Osteogenic loading

Osteogenic loading (OL) is a rehabilitative medicine method with a goal of improving bone density and prevent bone fracture. This can be seen as a brief, intensive resistance exercise for bone health.

The basis of osteogenic loading stems from Wolff's law, which shows that the force or loading on bone through its axis, can stimulate the bone's natural function of increasing in density. Further study has shown that greater loads on bone can stimulate a greater effect of the body to respond and increase the density of bone, and can show immediate effects in the body via blood testing showing bone turnover markers This high level of loading on bone would typically be seen in high-impact activity, which is not practical for therapy given the risk of injury potential.

OL is an outpatient therapy that is typically used with ambulatory individuals who are able to engage in resistance exercise. Loading/exercise for bone density preservation and improvement is supported by bone health societies and organizations, including the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Osteoporosis Society of the United Kingdom, and the World Health Organization.

In 2007, Dr. John Jaquish created an osteogenic loading device to help bones and muscles absorb high-impact forces in a self-loaded environment. Osteopenic and osteoporotic subjects can reportedly use the device to load 3 times their bodyweight on the spine and over 9 times their bodyweight in the lower extremeties. A 2012 study showed that the device improved bone density in the subjects.