By Callie Trolson, OsteoStrong Center Manager
OsteoStrong Explanation
As many of you know, OsteoStrong is equipped with a unique technology called Spectrum. These Spectrum machines allow us to use a technique called osteogenic loading to emulate the high impact forces that are required to strengthen bone. It allows members to load the necessary amount of force onto the skeleton to trigger osteogenesis, which is our natural bone growth process. This is currently the safest way to load the skeletal system with enough force to stimulate natural bone growth while reducing the risk of injury. The once-weekly schedule at OsteoStrong is rooted in the science of bone remodeling and the body’s natural ability to rebuild and strengthen bone.
The Science Behind OsteoStrong
Wolff’s law serves as the foundation of osteogenic loading, demonstrating how the right amount of force stimulates bone growth and strengthens the skeletal system. Wolff’s Law states that bones adapt to the forces placed on them, becoming stronger when subjected to stress. Research, including the 2012 Deere and Tobias study, found that applying 4.2 times your body weight to bones is the optimal force needed to trigger this natural bone-building process in the hip and lower extremity, known as osteogenesis. Inspired by these findings, Dr. John Jaquish (a biomedical engineer) developed the OsteoStrong Spectrum machines, which are designed to safely apply this high level of force. These machines allow users to effectively stimulate bone strength and density, offering a scientifically-backed NATURAL solution to enhance bone health, especially as we age.
External Loads Required to Build Bone
OsteoStrong’s Spectrum machines provide a safe and controlled way to achieve high impact forces, allowing members to load up to 10-14x their body weight without stress on the joints. The only other way to achieve these levels of load is through high-impact exercises like gymnastics or Olympic weightlifting. However, these activities come with a high risk of injury and can accelerate joint deterioration, making them less safe and sustainable for many individuals. The type of force achieved at OsteoStrong provides so much stimulus to the body, that if we were to do a session more than once a week, we could actually slow the process of building bone due to how they remodel at a cellular level.
Bone Remodeling Process
Bone remodeling relies on two key cell types: osteoclasts, which break down old bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which build new bone. Together, they maintain bone strength and integrity. Until about age 30, osteoblasts are more active than osteoclasts, allowing bone to build faster than it breaks down—yet still maintaining a healthy balance. Around 30, however, osteoclast activity begins to outpace osteoblasts, causing bone breakdown to accelerate, which is a natural part of aging.That is, until OsteoStrong developed a groundbreaking approach to reverse this process.
At OsteoStrong, we have the ability to slow or even reverse the aging process of bones by restimulating more osteoblasts activity, allowing them to function alongside the osteoclasts at a cellular level to promote optimal bone remodeling. This high intensity stimulus produced during an OsteoStrong session creates significant yet temporary fatigue in the bone cells, triggering the bone remodeling process. Since bone remodeling is a slow process, bone cells require an average of 5-12 days to fully recover. This recovery period is crucial as bone cells need adequate rest to properly respond to the stress experienced during the session. When sessions become too frequent, the body does not have enough time to repair and recover completely, which can hinder progress and lead to further breakdown therefore reversing the effects we are looking to achieve. By spacing OsteoStrong sessions one week apart, we ensure the body has enough time to repair and strengthen bones, maximizing the effectiveness of the program. This approach provides the best opportunity to increase overall strength, bone density, and bone health.
The Take Away
OsteoStrong recognizes that bone adaptation takes time. By leveraging specialized devices and a unique technique, we safely enhance the body’s ability to remodel bone. However, to maximize results, it is essential to follow the program’s design of weekly sessions. Attending sessions more than once per week can actually disrupt the natural remodeling process, slowing progress rather than accelerating it. If you miss a weekly OsteoStrong session, we advise against making it up by attending two sessions in one week. Instead, we recommend opting for a make up regenerative therapy session to further support your body’s natural bone remodeling process. If you are unfamiliar with our regenerative therapies, please click HERE to read more.