Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Meet Your Functional Medicine Practitioners

Find Whole-Body Osteoporosis Treatment from an Experienced Team - Address the Root Cause to Restore Bone Density

What if osteoporosis didn’t have to be an inevitable part of the aging process? And what if you could identify and address the root cause to prevent or even reverse osteoporosis? At The Healing Collective, Tracy Shulsinger is a provider brining who brings more than 15 years of experience and a specialization in functional osteopenia and osteoporosis treatment. Through a functional medicine approach, Tracy and The Healing Collective team provide screening, lab testing and natural treatments to address bone density issues that plague many people, especially women, as they age.


Patients are looking for alternatives to traditionally recommended osteoporosis medications such as Boniva and Fosamax. These pharmaceuticals are bisphosphonates that come with a range of side effects, including bone, joint, muscle pain, rashes, ulcers, and renal function impairment; long-term use is linked to thigh fractures and jaw bone decay. Adherence to bisphosphonates is low, with 50% of patients stopping the medication within 12 months due to side effects. Furthermore, this medicine regimen has been ineffective in reducing the fracture risk for many.


In her protocol for osteoporosis, Tracy focuses on the factors that cause the disease to provide effective osteoporosis prevention strategies and treatment options. 

What Are Osteopenia and Osteoporosis?

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are conditions in which the bones are weak and there is low bone density. Osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis, does not typically have symptoms. However, bone mineral density (BMD) is decreased in osteopenia and can lead to osteoporosis, the more severe, advanced condition that weakens bones and changes the bone tissue structure making them susceptible to fractures. 

What Are the Risk Factors for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis?

Both osteopenia and osteoporosis result from the body losing bone density, which can happen for a number or reasons. Risk factors for these conditions include:

  • Insufficient intake of calcium and Vitamin D
  • Intake of pharmaceuticals like steroids
  • Genetic factors
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Low levels of physical activity
  • Low body mass index
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Hormonal changes such as menopause
  • Age over 50

A healthy bone structure looks like a honeycomb. When bone density decreases, the structure’s holes become larger, weakening the structure. A bone density scan is the only way to determine if a patient has osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Specialized, Non-Invasive Bone Density Testing at The Healing Collective

Because there are rarely osteopenia or osteoporosis symptoms until there is a bone fracture, bone density testing is crucial. Tracy can order you a Bone Density Scan which enables accurate, reliable, non-invasive assessment and monitoring of bone density. This ultrasound testing is a safe, effective alternative to the DEXA scan used in a traditional medical setting.


If the bone density test results reveal areas of concern, the patient can then get a DEXA scan for a more thorough evaluation. But, many people won’t need to have the DEXA scan, and the BeamMed assessment can rule out osteoporosis. 

Functional Medicine for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

Tracy Shulsinger, FNP, takes a functional medicine approach to these bone density conditions and counsels patients on lifestyle changes they can make to prevent further deterioration or even reverse the condition. 


Effective treatments and lifestyle changes for osteopenia and osteoporosis include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Smoking and alcohol cessation
  • Nutritional adjustments
  • Supplementation - calcium by itself isn’t enough, but the right form of calcium with microcrystalline hydroxyapatite compound (MCHC) can help regrow bone
  • Cannabinoid therapy with CBG and CBD - two non-psychoactive cannabinoids that help the body increase osteoblastic activity to regenerate bone
  • Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy- estrogen can prevent further bone loss, while testosterone can increase bone density

With these pillars of functional medicine treatment, Tracy Shulsinger, FNP can help patients experience optimal results without the need for traditional medical interventions and risky pharmaceuticals. We can also order testing to monitor patients progress to see how they are responding to treatment. 

Choose The Healing Collective for an Effective Approach to Osteoporosis

Tracy Shulsinger and The Healing Collective team are dedicated to letting patients know they have options when it comes to osteopenia and osteoporosis treatment. By addressing the root cause of the condition and implementing lifestyle changes and supplemental therapies, patients can stop the advancement of bone density loss and promote bone regeneration. Osteoporosis doesn’t have to be inevitable, even if you have risk factors. Our team helps you take a proactive, functional medicine approach to your health so you can live your best life. 

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