyle. If one drinks or smokes too much, with little or no exercise and not consuming an adequate amount of calcium, one can get the disease earlier than predicted. (Risk Factors).

COMMON TREATMENT AND MODALITIES The important components of the diet that have been thought to affect the bones are vitamin D, phosphorus, fluorides, calcium and proteins. A deficiency in vitamin D has been suspected for a long time because of the important role this vitamin plays in bone metabolism. However, several reasons have been found to explain why osteoporosis is not a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. In the first place, vitamin D is actually a hormone synthesized in our bodies by the action of sunlight on the skin. The vitamin D levels in a persons body are a direct result of the amount of sunlight received and are not dependent upon dietary sources of this hormone, which is synthesized in the body. Only under very unusual circumstances would someone fail to receive the small amount of sunlight that is required to produce adequate levels of vitamin D.

Elderly people who are confined indoors would be most susceptible to vitamin D deficient. However, even then the lack of vitamin D is not likely to contribute in any way to the development of osteoporosis (Improving and Maintaining Bone Health). Much research has been done on the treatment of osteoporosis with vitamin D. This approach has not met with success in reducing the numbers of fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

Furthermore, vitamin D taken in excess is toxic and can cause serious illness. When used alone to treat osteoporosis, this vitamin can have a harmful effect because it is actually a potent hormone that stimulates reabsorption of bone material. Fluorides and phosphorus are simple chemicals that are incorporated in the bone structure along with calcium. The amount of each in the diet has an effect on bone metabolism. Fluoride salts are present in all natural foods and in some places they are present naturally in higher concentrations in drinking water, while elsewhere they are added intentionally to foods and water supplies. The fluoride element is one of the most effective stimulators of new bone growth and people living in areas supplied with fluoridated water have greater bone densities than those who are not exposed to higher concentrations of this mineral.

However, treatment of osteoporosis with fluoride supplements alone or in combination with calcium and vitamin D has been disappointing. Bone tissue formed under the influence of large doses of fluoride appears to have less strength, as shown by the unfortunate fact that this treatment fails to reduce the rate of fractures. A further disadvantage to the deliberate use of this mineral is that almost 40 percent of the patients who are treated with fluoride develop significant side effects, including vomiting, bleeding stomach ulcers and joint pains (Improving and Maintaining Bone Health). Dietary phosphorus, present in all foods, is found in high amounts in meats, dairy products, additives and soft drinks. Problems of bone metabolism develop when the intake of phosphorous is much greater than that of calcium, and this imbalance has been suspected as a cause of bone loss related to age.

However, several studies have failed to show any deleterious effects from high-phosphorus diets. Treatment of osteoporosis by changing the calcium-phosphorus balance has been without benefit. IMPLICATIONS FOR MASSAGE Many believe that hands-on energy treatments or massage can stimulate bone growth or at least ease the tension of people afflicted with osteoporosis. (Improving and Maintaining Bone Health). Neuropsychiatric disorders may be the outcome of osteoporosis. Since massage soothes ones nerves, people with osteoporosis would want the calming effect this has on them. However, there is very little studies that reveal a direct correlation between the effect of massage on people affected with the disease.

The most that massage can do is to relax the patient and undergo relief spawned by the massage treatment (Improving and Maintaining Bone Health). Doctors also advise less manipulation if an elderly person has osteoporosis because a slight mishandling can result in a broken bone since the bones can be very brittle. CONTRAINDICATIONS OR INDICATIONS FOR BODYWORK There are several methods in indications for massage and bodywork especially for people with osteoporosis. Some of these are the following: Manual Lump Drainage Massage.

This is a process done to the body in order to improve the flow of the lymph rhythmic strokes. This is used in conditions when the body is already developing edema. The process is used in several massage spas and is a great way to detoxify the body. The massage can be readjusted to a low pressure of the hands for those afflicted with some bone disease. Structural / Functional / Movement Integration This is especially done in order to integrate the body in relationship to the gravity by manipulating the soft tissues and by correcting inappropriate patterns of movement.

These methods results in a more balanced use of the body and the nervous systems creating ease of movement at all times. Some of these approaches are the Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, the Rosen Method, Rolling and Heller work. It is interesting to note that some of these methods do not even require the practitioner to touch the human body being treated but the percentage of success is very high. Oriental Methods Some employ the Oriental methods specifically the principles of Chinese medicine and the flow of energy or chi through the meridians. The practitioner studies the acupuncture meridians to determine the points in applying the pressure to restore balance and chi flow. People can supplement their efforts with herbs and other alternative forms of treatment.

Indeed, osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of growing older, but is rather a degenerative disease resulting from improper care of the body during younger or middle years. Now that one knows better set of rules to live by, ones efforts can be directed towards preventing osteoporosis by eating a proper diet and choosing to follow a healthful lifestyle. WORKS CITED Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General 2004. U. S.

Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Surgeon General, Rockville. Accessed 10 January 2006 at: web Improving and Maintaining Bone Health. Aware project. Accessed Jan. 10, 2006 at: web Risk factors. Accessed Jan. 10, 2006 at: web


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Research essay sample on Risk Factors Bone Tissue

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