Bone density scans and bone strength program in Leichhardt
Find out where your bones stand with a DEXA bone density scan, interpreted in the same appointment — then build bone and muscle with a short, supervised strength program designed around your result.
Why bone health matters
Osteoporosis has no symptoms until a bone breaks. A scan is the only way to know your bone density before a fracture tells you.
Source: Healthy Bones Australia, Osteoporosis and Fractures in Australia: A Burden of Disease Analysis 2023–2033 (2024).
Who should have a bone density scan?
A scan is worth considering if you are a woman over 50, a man over 50 with risk factors, anyone aged 70 or over, or anyone who has broken a bone from a fall at standing height or less. It is also recommended if any of the following apply.
Hormonal
- Menopause, especially early menopause (before 45)
- Missed or absent periods (amenorrhoea)
- Low testosterone in men
- Overactive thyroid, parathyroid or adrenal conditions
- Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Medical conditions
- Coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or other malabsorption
- Previous gastrointestinal or bariatric surgery
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic liver or kidney disease
- Anorexia or other disordered eating
- Stress fractures or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Medications
- Corticosteroids for three months or more — commonly used for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
- Hormone therapy for breast or prostate cancer
- Some anti-epileptic, antidepressant (SSRI) and HIV medications
- GLP-1 medications for weight loss, where substantial weight is being lost
Lifestyle and body weight
- Low levels of physical activity
- Current or past smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Low calcium or vitamin D intake
- Low body weight or BMI
- Parent with a hip fracture or osteoporosis
How the scan works
Bone density is measured on our Hologic Horizon DEXA scanner — the same technology used for clinical osteoporosis diagnosis.
Quick and painless
You lie on the scanning table in light clothing while the scanner arm passes over your lower back and hip. Each site takes a couple of minutes.
Very low radiation
A spine and hip scan delivers a few microsieverts — comparable to a day or two of natural background radiation, and a small fraction of a chest X-ray.
Results in the room
Your results are available within minutes and explained in the same appointment: normal, low bone mass (osteopenia) or osteoporosis, and what that means for your fracture risk.
Understanding your result
Your bone density is compared with two reference groups. Which score is used depends on your age and menopausal status.
T-score — women after menopause and men aged 50 and over
Compares your bone density with that of a healthy young adult at peak bone mass.
| T-score | Classification |
|---|---|
| −1.0 or higher | Normal bone density |
| Between −1.0 and −2.5 | Low bone mass (osteopenia) |
| −2.5 or lower | Osteoporosis |
Z-score — premenopausal women, men under 50 and younger adults
Compares your bone density with people of the same age and sex. A Z-score of −2.0 or lower is below the expected range for age and warrants a conversation with your GP about secondary causes.
Fracture risk, not just a number
Bone density is one part of fracture risk. Your result is combined with your age, history and risk factors to estimate your 10-year fracture risk using the FRAX and Garvan calculators, so you and your GP can decide whether medication, exercise or both are appropriate.
If your bone density is low
Bone responds to load. High-intensity, progressive resistance and impact training, supervised and built up gradually, is now recommended for people with low bone mass — and it improves strength, balance and muscle at the same time, which lowers the risk of the falls that cause fractures.
Short, focused sessions
The bone-loading component takes 10–15 minutes, two to three times a week, and fits into a broader active lifestyle.
Supervised and progressive
Technique is taught first, then load is built up safely over the 12 weeks — including for people who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Works alongside medication
Exercise complements bone medication prescribed by your GP or specialist. It does not replace it. We send your results to your doctor on request.
The 12-week bone strength program
Initial consult and bone density scan
Spine and hip DEXA scan, history, medications and risk factors reviewed, fracture risk estimated and results explained.Customised gym program
A 12-week progressive program in our onsite gym combining pin-loaded and plate-loaded strength training, balance training and dynamic core strength progression.12-week review scan and consult
A repeat scan and consult to check your progress — muscle mass, strength gains and bone density compared with your baseline — and to set your next phase.
What the gym program includes
Pin-loaded strength training
Selectorised machines guide the movement path, so load can be built up safely while technique and confidence develop. Ideal for starting out and for targeting the hips, thighs, back and arms.
Plate-loaded strength training
Free-weight and plate-loaded exercises such as squats, deadlifts and presses load the spine and hips through whole-body movement — the high-intensity loading bone responds to. Introduced once technique is secure and progressed in small steps.
Balance training
Static and dynamic balance exercises, progressed from a stable base to reduced support, changes of direction and stepping. Better balance reduces the falls that cause most hip and wrist fractures.
Dynamic core strength progression
Trunk strength built from controlled bracing to loaded carries, anti-rotation and movement-based work, supporting posture and spinal extension and protecting the spine under load.
Choose your option
Bone density scan and consult
- Lumbar spine and hip DEXA scan
- T-score and Z-score
- 10-year fracture risk estimate
- Results explained the same day
- Written report, sent to your GP on request
12-week bone strength program
- Initial consult and bone density scan ($150)
- 12-week customised gym program: pin-loaded and plate-loaded strength, balance and dynamic core training ($300)
- 12-week review scan and consult ($150)
After the program
- Continued access to the gym, including pin-loaded and plate-loaded strength equipment
- Continue progressive loading if you are responding
- Or move to a maintenance program
- Next steps are based on your review scan
A private health fund rebate may be available under extras cover; check with your fund before booking. There is no Medicare rebate for bone density scans at this clinic. Already having a body composition scan? See DEXA body composition scans.
Before you book
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. If your GP or specialist has asked for a scan, bring their letter and we will send them a copy of your report.
How do I prepare?
- Do not take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the scan — tablets in the gut can overlie the spine and affect the reading.
- Wear light clothing with no metal around the waist or hips: zips, buttons, studs, belts or underwire.
- You do not need to fast for a bone density scan.
Is it safe?
Yes. The dose is a few microsieverts, comparable to a day or two of natural background radiation. The scan is not performed if you are or may be pregnant.
What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?
Osteopenia is bone density below normal but above the osteoporosis threshold (a T-score between −1.0 and −2.5). Osteoporosis is a T-score of −2.5 or lower, or a fracture from minimal trauma. Most fractures actually occur in people with osteopenia, which is why your overall fracture risk matters as much as the classification.
Is heavy exercise safe if I have osteoporosis?
For most people, yes, when it is supervised and progressed gradually. Supervised high-intensity resistance and impact training has been studied in postmenopausal women with low bone mass with good safety and improvements in bone density and function. Technique and load are individualised, and movements are modified if you have had a spinal fracture.
How often should I have a bone density scan?
It depends on your result and treatment. A meaningful change in bone density usually takes 6–12 months to show; many people rescan every one to two years. If you are in the bone strength program, your 12-week review guides when your next bone scan is due.
Can I have a bone density scan and a body composition scan together?
Yes. Both are done on the same scanner. Let us know when booking and we will allow time for both.
Is there a Medicare rebate?
There is no Medicare rebate for bone density scans at this clinic. A private health fund rebate may be available under extras cover depending on your fund and level of cover. A Medicare rebate may apply to physiotherapy consultations with an eligible GP chronic condition management referral.
Clinical detail
For GPs, specialists and anyone who wants the full picture before booking.
Sites and analysis
AP lumbar spine (L1–L4) and proximal femur (femoral neck and total hip), reported with BMD, T-score and Z-score. Vertebrae affected by degenerative change or artefact are identified and excluded where appropriate, and the report states what was and was not analysed.
Fracture risk
10-year probability of major osteoporotic and hip fracture estimated with FRAX and the Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator, using femoral neck BMD and clinical risk factors.
Exercise prescription
Progressive high-intensity resistance and impact training based on the LIFTMOR/ONERO approach, adapted to fracture history, thoracic kyphosis and comorbidities, alongside strength and balance assessment.
Serial monitoring
Repeat scans use the same scanner, protocol and positioning. Change is interpreted against the least significant change for each site, so small shifts within measurement error are not reported as real change.
Scan not performed
- Pregnancy, or possible pregnancy
Contact us before booking
- Barium studies or imaging with contrast media in the past 14 days
- Nuclear medicine scans in the past 7 days
- Spinal surgery, hip replacement or other metal implants at the scan sites
Contrast, recent nuclear medicine and metal can affect measured values. Where any applies, we will advise whether to reschedule or which site to scan.
Results are reported for clinical decision-making by the referring or treating doctor. Pharmacological management remains with the client's GP or specialist.
Book your bone density scan
Questions first? Anton usually replies the same day.
Location
Suite 5 Level 1, 267–277 Norton Street
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Free on-site parking
Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8am – 8pm
Tuesday, Thursday
8am – 3pm