Radon tames osteoporosis pain

Helps a cure for porous bones?
Osteoporosis is a widespread disease among women beyond menopause. Few women over 50 are spared osteoporosis or at least a decrease in bone density. The fact that bones lose their volume as they grow older is one of the natural processes of aging. At the beginning, a lifestyle change often helps: a well-considered diet and sufficient exercise are important pillars in the fight against the disease. Even a basic drug therapy is important. In addition, during the course of the disease typically occur in bone pain, which leads to movement restrictions. Pain therapy is therefore an important aspect. Also, exercises for fall prevention belong in a good treatment concept, as they prevent fractures.

"Osteoporosis is a disease in which sufferers have to work on their own and take responsibility for therapy," says Univ.-Doz. Dr. Bertram Hölzl, scientific director of the Gastein Heilstollen. "A cure can help them well, because often in the spa facilities well-trained physiotherapists and a wide variety of medical services are available, which encourage self-help." From the spa stay should also emanate an impulse to change the lifestyle and thus have a lasting effect. In osteoporosis, for example, therapeutic Nordic walking, coordination-enhancing therapeutic climbing or back-fit groups help to strengthen important muscle groups by stretching and strengthening and so relieve the spine. Patient education also plays an important role. All building blocks also prepare the patient to continue doing exercises at home alone. What is special about a cure are the - usually local - natural remedies.

"For us, in the Austrian town of Bad Gastein, for example, the Radonthermalstollen is one of them." Hölzl. Here, patients travel by train several times to the tunnels and spend about an hour on the therapy stations, where the impact factors radon, heat and high humidity unfold their therapeutic benefit. "Recent studies have shown that patients undergoing radon therapy benefit from a positive change in bone metabolism," says Drs. Hölzl. Above all, however, experts in radon therapy speak of pain-relieving effects that persist in osteoporosis patients according to scientific studies for up to 9 months. Not only does this mean patients need less painkillers to relieve bone pain, it also restores mobility. Often this can restore the basis for the important movement therapies. (Pm)