Researchers asked people with bone diseases like osteoporosis how they handle pain and what treatments work best for them. Most people surveyed were women over 55 dealing with moderate bone disease. They found that people use a mix of approaches: taking pain medications prescribed by doctors, adding vitamin D and calcium to their diet, and trying non-medication methods like exercise or physical therapy. Interestingly, older patients were more open to trying these non-medication approaches than younger ones. The study shows that people want more research into better pain relief options and believe that combining different treatment methods helps them feel better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How do people with bone diseases manage their pain? What treatments do they use, and which ones work best for them?
  • Who participated: Mostly women aged 55-60 years old who had gone through menopause and were dealing with bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. They filled out an anonymous online survey in 2021.
  • Key finding: People with bone disease use multiple pain management strategies together: medications prescribed by doctors (especially pain relievers), vitamin D and calcium supplements, and non-medication methods like physical therapy or exercise. Older patients (56-60) were more willing to try non-medication approaches than younger patients (46-50).
  • What it means for you: If you have a bone disease, combining different pain management approaches—not relying on just one method—may help you feel better. Talk with your doctor about what combination works best for your situation. Non-medication options like movement and supplements appear helpful, especially as you get older.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of people’s experiences at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Participants answered an anonymous online survey with questions about their bone disease, how much pain they had, and what treatments they used. The survey asked about both medication-based treatments (like pain pills) and non-medication approaches (like exercise, physical therapy, or dietary changes). Researchers then looked at the patterns in the answers to see what treatments people actually used and which age groups preferred which approaches.

Understanding what real patients do to manage their pain is important because it shows what actually works in everyday life, not just in controlled medical settings. This information helps doctors understand what their patients want and need, and it can guide future research into better pain management options.

This study has some important limitations to keep in mind. The researchers didn’t specify exactly how many people answered the survey, which makes it hard to know how reliable the results are. The survey only captured people’s experiences at one moment in time, so we don’t know if their pain management strategies stayed the same or changed later. The study also didn’t include a comparison group, so we can’t say whether these approaches work better than other options. However, the anonymous nature of the survey likely encouraged honest answers about what people actually do.

What the Results Show

The study found that people with bone diseases use a combination of treatment approaches rather than relying on just one method. Doctors most commonly recommended pain medications (especially pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) as the first line of treatment. Alongside medications, vitamin D and calcium supplements were very commonly used, which makes sense because these nutrients are important for bone health. Importantly, many people also reported using non-medication pain relief methods, such as physical therapy, exercise, stretching, or other hands-on treatments. The survey showed that people’s willingness to try non-medication approaches varied by age. Younger patients (ages 46-50) were less interested in trying these alternative methods, while older patients (ages 56-60) were much more open to them. When asked why they chose certain treatments, patients often said it came down to ‘how it made me feel’—meaning they stuck with whatever actually reduced their pain and improved their quality of life.

An interesting secondary finding was that a large number of respondents believed more research is needed into pain relief options for bone diseases. This suggests that people with these conditions feel current treatment options may not be adequate and want better solutions. Additionally, when directly asked whether non-medication pain relief treatments play a sufficient role in managing their bone pain, most people answered ‘yes,’ indicating they found these approaches valuable. This suggests that people are looking for a more balanced approach to pain management rather than relying solely on medications.

This study aligns with previous research showing that patients often prefer using multiple treatment approaches together rather than single treatments. It also supports earlier findings that older adults tend to be more open to non-medication treatments like physical therapy and exercise. However, this study adds new information by specifically examining bone disease patients and showing how their preferences vary by age group. The finding that patients want more research into pain relief options reflects a broader trend in healthcare where patients are seeking more personalized and comprehensive treatment plans.

The study has several important limitations. First, the exact number of people surveyed wasn’t specified, which makes it difficult to know how representative the results are. Second, because this was a snapshot in time (cross-sectional), we don’t know if people’s pain management strategies changed over time or how effective these approaches were long-term. Third, the study only included people who responded to an online survey, which may have excluded older adults or those without internet access. Fourth, the study didn’t compare these patients to a control group, so we can’t say whether these approaches work better than other options. Finally, the study was conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected people’s access to certain treatments or their willingness to try new approaches.

The Bottom Line

If you have a bone disease like osteoporosis, consider working with your doctor to develop a pain management plan that combines multiple approaches: (1) medications prescribed by your doctor when appropriate, (2) vitamin D and calcium supplements to support bone health, and (3) non-medication methods like physical therapy, exercise, or other hands-on treatments. The evidence suggests that combining these approaches may be more effective than using just one method. Start with what your doctor recommends, then gradually add other approaches based on what makes you feel better. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows what people actually do, but more research is needed to prove which combinations work best.

This research is most relevant for people aged 50 and older who have been diagnosed with bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. It’s especially useful for postmenopausal women, who are at higher risk for bone disease. However, the findings may also apply to younger people with bone diseases or men with osteoporosis. If you have a bone disease and are struggling with pain management, these findings suggest you should talk with your doctor about combining different approaches. People without bone disease don’t need to apply these findings, though the general principle of combining treatment approaches may apply to other chronic pain conditions.

Pain relief from medications typically happens within hours to days. Vitamin D and calcium supplements work more slowly—it can take weeks to months to notice improvements in bone health and pain levels. Non-medication approaches like physical therapy may take 2-4 weeks to show benefits, but some people feel better after just a few sessions. The key is consistency: stick with your chosen approaches for at least 4-6 weeks before deciding if they’re working for you.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily pain level (on a scale of 1-10) along with which treatments you used that day. Also note which specific non-medication methods you tried (physical therapy, exercise, stretching, etc.) and how you felt afterward. This creates a personal record showing which combinations work best for your pain.
  • Start by committing to one non-medication pain relief method for 2 weeks—whether that’s a daily 15-minute walk, stretching routine, or physical therapy session. Track how your pain changes during this period. Then gradually add other approaches (like ensuring you take your vitamin D and calcium supplements daily) while continuing to track your pain levels.
  • Create a weekly pain management summary that shows: (1) your average daily pain level, (2) which medications you took and how often, (3) which non-medication methods you used, and (4) your overall satisfaction with your pain control. Review this monthly with your doctor to see which combinations are most effective for you, and adjust your plan accordingly.

This study describes what people with bone diseases actually do to manage their pain, but it does not prove that any particular treatment is safe or effective. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new pain management approach, including supplements, exercises, or alternative treatments. This research is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a bone disease and are experiencing pain, work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific condition and medical history.