Mon-Fri: 8am-7pm, Sat: 9am-1pm
Onero™ at Bone Health Asia (Osteoporosis & Osteopenia)
Have you heard of Osteoporosis or Osteopenia?
Osteoporosis is a common condition affecting millions. It is a serious disease that causes our bones to become weak which results in a higher chance of a broken bone (or fracture) when we have a simple fall. Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis happens when the creation of new bone no longer keeps up with the loss of old bone.
The bone mineral density scan (DXA) is the primary method to diagnose osteoporosis, and can be ordered by your general practitioner (GP). The test can not only tell us if you have osteoporosis or normal bone density, it also lets us know if you are on the road to developing osteoporosis (also known as osteopenia). Osteopenia is when our bones are classified as weaker (or less dense) than normal, but not quite as weak as those with osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis affects around 200 million women worldwide
- Menopause increases the risk of developing osteoporosis
- Bones become less dense as we age leading to an increased risk of bone fracture
- Most common bones to break are the wrist, hip, and spine
- Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporosis fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50
Bones need exercise
“When it comes to bones we know exercise can benefit people throughout their life – by growing bigger stronger bones in childhood, improving bones throughout adulthood and preventing falls that can lead to fracture as we age.”
Professor Belinda Beck
Director, The Bone Clinic
Why should I be concerned about my bone health?
Bone health is an important part of your general health. Osteoporosis is common in Hong Kong and research has shown that there has been a 73% increase in the annual number of hip fractures requiring surgery over the last 20 years (Man et al, 2019). Fragile fractures (falls from standing height) incur both an economic and personal cost to the community. The Onero™ programme is appropriate for adults of any age wishing to reduce their risk of osteoporotic fracture.
Not all exercise is created equal
Not all exercise is effective. Research has demonstrated that only certain types of exercise improve bone health. Onero™ is an evidence-based osteoporosis treatment based on the LIFTMOR research – an exercise programme designed specifically to prevent osteoporotic fracture. It does this by stimulating bone development and preventing falls in at-risk individuals.
What is my risk of breaking a bone?
To determine your risk of breaking a bone, please visit the Healthy Bones Australia website and fill out this free Osteoporosis & Fragility Fracture Risk Test questionnaire.
Our bone health needs change over time. We need to build maximum bone and strength in childhood and adolescence, maintain muscle and bone strength during our adulthood and reduce bone loss in our later years, while also maintaining muscle strength, balance, mobility and prevent falls.
How can we help you?
To be safe and effective the programme must be supervised by a physiotherapist or accredited exercise physiologist who is trained and licensed to deliver the programme. Our Clinic is now licensed to deliver Onero™ to our clients with or at risk of osteoporosis. Onero™ is appropriate for adults of any age wishing to reduce their risk of osteoporotic fracture.
One of the great features of Onero™ is that you don’t need to exercise five days of the week. Research has found that just twice a week is enough to stimulate bone, improve muscle and help prevent falls. In fact, the original research that underpins Onero™ included only 1 hour of exercise a week.
The Research
The latest research from The Bone Clinic shows that improvement was observed in every measured parameter and reached significance:
Lumbar Spine Bone Mass Density (BMD): Increase of 4.0 to 4.1%
Total Hip BMD: Increase of 1.5 to 3.4%
Femoral Neck BMD: 2.4 to 4.5%
Lean Mass: 1.8 to 4.1% (P<.0001)
Functional Reach: 8.1 to 12.0%
Back Extensor Strength: Increase of 27.8% to 49.1%
Previous fractures: Decreased 91.7%
[1] Beck BR and Weis LJ: Translating high intensity loading for osteoporosis to the real world: Two year observations from The Bone Clinic. Research to Practice Annual Scientific Meeting of Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 March 2018 (Winner: Practitioner Award)
How do I start?
Please complete this free Osteoporosis Risk Test.
Send in your results prior to the initial assessment if possible.
While it isn’t necessary, it is advisable for you to have a DXA scan so that we have a baseline measurement of your bone density.
Furthermore, if you have a pronounced curve in your middle back (thoracic spine) then an EOS scan to determine the angle of your spine is recommended. The EOS scan is a low dose x-ray taken in a standing position and provides a 3D picture of your spine and lower limbs.
Book your Onero™ appointment for better bone health
Onero™ at Bone Health Asia located at Sports And Spinal Physiotherapy Centres provides one-on-one sessions, delivered by our clinically trained physiotherapists, driving you to better bone health. Our clinic is the first one in Asia that is licensed to safely deliver the Onero™ programme.
Find out more about Osteoporosis
To learn more about osteoporosis, osteopenia and the Onero™ programme, please visit the following resources below:
About Osteoporosis & Osteopenia (English)
About Osteoporosis & Osteopenia (Chinese)
The Bone Clinic, which are the developers of Onero™, disseminate this effective exercise program throughout Australia. They have an informative video explaining how the programme can:
1) increase bone density;
2) strengthen muscle; and
3) reduce the risk of falls.
FAQs
What is Onero™?
Onero™ is an evidence–based exercise programme developed from the LIFTMOR randomized controlled trial, conducted at Griffith University, (Queensland Australia) under the supervision of Professor Belinda Beck and recently published in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research (2018). Since 2015, Onero™ has been implemented at The Bone Clinic in Brisbane, Australia and a growing number of licensed providers in Australia (currently over 30). and Bone Health Asia has been awarded the first international license to deliver the Onero™ programme in Hong Kong.
What is the benefit of participating in the Onero™ programme?
The LIFTMOR study found that Onero™ increases bone mass, improves posture and decreases falls in clinic patients. Results show that 86% of patients increased bone mass at the lumbar spine and 69% of patients increased bone mass at the hip. These results were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research in Montreal (2018).
Is Onero™ safe for someone with osteoporosis?
Yes. However, to be safe and effective the program must be supervised by an accredited therapist who is trained and licensed to deliver the programme. Our Clinic is licensed to deliver Onero™ to our clients with or at risk of osteoporosis. The LIFTMOR trial and subsequent clinical data over the last 8 years reports extremely low rate of injury during the programme. While the Onero™ programme requires lifting weights, the loads applied are slowly increased and the weights are never increased unless your lifting form is perfect.
What sort of exercise does the Onero™ programme involve?
The exercise protocol is targeted specifically to stimulate bone, strengthen muscles and prevent falls, so it is comprised of low repetitions but high intensity, impact loading, mobility and balance.
How often do I need to attend the Onero™ programme?
One of the great features of Onero™ is that you don’t need to exercise five days of the week. Research has found that just 2 exercise sessions a week is enough to stimulate bone, improve muscle and help prevent falls. In fact, the original research that underpins Onero™ included only 1 hour of exercise a week.
Do I need special clothes and shoes?
No. Wear comfortable clothing which allows you to squat without restriction and shoes with as little support as possible to maximize the effect of the impact loading exercises.
Can I continue with my other treatments at the same time?
Yes. Onero is not a replacement for your current osteoporosis treatments.
Do I need to have a bone scan done before I start the programme?
If you are deemed to be at risk following the completion of the Risk assessment form then yes a baseline bone scan (DXA) is warranted.
How long do I need to do the programme for?
The original study which Onero™ is based upon, took a group of individuals with low to very low bone density and put them through training for 30 minutes 2 times a week over an 8 month period. Bone production and resorption never stops so you must continue to load your bones. After our peak bone mass is achieved, our bone density tends to decline with age. So, the old saying is true – if you don’t use it – you will lose it!