Bone & Body Blueprint

09/09/2026

Follow-up DEXA scans! When, why?

For bone density, if your first scan is normal and you do not have high-risk factors for osteoporosis, we generally recommend a follow-up scan every 5 years.

For body composition, timing depends on your health and fitness goals.

A follow-up body comp scan can be useful if you are strength training or losing weight - to check that changes are coming from fat loss rather than muscle loss.

Many people also use body composition scans as a yearly health check - a way to keep an eye on muscle mass and visceral fat levels.

The scales can show your weight, but DXA helps show what is actually changing.

07/09/2026

We had the pleasure of welcoming Andrew Bayly MP back into our Pukekohe clinic for a follow-up DXA scan.

It’s always lovely to see clients return and continue building a clearer picture of their health. A first scan gives valuable information, but a follow-up scan can show what has changed. This is where DXA becomes especially useful!

Thanks again for visiting us Andrew. We really appreciate your support and interest in what we do.

02/09/2026

We’ve had two interesting case studies at our clinics where patients had spinal fractures identified through DEXA scanning. These were fractures that were not detected on traditional x-ray.

Vertebral Assessment is a specialised, referral-only DEXA service that we provide in Te Awamutu & Pukekohe. It can be very useful for patients with ongoing pain but no fracture is being seen on x-ray.

Watch our video or read more here:
https://www.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz/blog/post/168852/dexa-scans-for-accurate-digital-vertebral-assessment/

Understand how DEXA scanning goes beyond traditional radiography to...

24/08/2026

Why the scales don't tell the full story! Listen to our latest episode with Anastasia Bennett where Heidi explains body composition scanning including DXA vs scales vs gym (bio-impedance) scanners.

Today’s guest is Heidi Richardson from Bone & Body Blueprint. Heidi...

18/08/2026

We’re proud to share that Bone & Body Blueprint has been nominated for the 2026 NZ Small Business Awards.

As a owner-operated business, this nomination means a lot to us. We love what we do and we’re passionate about helping people better understand their bone health and long-term wellbeing through DXA scanning.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported us, booked in with us or referred to us! We’re very grateful to be part of such supportive local communities in Te Awamutu and Pukekohe. 💙

She Owns It NZ

16/07/2026

Visceral fat is not always obvious from the outside.

You can’t accurately measure visceral fat by looking in the mirror or stepping on the scales.

It is the fat stored deeper in the abdomen, around your internal organs. This is different from the fat that sits just under the skin.

A DXA body composition scan can measure visceral fat and give you a clearer picture of what is happening beneath the surface.

08/07/2026

RMR vs BMR - what’s the difference? Why does it matter?

Both estimate how much energy your body uses at rest, but they are used in slightly different ways.

BMR = your “baseline” energy use under very controlled conditions - usually after fasting, complete rest and no recent exercise. It is useful as a standard reference point.

RMR = measured under more practical real-world testing conditions, so it is often used in nutrition, fitness and metabolic testing.

Our DXA body composition scan will use BMR because it is estimating your baseline energy needs from your body composition - especially your lean muscle mass.

DXA does not directly measure your metabolism, but it does show why two people can weigh the same and have very different energy needs, depending on their muscle mass, fat mass and overall body composition.

30/06/2026

Sarcopenia is the gradual loss of muscle mass, strength and function.

Although common as we age, it is not just about “getting older”. Low muscle mass can affect balance, mobility, strength and independence at any age.

A DXA body composition scan measures your lean muscle mass and how it is distributed through your body. This can be useful information if you are working on strength, recovery, healthy ageing or improving your overall body composition.

23/06/2026

T-scores and Z-scores can be confusing at first glance of your DXA bone density results.

T-score = helps assess whether your bone density is normal, low or in the osteoporosis range.

Z-score = compares your bone density with what is expected for someone your age, gender and ethnicity.

Both scores together help build a clear picture of your bone health.

We’ve got a simple guide to help explain the difference:
https://www.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz/blog/post/142529/understanding-t-scores-z-scores-in-bone-density-scans/w.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz/blog/post/142529/understanding-t-scores-z-scores-in-bone-density-scans/

09/06/2026

Heading to Field Days this week?

If you’re already travelling through the Waikato, it can be a good opportunity to tick a few health checks off the list too. Bone density scans are quick and identify osteoporosis or low bone density before a fracture happens.

Our Te Awamutu clinic is only a short drive from Mystery Creek.
Message us to arrange an appointment time that suits you.

www.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz