Hi, MelodyJane, and welcome to this forum of nice people. I don't know the answer to whether swimming helps, but it is an exercise so I'm not sure why it wouldn't help at least a little. With all your spinal compression fractures, are you able to walk? I use a treadmill (when my feet cooperate), and I gently bounce (not jump) on a rebounder. But I only have one compression fracture in the spine. There is another exercise called the "stork," where you stand on one foot for 30 seconds and then change feet. Some have suggested weighted vests or belts for added benefit when exercising. My doctor helped to set up a vitamin regimen that has helped my bone density, along with a gluten-free diet. I hope you find something that works for you. Best wishes.

I do walking laps (forward and backward) in our local pool, plus swimming laps for about a half hour workout. My body strength is better when I do it consistently.

Good luck.

Hello nanny1611 and 22Lynn! Thank you both for the warm welcome to this Group!

nanny1611- I can walk & care for myself. Gross motor skills are of relatively little effort now, yet something simple as reaching over to get a pencil from the drawer will flatten me for 2 days. 4 fractures are in my Thoracic spine just between the shoulder blades & the 5th is in the Lumbar spine. I am curious to know what vitamins & supplements your doctor has you on- perhaps there is a supplement or vitamin I am missing! My former ortho wanted to put me on Forteo, but I flat out refused. I'm still looking for an ortho that is more open minded...

22Lynn- Thank You! :) it's comforting to know that you benefit greatly from swimming! I now have the confidence that swimming will be a benefit for me!

Hugs and a Smile! MelodyJane

MelodyJane, my doctor told me to take calcium, magnesium, vitamin d3, and vitamin k2 each morning, and then take strontium citrate each evening. For me it has worked well, because after 3+ years, I gained bone density and my spine quit hurting and feels stronger.

Thank you for the information, nanny1611!
I take the cal/mag, D3, K2(mk-7) & potassium iodide with L-Tyrosine. When I had blood work done before the ortho was ready to prescribe the Forteo, she checked my Thyroid function, as it too plays a role in assisting bone formation. I am interested in the Strontium Citrate & will research how this supplement aids bone formation!
Hugs and Thank You!

If you find you can't swim because of lifting your arms causes pain in your back you can do laps with a kick board. That really got my legs in a much better shape. Good luck.

22Lynn- I can lift my arms over my head thankfully. Swimming is amazing- it decompressed my spine & I was able to stand up straight- I have a slight Dowager's Hump as well as Scoliosis bending me to the left.
The downside was gravity eventually took over later in the day & I "wilted back down". I will get stronger eventually!
Hugs!

Hi MelodayJane and welcome to the group! I do a lot of exercise and it is all weight bearing but I have always found swimming to be very tiring and can only swim enough to save myself in a pool if necessary. :-) It is great that you are able to do that and I do think it builds your arm and leg strength but not in a compressive fashon like lifting weights and walking. I'm sure it gives you tremendous tensile strength in your bones if not the compressive type but I always hear you want bones like steel which has tensile strength and not cement with the compressive strength but I would think we need both. Even a little walking can help and I probably need to do some swimming.