Acupuncture
– the process of inserting needles into the skin and/or muscles to stimulate nerves
Alcoholism
– a disorder that means a person is dependent on alcohol or misuses it to the point where it affects their health
Bisphosphonates
– a drug that slows the thinning of bones in the body, prescribed for people with osteoporosis of some types of cancer
Bone density
– the strength of your bones
Buprenorphine (BuTrans) Transdermal Skin Patch
– administers opioids to relieve chronic pain
Calcitonin
– a naturally produced hormone that slows the depletion of bone
Chiropractic
– a professional method of relieving pain and restoring spinal and muscular function using spinal manipulations
Co-codamol
– a medication that contains paracetamol and codeine phosphate
Coeliac disease
– a disorder of the immune system where the body reacts to gluten in wheat, rye and barley
Codeine
– an opioid pain relief medication
Denosumab
– an injection drug treatment for osteoporosis that reduces the risk of broken bones
DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry)
– a scan to test bone density, similar to an X-ray
Eating disorder
– the serious illness which may take many forms, but which usually means a person changes their eating habits drastically in order to change their body image, to a point where it damages their body and health
FRAX
– a diagnostic tool that helps assess the risk of bone fractures, providing a probability score for a ten year period.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
– treats women who are experiencing adverse effects of menopause, by replacing hormones that are declining, mainly oestrogen
Hydrotherapy
– specialist exercises carried out in water to produce a therapeutic effect
Hysterectomy
– a surgical procedure in women that removes the womb and cervix, and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries
Ibuprofen
– a non-steroidal drug that reduces the hormones released when there are inflammation and pain in the body
Massage therapy
– used to treat stress, discomfort and pain around the body, which focuses on physically manipulating soft tissue such as muscles
Menopause
– the decline of oestrogen that happens to women around 45 years of age, bringing the end of periods and many other symptoms
Mindfulness
– the practice of living in the moment and accepting thoughts and sensations, rather than fighting against them – often uses meditative techniques
Naproxen
– a drug used to treat inflammation of the muscles and joints
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
– a pain relieving medication that helps reduce inflammation and is often used for people with arthritis or musculoskeletal aches and pains.
Occupational therapy
– the practice of assisting people to achieve their full potential and overcome difficulties, by looking at practical solutions, equipment and techniques.
Osteoblasts
– cells in the body that make new bone
Osteoclasts
– cells in the body that work to remove old bone
Osteopathy
– the practice of manipulating body tissue to help the body work smoothly
Paracetamol
– a pain relieving medication that reduces fever and mild pain
Parathyroid hormone
– a naturally occurring hormone in the body, which controls the amount of calcium found in the bloodstream, and which can be given as a synthetic treatment to reduce the risk of osteoporosis developing.
Phosphorous
– a mineral in the body which works with calcium to build bones
Physiotherapy
– the practice of restoring movement, function and reducing discomfort or pain due to ill health, disability or injury, often through manual therapy such as massage, exercise and advice
Q-Fracture
– an assessment tool based on algorithms, which asks questions about lifestyle and health to ascertain the likelihood of a person developing osteoporosis or experiencing a bone fracture
Raloxifene
– a drug treatment that provides the same effects as oestrogen in the body
Reflexology
– a complementary therapy that massages and manipulates the soles of the feet, with the belief that there are pressure points on the feet that correspond with parts of the body
Steroids
– drugs that are prescribed for a variety of health reasons and which affect how the body metabolises key vitamins and minerals, leading to possible bone loss
TENS machine
– Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation carried out by a small device with electrodes that attach to the skin, which delivers electrical impulses to areas of the body that are painful, to reduce pain signals and relax muscles
Teriparatide
– a medication that helps treat osteoporosis by simulating the hormone in the body that regulates calcium
The Alexander Technique
– helps change long-standing habits such as poor posture, to naturally align the body and reduce discomfort
Tramadol
– pain relief drug in the narcotic or opioid family
Trabecular
– the spongy bone at the ends of long bones, which is easiest to fracture
Vertebral crush fractures
– a collapsed bone in the spine