Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program in Shellharbour
The Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program at RX Physiotherapy Shellharbour is a supervised physiotherapy-led exercise program for people with osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone density, falls risk or fracture risk.
The program is designed to help patients build strength, improve balance, reduce modifiable fracture risk factors and feel more confident exercising safely.
This program is suitable for patients referred by a GP, specialist or allied health practitioner, as well as patients who self-refer after being diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia.
What RX Physiotherapy offers
RX Physiotherapy Shellharbour provides a structured osteoporosis exercise program that includes:
Initial bone health physiotherapy assessment
VALD Testing so you have clarity in your progress
Review of DEXA scan results where available
Review of fracture history and falls risk
Strength and balance assessment
Balance and falls prevention exercises
Supervised gym-based exercise where appropriate
Education on safe movement and exercise with osteoporosis
Exercise progression based on confidence, strength and risk level
Communication with the patient’s GP or referring practitioner where clinically appropriate
Who the program is for
The Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program is for people who:
- Have osteoporosis
- Have osteopenia
- Have low bone density
- Have had a DEXA scan showing reduced bone mineral density
- Have had a previous fragility fracture
- Are at increased risk of falls
- Are post-menopausal and concerned about bone health
- Have been advised to start strength training but do not know where to begin
- Feel nervous about exercising with osteoporosis
- Need a safe, supervised pathway into resistance training
Patient-focused explanation
Many people are diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia and are told to exercise, but they are not given a clear plan.
Patients often do not know:
- Which exercises are safe
- Which exercises should be modified
- Whether they should lift weights
- How much weight they should use
- How to protect the spine and hips
- How to improve balance
- How to reduce falls risk
- How to progress exercise safely over time
The RX Physiotherapy Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program gives patients a structured plan rather than generic advice.
What does our Osteoporosis Program involve?
The RX Physiotherapy Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program provides a supervised exercise pathway for patients with osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone density or increased fracture risk.
The program is designed to complement GP-led osteoporosis management, including medical management, calcium and vitamin D considerations, fracture risk assessment and broader health planning.
Patients may be suitable for referral if they require support with:
➤ Safe commencement of resistance training
➤ Falls prevention
➤ Balance training
➤ Functional strength development
➤ Exercise confidence
➤ Gym-based exercise progression
➤ Long-term exercise adherence
➤ Fracture risk reduction strategies
RX Physiotherapy can provide updates to referring practitioners where clinically relevant.
FAQ content
The Osteoporosis & Bone Health Program at RX Physiotherapy Shellharbour is a supervised physiotherapy-led exercise program for people with osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone density, falls risk or fracture risk.
The program is for people with osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone density, previous fragility fracture, reduced balance, falls risk or concerns about exercising safely with osteoporosis.
No. Patients can book directly. GP referrals are also welcome, especially when the patient has DEXA scan results, fracture history or other medical considerations.
Yes. Patients should bring their DEXA scan report if they have one. This helps the physiotherapist understand bone density results and tailor the exercise program.
Strength training can be appropriate for many people with osteoporosis when it is prescribed, modified and progressed safely. The program is individualised based on diagnosis, fracture history, balance, strength, confidence and medical history.
Exercise can support bone health, improve strength, improve balance and reduce modifiable falls risk factors. Bone density changes depend on multiple factors including age, medication, hormones, nutrition, training consistency and medical management.
Yes. The program is suitable for people with osteopenia, osteoporosis, low bone density or early concerns about bone health.
This is a physiotherapy-led program that may include gym-based strength training where appropriate. The difference is that exercise is assessed, prescribed and progressed based on the patient’s clinical risk profile.
Start with an Initial Bone Health Assessment
The safest way to begin is with a one-on-one physiotherapy assessment.
At the initial appointment, RX Physiotherapy will review the patient’s bone health history, DEXA scan results where available, fracture history, falls risk, strength, balance, confidence and current exercise capacity.
From there, the physiotherapist will create an individualised exercise plan for osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone density or fracture risk.
