Background. This article presents outcome in the treatment of osteoporosis using two different therapeutic models. Specifically, traditional pharmacotherapy (bisphosphonians, calcitonine, hormone replacement therapy) is compared with physicotherapy, including kinesitherapy in combination with magnetotherapy and laser biostimulation.Material and methods. We examined a group of 120 women ranging from 47 to 73 years of age, all of whom were at least 2 years after natural menopause. In each case, bone mineral density (BMD) was more than 2.5 standard deviations below the average for young women. The subjects were divided into groups on the basis of the treatment modality: bisphosphonian, intranasal calcitonine, HRT, and physicotherapy. The comparison group consisted of patients who received only calcium and vitamin D3. The experiment lasted for two years.Results. Increased BMD was observed in all groups except the comparison group, though statistically significant improvement occurred only in the bisphosphonian and intranasal calcitonine groups. There was a significant reduction in the tested markers for bone turnover, osteopoiesis, and resorption in all groups. In the physicotherapy group the reduction in bone turnover was more linear, though the largest changes were still seen after the first 6 months. Side effects occurred primarily in the bisphosphonian group, and mainly involved digestive symptoms.Conclusions. Systematic physical exercises, combined with properly chosen physicotherapy, can stimulate processes leading to inhibition of resorption and increased bone mass. Physical agents can thus be useful not only in prevention, but also in the treatment of osteoporosis.