Digital Health Solutions for Osteoporosis: Combining Strength Training with Medical Care Featuring Jenni Tarma, EP 151

Thriving Practice with Tracy Cherpeski

Tracy and guest Jenni Tarma dive deep into how healthcare providers can better support patients with osteoporosis through comprehensive, evidence-based care that goes beyond traditional pharmaceutical approaches. Jenni shares how her company, Kaari Prehab, is transforming osteoporosis treatment through digitally-delivered strength training programs that achieve remarkable adherence rates.

We explore why the standard advice of "gentle exercise" isn't enough, how to empower rather than restrict patients, and why strength training is crucial for women's health as they age. This episode is particularly valuable for healthcare providers working with women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who want to offer more comprehensive support for their patients' bone health and overall wellbeing.

Episode Highlights:

- The meaning behind Kaari Prehab's name ("Kaari" is Finnish for "arc")

- How the pandemic transformed their in-person training model into a highly effective digital program

- Why traditional "gentle exercise" advice isn't sufficient for maintaining bone density and muscle mass

- The importance of proper loading and strength training for women over 50

- How Kaari Prehab achieves 80% program adherence through coaching and community support

- The treatment gap in osteoporosis care and why exercise options are often overlooked

- Partnership work with the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation and International Osteoporosis Foundation

Key Insights:

- Exercise is a crucial but often missing component in osteoporosis treatment

- The two-year wait between DEXA scans makes it crucial to provide ongoing support and feedback

- Digital delivery can actually increase program compliance compared to traditional in-person training

- Many active women (including endurance athletes) may still be at risk due to insufficient bone-loading exercise

For Healthcare Providers:

- How to discuss osteoporosis with patients in an empowering rather than limiting way

- Resources available for determining patient suitability for strength training programs

- The importance of comprehensive care combining medical treatment with exercise

- Recent Medicare billing code changes supporting more personalized, preventative care

Notable Quote:

"An osteoporosis diagnosis is not the end of anything. It's a call to action and a reality check... there are absolutely things you can do to take control of the situation." - Jenni Tarma

Jenni’s Bio:

Jenni Tarma is the founder and CEO of Kaari Prehab, a company providing specialized strength training services for people with osteoporosis and osteopenia. With multiple advanced certifications in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, she has spent over a decade coaching everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors. A senior teacher in the Yoga Medicine 500hr program where she mentors new yoga teachers and creates continuing education courses, Jenni is also a prolific writer whose work has appeared in publications like Yoga Journal, Healthline, Weight Watchers, and Thrive Global, and she has self-published an ebook on hamstring tendon injuries.

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