In Australia, osteoporosis affects 1.2 million residents, with a further estimated 6.3 million people living with low bone density, or osteopenia.

Tamworth residents, such as Eric Rodstrom, are about to be given a new lease on life, after Pro-Activ exercise physiologist Amy Clift launched a "research based program" which aims to get people up, and keep them on, their feet.

For Mr Rodstrom a lifetime of lifting heavy loads of commercial laundry finally caught up, when he was diagnosed in 2013.

While the disease left him in considerable back and hip pain, it was mentally where he felt it most.

"It is very debilitating, because the pain doesn't allow you to think straight," he said.

"Also your brain says 'I can do this' and your body says 'no you can't."

Seven weeks ago Mr Rodstrom joined Ms Clift's program, and is already reaping the benefits.

"The get up and go, had got up and gone, but this program has encouraged me to get up and go again, and catch up with the gone," he said.

Ms Clift identified a growing need for a local 'specialist preventative fracture program', so went about creating Tamworth's first, where patients "can join group exercise sessions with others in the same condition."

"The sessions will work to rebuild muscle mass, agility, balance and eventually bone density - working to reverse the effect of the disease," she said. The great thing is that it is exercise based, with little or no need for medication."