Below is a summary from Dr. John Jacquish’s book on “Osteogenic Loading.” Stimulated by the fact that his Mom was diagnosed with osteoporosis, Dr. Jacquish did a deep dive into how to help his mom increase bone density. He took this information and utilized his background in engineering to develop specialized machines that would enable his mom to create a necessary stimulus to increase bone density in a safe manner.
His book influenced purchase of our technology and equipment. ARX allows us to deliver a stimulus in a safe and effective in the same way that Dr. Jacquish’s specialized machines do.
🦴
Core Principles of Osteogenic Loading
1. Bone Responds to Mechanical Loading (Wolff’s Law)
- The foundational scientific principle is Wolff’s law: bones adapt over time to the mechanical loads they experience—higher loads signal bones to increase mass and strength.
- Osteogenic loading specifically aims to place high axial compressive forces through the skeleton to stimulate remodeling and increase bone mineral density (BMD).
2. High-Force Threshold Matters
- Research cited in this field suggests there’s a threshold of mechanical force required to trigger bone growth. Forces above about 4.2× body weight (multiples of body weight, or MOB) are thought necessary to reliably stimulate osteogenesis—especially in high-risk areas like the hip.
- Typical daily activities or conventional resistance training often don’t reach these high force levels, so osteogenic loading focuses on safely achieving greater intensity loads that mimic high-impact forces without risky impact.
📊
Research and Evidence
1. Published and Ongoing Studies
- Jaquish and collaborators have published pilot research showing osteogenic loading can increase bone density when applied with specialized equipment.
- For example, some studies have reported significant gains in BMD at the hip and spine after consistent loading over ~6–12 months.
- In a case report, hip and lumbar spine aBMD increased by ~15–17% after 24 weeks of brief, intense weekly loading sessions using osteogenic devices.
2. Mechanistic Understanding
- Bone cells (osteocytes) sense mechanical strain and signal for remodeling. Consistent high load stimulates osteoblast activity (bone-building cells) and increases mineral deposition.
- Bone turnover markers (biochemical tests) often show changes consistent with increased bone formation following high mechanical loads in clinical studies.
3. Skeletal and Functional Benefits
- Beyond density, osteogenic loading methods are also associated with improved muscle force production, balance, and overall musculoskeletal strength, which are crucial for reducing fall and fracture risk.
⚠️ Note: Large-scale randomized controlled trials on the osteogenic loading devices themselves are still limited, and some claims are based on observational or smaller studies rather than wide clinical consensus.
🏋️
Training Methods Used
1. Brief, Intense Loading Sessions
- The approach emphasizes short, infrequent sessions (often once weekly) with high levels of self-imposed axial compression. These sessions typically last only several minutes and focus on reaching maximal comfortable force.
2. Specialized Devices and Positions
- Jaquish developed patented equipment (e.g., bioDensity and later systems) to safely replicate high-impact loads in static or slow movements. Users exert force against immovable resistance—creating high skeletal loads without dynamic impact.
- Sessions usually include multiple positions targeting key areas:
- Leg/hip loading
- Chest (axial upper body compression)
- Spinal/core loading
- Upper limb forces
3. Safety and Adaptation
- Because older bones are more vulnerable, these methods emphasize self-regulated effort and safe biomechanics rather than high-impact exercise like jumping.
- The concept is to elicit a high osteogenic stimulus with minimal injury risk, especially in populations with low bone density.
4. Progress Over Time
- As force capacity increases, users typically progress by safely increasing their exerted forces rather than increasing reps or session duration. This aligns with bone’s adaptive response to higher magnitudes of strain.
Summary:
| Aspect | Key Points |
| Scientific Basis | Bone adapts to load (Wolff’s law); mechanical strain stimulates remodeling. |
| Target Stimulus | Forces above ~4.2× body weight seem necessary for optimal osteogenic response. |
| Methodology | Short, intense, high-force loading sessions using specialized equipment to safely mimic high-impact forces. |
| Outcomes Observed | Increases in bone mineral density; improved strength and balance in some studies. |
| Safety Focus | Self-regulated effort, controlled positions to reduce injury risk versus traditional impact activities. Â |