Physical therapy is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce fracture risk, restore mobility, and preserve independence—yet it remains underutilized and overlooked in most osteoporosis care models.In this episode of The Bone Health Basement Tapes, we’re joined by Dr. Payal Sahni, PT, DPT, Sr. Physical Therapist at Burke Comprehensive Spine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, the former Program Director of the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (NYSOPEP) at Helen Hayes Hospital and a nationally recognized leader in bone health rehabilitation.Together, we examine the systemic blind spots that have excluded physical therapists from the core of osteoporosis management: reimbursement structures that undervalue movement-based care, siloed specialty practices, and a cultural overreliance on medication over muscle.Dr. Sahni shares insights from her two decades of work at the intersection of clinical care, research, and community outreach—including how evidence-based PT programs are preventing falls, treating complex fracture cases, and reshaping what post-diagnosis support can look like.This conversation challenges conventional frameworks and asks a provocative question: What would bone health look like if physical therapy were treated as essential—not optional?Bio:Dr. Payal Sahni, PT, DPT, HSP, MCMT, is a distinguished physical therapist and educator with over two decades of experience in orthopedic rehabilitation, specializing in bone health and osteoporosis care. She is a Senior Physical Therapist at Burke Comprehensive Spine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center in West Nyack, NY. She has also served as the Program Director of the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (NYSOPEP) at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, New York.Dr. Sahni's academic journey began in India, where she earned her Bachelor's in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and her Master's in Physical Therapy from SBSI Dehradun. She later obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Dominican University in Orangeburg, New York. Throughout her career, Dr. Sahni has been a fervent advocate for integrating physical therapy into bone health management. She has developed evidence-based exercise programs focusing on osteoporosis, balance, fall prevention, and ergonomic assessments. Her commitment to education extends to lecturing at outreach programs for clinicians and patients, emphasizing the importance of strength training and nutrition in maintaining bone health. She has also been at the forefront of developing and teaching osteoporosis-related continuing education programs for rehabilitation professionals.Dr. Sahni's research contributions include publication of the first long term case report on the rehabilitation of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis and vertebral fractures, in The Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery. She has presented numerous papers on osteoporosis rehabilitation at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association.In addition to her clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Sahni served as a medical advisor for Wellen (acquired by OsteoBoost), a platform dedicated to bone health and is a member of the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation’s Ambassador Council.Dr. Sahni's holistic approach to patient care and her dedication to advancing the role of physical therapy in bone health make her a leading voice in the field.

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