Specialized Course Highlight: GYROTONIC® Applications for Osteoporosis
Blog Content Education // August 30, 2016
Conducted by Dr. Justine Bernard, GYROTONIC® Master Trainer and GYROKINESIS® Trainer
Dr. Justine Bernard, Physical Therapist
Owner, Elements Center Inc. in
Washington, D.C.
www.elementscenter.com
Email: frontdesk@elementscenter.com
Tel: 202.333.5252
What inspired you to develop this course?
“GYROTONIC® Applications for Osteoporosis” is a course that benefits anyone interested in working with a population concerned about bone health.
A diagnosis of osteoporosis can be alarming for clients. Some become afraid to move their spines at all. Others feel uncertain about what types of movements are beneficial for them, while others lack the body awareness or knowledge to avoid potentially harmful movements. They bring this worry into their Gyrotonic sessions.
I wanted to create a course that would give teachers tools and information about how to work safely and confidently within the Gyrotonic system when working with clients who have been diagnosed with, or are concerned about, bone loss/health and preventing falls/fractures.
There are varying levels of severity with osteoporosis. My course includes some modifications of the Gyrotonic Level 1 material that are safe and beneficial for people at each level, as well as new exercises approved by Juliu Horvath to specifically address bone remodeling and balance.
Photo provided by Elements Center
Who is this course intended for, and why should someone take the course?
This course is intended for Gyrotonic instructors who work with older clients, or clients of any age, who have experienced bone loss, or want to improve their balance. In the course students learn to:
- Understand the physiology and recognize the risk factors for osteoporosis and make an educated guess about which of your clients may be affected
- Interpret a bone density (DXA) scan to learn where in your client’s body the bone loss is more or less severe, and tailor exercises accordingly
- Understand what types of medications and other issues your clients may mention in their past medical history that can affect bone density and when to advise your clients to consult a doctor about bone health
- Teach your clients effective exercises to help increase their bone density and improve their posture and balance so that they are less likely to suffer a fall-related bone fracture
- Educate your clients about osteoporosis and be a resource for them if they have ongoing questions
Photo provided by Elements Center
Is there any additional information you would like to add about your course?
The posture and balance information covered in this course is also very helpful for working with any clients who have balance issues or an increased fall risk, including people with peripheral neuropathy, stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, or anyone who has fallen previously.
Client Testimonials
“I am a Gyrotonic teacher of 20 years and a bodyworker for 15. Justine’s osteoporosis course is one of the most clear, fun and useful workshops I have ever taken. I use her exercises every day with clients. Her exercises have helped not only wtih my osteo clients, but anyone needing to work on balance, coordination and strength. Her standing and walking series are unique to this program, and I would recommend everyone take this course to learn these amazing exercises.”
– Heather
“The Osteoporosis for Gyrotonic method is a course that benefits anyone interested in working with a population concerned about bone health. As someone with osteoporosis and osteopenia, I found the course work extremely beneficial for myself and my clientele. I was able to keep my T-Score in my hips steady since doing the program designed by Dr Justine Bernard. Like many of the special courses offered, the exercises developed are fun and encourage the imagination to keep creating within the framework of the program. Justine presents the most up to date research in PowerPoint slides along with an easy to follow take home exercise handout. The course is a full workout leaving you feeling satisfied and wanting more.”
– Amy
“I have several clients for whom osteoporosis is an issue. Before taking Justine’s course, I was wary of having them move their spines much during sessions. After taking the course, I feel much more confident talking to them about their osteoporosis because now I understand their answers better. I’m also much more confident in what movements I’m asking them to make during sessions because I feel I now understand their individual parameters better, and I have more of an overall plan for what I’d like to achieve with each person. I feel like I have a greater pool of ideas for how to approach the goals, and my clients definitely appreciate the new variety too.”
– Julia
“I thought that the GYROTONIC® Applications for Osteoporosis course was incredible. It was well paced and had a nice combination of lecture and movement. I appreciated learning the new material and getting clarification on some questions I’d had for a while. The one-on-one attention given to each student was very helpful in honing the skills of observation and correction. I feel well rehearsed in the material and comfortable working with students with osteoporosis.”
– Helen
For more information about Justine’s 3-day “GYROTONIC® Applications for Osteoporosis” course, including a list of currently offered times and locations for this course, please visit our Specialized Courses page.
To inquire about hosting this course at your studio please contact Dr. Justine Bernard at frontdesk@elementscenter.com
Justine also covers some of this material in the GYROTONIC® Master Class video, “Strategies for Teaching Clients with Osteoporosis: Bones, Balance, and Gait.”
