Vibration therapy (VT) delivers anabolic mechanical signals to bones and muscles through vibration therapy, mimicking motion and exercise to positively impact muscle function and balance while potentially impacting bone metabolism via regulation of mesenchimal stem cells.
Studies on vibration therapy (VT) vary considerably with respect to vibration frequency and amplitude; however, many report positive outcomes. A recent study demonstrated how whole body vibration therapy improves balance in postmenopausal women and prevents falls.
Physiological Effects
Vibration therapy uses mechanical vibration waves transmitted through the body via a vibrating plate or machine to stimulate muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues in order to improve balance, mobility and flexibility. There is also evidence suggesting vibration therapy may alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and boost metabolism.
Studies have demonstrated that whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy increases muscle tone, balance and coordination while aiding weight loss by increasing blood circulation. Furthermore, WBV improves proprioception – the ability to sense movement and positioning within the body – with multiple studies finding such benefits from WBV treatments.
Vibration stimulates bone-forming cells known as osteoblasts to increase bone density, making WBV an invaluable aid for those living with osteoporosis or other bone conditions. Vibration also has the capacity to increase joint flexibility while decreasing stiffness; some studies indicate its effects may even improve posture, gait and balance in postmenopausal women as well as older adults.
Localized vibration therapy, on the other hand, is an approach that uses small vibrators placed directly onto tendons or muscle bellies to target specific regions of the body at once. Vibrations generated through this therapy may help speed wound healing by increasing blood flow, decreasing exudate accumulation and stimulating nitric oxide expression that promotes tissue regeneration.
Vibration therapy has also seen growing interest as an approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions such as tendon injuries and osteoarthritis. Vibrations cause the body to move in a manner similar to exercise, stimulating muscle and bone growth – providing an alternative approach that may lead to less damage than traditional strength training regimens.
Vibration has been shown to speed the healing process and promote muscle growth for tendons by stimulating production of nitric oxide, an important signaling agent needed for oxygenation of cells and signaling. Furthermore, vibration helps remove lactic acid from muscles which helps prevent injuries and accelerate recovery time.
Frontiers in Physiology has released a study showing how low-frequency, high-intensity vibration therapy may help heal hard-to-heal wounds more effectively. Researchers tested its use on trial participants with leg ulcers or pressure ulcers and concluded it effectively increased blood flow to the area, removed exudate, reduced bacteria count, and promoted nitric oxide expression – all key markers for wound healing. They suggest this form of vibration therapy could be utilized as treatment option for complex chronic wounds such as leg ulcers or pressure ulcers particularly within elderly population populations.
Psychological Effects
Vibration therapy, commonly referred to as whole-body vibration (WBV), has long been recognized for its benefits on health. Vibration therapy has been found to strengthen bones, increase muscle strength, promote cardiovascular wellbeing, speed recovery time and decrease weight. Furthermore, vibration therapy may even enhance cognitive capacity.
Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of vibration therapy in helping alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Each method used involved platforms oscillating at specific frequencies to cause muscle relaxation and promote a state of relaxation and calmness. Furthermore, vibration therapy was found to restore dehydroepiandrosterone hormone production (DHEA), essential to mental wellbeing; unfortunately this decreases as one ages; hence why maintaining a balanced diet as well as adding vibration therapy into daily life routine is vital to keeping up with mental wellbeing.
Vibration therapy is most often applied by standing on a vibrating platform, which offers low-impact exercise that’s gentle on joints. Furthermore, this form of physical activity also improves flexibility and circulation – qualities which may aid with pain relief.
Other types of vibration therapy involve sitting or lying down while being subjected to waves from a machine that send them throughout the body, providing back problems relief and joint health improvement in areas that cannot be reached with other forms of treatments. Vibration therapy has proven successful for relieving back and joint issues as well as providing pain relief in hard-to-reach locations.
Note that vibration therapy should only be undertaken under certain circumstances, including heart disease or deep vein thrombosis, pregnancy and taking certain medications. Always speak to your healthcare provider prior to beginning a vibration therapy program for safety purposes.
Researchers have discovered that pairing vibration therapy with other physical activities can amp up its benefits. For instance, adding it to yoga practice may help loosen muscles and increase blood flow to prepare you for poses more effectively; while using vibration therapy with meditation can bring greater mental calmness and mindfulness.
Biological Effects
Vibration therapy works to stimulate both the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems of the body, positively impacting muscle function and bone density. Vibration’s rapid muscle contractions increase blood circulation to deliver more oxygen directly to muscle fibers for greater comfort while reducing swelling and discomfort. Furthermore, this mechanical stimulation influences tissue texture as well as increases cell growth (including new bone cells that improve density) through physical stimulation of tissue texture.
Studies have demonstrated the power of vibrational stimuli to promote bone health and decrease muscle function among those at risk for bone loss and decreased muscle function, particularly among elderly sedentary people and those aged 70 or above. Vibration can stimulate production of new bone cells leading to increased bone mass. Furthermore, vibration can enhance physical therapy effectiveness by stimulating muscles that require external stimuli for activation.
Vibration induces muscle spindles – tiny sensory receptors on muscles that send signals back to the brain about their position and movement – which inform how much to stretch/contract and at what pace. Vibration therapy can stimulate these signals while training muscles to enhance proprioception and balance in both healthy individuals as well as those with chronic injuries or disabilities.
Vibration therapy can also help facilitate healing of difficult-to-heal wounds by increasing blood flow around their injury sites and expediting wound closure faster, as well as decreasing infection risks, which is a frequent problem with certain wounds.
Vibration therapy may enhance the activity of mesenchymal stem cells, which serve as sources for bone cell production and are responsible for creating bones, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. Furthermore, vibration therapy‘s mechanical stimulation may reduce inflammation while speeding up bone tissue regeneration–helping treat osteoporosis more effectively.
Vibrating stimulation of muscles also aids in the prevention of disuse-related bone loss and weakness by maintaining muscle tone and encouraging the release of natural pain-relieving substances. This effect was first recognized during space travel; doctors began using vibratory stimulation to strengthen astronauts’ bones and muscles during space flight – it proved enormously popular, becoming widespread practice throughout fitness and rehabilitation programs worldwide.
Clinical Effects
Vibration therapy has long been used as an effective therapy, both chronic and acute, for treating various ailments. Vibration has been shown to help with conditions including musculoskeletal problems, neurodegenerative diseases and weight loss; and offers pain relief for arthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Furthermore, vibration can stimulate bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) to increase bone density – something particularly helpful for older individuals; further strengthening muscles while increasing range of motion in joints and decreasing risk of falls among older population.
Vibration therapy can also enhance circulation, which is beneficial in several conditions such as improving oxygen levels and reducing swelling. Furthermore, vibration increases proprioception – our body’s sense of movement and positioning. This may prove especially helpful for recovering patients after surgery or injuries.
Although research on vibrational therapy remains limited, its potential use could prove useful for many different conditions. Multiple studies have confirmed vibrational therapy is effective at increasing muscle strength, balance, joint flexibility and bone density as well as providing pain relief while increasing tissue extensibility – helping with posture, gait and mobility issues for those recovering from stroke.
Combining Tai Chi with other forms of exercise can help prevent or lessen symptoms associated with conditions like osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain. Furthermore, Tai Chi can be used to improve balance, posture and range of motion among those living with sarcopenia.
Researchers are conducting studies of vibration therapy‘s effects on muscles, ligaments and tendons as well as studying its intensity, frequency and application patterns on the musculoskeletal system. This information will allow researchers to better understand the various ways vibration affects healthy and pathological tissues as well as expected outcomes of its use – information essential for developing optimal clinical applications of vibration therapy in orthopaedic practices – particularly important as population ages further and needs for innovative therapies that counteract its negative impacts increase significantly.
