• $169.99

Building Better Bones

  • Course
  • 187 Lessons


Since its launch in 2007, over 12,000 Physical Therapists (Physiotherapists) have completed Building Better Bones.

This 2022 edition of Building Better Bones is newly updated with the latest research and developments in bone health.

At the end of this course you will have the knowledge you need to help individuals with osteoporosis, osteopenia and low bone density build better bones.

Only licensed health professionals can purchase access to this course. Please Contact Us if you wish to purchase.

What Professionals Are Saying

Building Better Bones has inspired me to become more involved in the area of Osteoporosis. Margaret is extremely knowledgeable about Osteoporosis and an excellent instructor.

Sherri Hayes, Physiotherapist, Active Body Physical Therapy, Ontario

Building Better Bones is an evidence-based approach to teaching your clients postural, strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance exercises tailored to their level of fitness and fracture risk.

Holly Bonasera, MPT, GCFP, Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Nebraska

Building Better Bones was exceptional — both for me as someone with Osteoporosis and as a Health Care Professional who treats clients with Osteoporosis.

Alison Krausen, Occupational Therapist, Genesis Rehab Services, Pennsylvania

Building Better Bones should be a mandatory part of all Physical Therapy training.

Karen Ginsburg, Physiotherapist, Community Rehab Therapy, Ontario

Building Better Bones is a firm foundation in understanding osteoporosis, as well as a practical approach to dealing with patients. It included everything from testing seniors' fitness levels through to exercises for posture, flexibility, balance and strength.

Colleen MacDonald, Physical Therapist, Misericordia Hospital, Alberta

Building Better Bones and the Margaret's website have both been great resources that I find simplifies my approach to providing safe and appropriate exercises for the variety of patients that I treat.

Justin Mathew, BSc PT, Registered Physiotherapist, Bronte Physiotherapy, Ontario

Contents

Course Introduction and Welcome

Welcome to Building Better Bones. This course is designed for health professionals who treat individuals with osteoporosis, osteopenia or low bone density.
Introduction to Building Better Bones
Preview
Meet Your Instructor
Preview
About Margaret Martin
Preview
Course Objectives
Preview
Copyrighted Material Notice

Fundamentals of Osteoporosis

Introduction to Definitions and Consequences
Preview
Definitions
Consequences
Introduction to Bone Physiology
Preview
Bone Physiology Overview
Introduction to Testing Bone Density and Quality
Preview
Testing Bone Density and Bone Quality
Bone Quality and Osteoporosis
DEXA Guide
Introduction to Risk Factors
Preview
Risk Factors
Risk Factors: Medications and Medical Conditions
Introduction to Effect of Exercise on Bone
Preview
Effect of Exercise on Bone • Part A
Effect of Exercise on Bone • Part B
Whole Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis and Bone Density
High Intensity Whole Body Vibration
Low Intensity Whole Body Vibration
Low Intensity Vibration: Q&A Part A
Low Intensity Vibration: Q&A Part B
The LIFTMOR Exercise Study
Introduction to Nutrition for Bone Health
Preview
Nutrition and Bone Health • Part 1
Nutrition and Bone Health • Part 2
Nutrition and Bone Health • Part 3
The Gut Microbiome
Building a Healthy Microbiome
How Medications Affect the Microbiome
Nutrition for Bone Health
Calcium Supplements for Osteoporosis
Can Probiotics Stop Bone Loss? [Blog Post]
Vitamin K2 for Osteoporosis
Prunes and Osteoporosis
Diet Plan for Osteoporosis
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Intervention
Preview
Pharmaceutical Intervention for Professionals
Pharmaceutical References
Prolia
Bisphosphonates
Hormone Replacement Therapy

Assessment and Senior Fitness Test

Introduction to Assessment
Preview
Assessment and Senior Fitness Test
Senior Fitness Test Application • 65 Year Old
Senior Fitness Test Application • 85 Year Old

Exercise Preparation and Safety Tips

Introduction to Exercise Safety Tips
Preview
Posture in Standing Exercise
Posture in Sitting
Diaphragmatic Breathing
How to Integrate Deep Abdominal Muscles Into Your Breathing
Find Your Neutral Pelvic Position
Find Your Neutral Shoulder Position
Find Your Neutral Head and Tongue Position
How to Wrap a Rope Around the Foot
Safely Using a Physio Ball
How to Wrap the Theraband
Body Mechanics Training for Clients
Diaphragmatic Breathing

Exercise Schedules by Level

Note on Exercise Schedules
Beginner 3 Day a Week
Active 3 Day a Week
Athletic 3 Day a Week
Elite 3 Day a Week
Beginner 6 Day a Week
Active 6 Day a Week
Athletic 6 Day a Week
Elite 6 Day a Week

Fall Prevention

Introduction to Fall Prevention
Preview
Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale
Fall Prevention and Balance Testing
Balance Exercise Application
How to Choose the Right Balance Exercise
Foot Positioning Tips
Foot and Ankle Self-Massage and Stretch

Beginner and Active Balance

Balance Variations
Physio Ball Balance Exercise
Rehabilitative Balance Exercises in Standing Position
Rehabilitative Balance Exercises Against the Wall
Beginner Balance Exercises in Standing Position
Beginner: How to Modify Your Stance
Active Balance Exercises in Static Position
Active Balance Exercises with Walking and Turning
Balance and Fall Prevention Exercise Resources

Posture Analysis Retraining

Introduction to Posture Analysis Retraining
Preview
Posture Assessment
Posture Assessment and Cuing
Flexicurve Demonstration
Improving Postural Alignment • Tips
Posture Exercises • Application
Posture Improvement Resources

Core Exercise Theory

Introduction to Core Exercise Theory
Preview
Application of Core Exercises Theory • Part A
Beginner and Active Core Exercises Demonstration • Part B
Core Exercise Resources

Flexibility Theory and Exercises

Introduction to Flexibility Theory and Exercises
Preview
Safe and Effective Flexibility Exercises
Active or Static Stretching
Quadricep Stretch in Standing
Quadricep Stretch on Stomach
Quadricep Stretch on Side
Calf Stretch
Lower Hamstring Stretch
Upper Hamstring Stretch
Iliopsoas Stretch in Kneeling
Iliopsoas Stretch in Standing
Chest Stretch in Doorway
Ankle Stretch
Lat Stretch
Inner Thigh Stretch with Bent Knees
Inner Thigh Stretch with Straight Knees
Hip Rotator Stretch
Spinal Stretch
Flexibility Exercises Resources

Weight Bearing and Cardiovascular Exercise

Introduction to Weight Bearing and Cardiovascular
Preview
Weight Bearing Application
Running and Osteoporosis
Guide to Nordic Walking
Weight Bearing Considerations
Weight Bearing Aerobic Exercises Resources

Contraindicated Exercises

Contraindicated Exercises
Ten Exercises to Avoid if You Have Osteoporosis

Vertebral Fracture Management

Introduction to Vertebral Fracture Management
Preview
Vertebral Fracture Management
How to Use FRAX
FRAX Score Interpretation
How to Treat a Compression Fracture

Beginner and Active Strength Theory

Strength Training for Beginner and Active Levels
Beginner Strength Application

Beginner and Active Warmups

Beginner Energy Tree
Beginner Curtsey Lunge
Beginner Marching
Active Energy Tree
Preview
Active Curtsey Lunge
Active Marching
Marching for Beginner and Active • Professional Tip

Beginner Strength Exercises

Wall and Ball Squats
Preview
Wall and Ball Squats • Professional Tip
Reverse Fly
Reverse Lunge Between Chairs
Horse Stance Vertical
Bridging
Bow and Arrow
Bow and Arrow • Professional Tip
Alternating Leg Lifts in Prone
Side Lying Leg Lifts
Side Lying Leg Lifts • Professional Tip
Angels in the Snow
Wall Pushup
Standing Biceps Curl
Triceps Extension from the Floor
Heel Drops
Modified Heel Drops (Integrated into 8 Brocade)
Abdominal Activation

Active Strength Exercises

Chair Squats
Preview
Floor M
Forward Lunge
Forward Lunge • Professional Tip
Horse Stance Horizontal
Bridging with Weight on Pelvis
Row with Support
Hip Raises with Feet on Chair
Side Lying Leg Lift with Weight
Pullovers from Floor
Step Push Up
Step Push Up • Professional Tip
Alternating Bicep Curls in Standing
Triceps Extension
Step Ups
Abdominal Activation with Leg Drop

Osteoporosis in Special Populations

Osteoporosis in Special Populations

Tai Chi

Tai Chi Theory
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Demonstration

Resources You Can Use

Introduction to Resources
Preview
Recommended Resources
Preview
Osteoporosis Exercise Programs
Preview
Postural Improvement
Preview
Balance and Fall Prevention Exercises
Preview
Weight Bearing Aerobic Exercises
Preview
Flexibility Exercise Routines
Preview
Yoga and Osteoporosis
Preview
Core Exercise Program
Preview
Activities of Daily Living Guide

Course Conclusion

Conclusion, Thank You and Goodbye

What You Get

Every day in the United States, 10,000 people turn 65, and the number of older adults will more than double over the next several decades and represent over 20 percent of the population by 2050. (Source: AARP.)

An aging population means increased demand for health and fitness professionals able to treat clients concerned with their bone health. This course trains you to meet that need.

Over 12,000 Physical Therapists and Fitness Professionals across the United States and Canada have completed Building Better Bones! Join this community and start serving this important and growing audience.

Course Objectives
By the end of Building Better Bones, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the medical management of osteoporosis, including recognition of risk factors, interpretation of medical test results, use of medications, as well as other conditions that impact bone health. 

  2. Describe the management of vertebral compression fractures and how the utilization of proper body mechanics and stronger back extensor mechanics decreases the risk of fracture.

  3. Administer the Senior Fitness Test and use the results to develop and implement a safe and effective exercise program for Beginner and Active patients incorporating a multi-modal approach appropriate to the patient's fracture risk.

Who Should Take This Course
This course is for Physical Therapists, Physiotherapists, PTAs, Kinesiologists, Certified Exercise Physiologists, and Certified Fitness Professionals.

Course Structure
This course is divided into 20 comprehensive sections to make sure you get the smoothest learning experience possible. We start with the fundamentals and from there deliver the tools you need to work with patients and clients concerned about their bone health.

  1. Fundamentals of Osteoporosis - Key fundamentals you should understand about bone health, including bone physiology, risk factors, effects of exercise on bone health, nutrition, pharmaceutical intervention, and hormone replacement therapy.

  2. Assessment - How to assess your patient/client.

  3. Exercise Preparation and Safety Tips - Tips on how to exercise safely.

  4. Exercise Schedules - Recommended exercise schedules by level.

  5. Fall Prevention - How to test balance and reduce fall risk. 

  6. Beginner and Active Balance - Recommended balance exercises for Beginner and Active levels.

  7. Posture Analysis Retraining - How to assess posture.

  8. Core Exercises - Core exercise theory and bone health.

  9. Flexibility Theory - Flexibility fundamentals you need to know.

  10. Flexibility Exercises - Recommended flexibility exercises.

  11. Weight Bearing and Cardiovascular Exercise - How weight bearing exercise affects bone health.

  12. Alternative Approaches - Alternative approaches to bone building.

  13. Contraindicated Exercises - Exercises and movements to avoid.

  14. Vertebral Fracture Management - How to assess and treat compression fractures.

  15. Beginner and Active Strength Theory - The role of strength training in bone health.

  16. Beginner and Active Warmups - Warmup exercises for Beginner and Active levels.

  17. Beginner Strength Exercises - Recommended strength exercises for Beginner level.

  18. Active Strength Exercises - Recommended strength exercises for Active level.

  19. Osteoporosis in Special Populations - How osteoporosis affects special populations.

  20. Tai Chi - Tai Chi theory and routine for bone health.

FAQs

How long can I access the course?

Once you buy the course, you’ll have lifetime access to all of its content.

Is this a subscription service? Will I have to pay an ongoing fee?

There is no ongoing fee. Once you purchase the course, you can access it at anytime for as long as you like.

Do you offer discounts for groups of professions in the same clinic or club?

Yes, we do. Please contact Richard on our Contact page and let him know your situation. He will get back to you with pricing that meets your needs.

Is this the same course as the one you did for MedBridge Education?

Yes, it is. However, we have updated many of the sections to make the content more current and we have added new sections and resources.

Is the purchase price in U.S. dollars?

Yes.

Can I purchase it in my local currency?

No. The course purchase price is denominated in U.S. dollars only.

Can I look at individual course lectures multiple times?

You can look at the individual lessons as often as you want to.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

If the course doesn't live up to your expectations, I'll provide a full refund within 14 days from purchase as long as you provide me with feedback for how I can improve the course. 

When does the course start and finish?

When you enrol, you get immediate access to the entire collection of videos and worksheets. It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

Who can I contact if I still have questions?

If you still have questions after reading this page, feel free to reach out to Richard on our Contact page.

Can I get CEUs for my professional association?

We do not offer CEUs, however, we will issue a certificate of completion stating the number of study hours that you can present to your governing body.

Margaret Martin

I am a Physical Therapist with over 38 years of clinical experience helping people achieve their health goals, stay strong and age well. 

I am the author of three books (including an Amazon bestseller) on exercise and bone health. I have also produced numerous home workout videos and courses for patients and health professionals.

My Physical Therapy clinic in Ottawa is focussed on bone health, osteoporosis, and exercise for successful aging.

Keep Up With The Latest Developments in Bone Health

Get the latest information on how to improve your bone density, product updates, launch announcements, and more by joining my newsletter.

You're signing up to receive emails from MelioGuide