Whole Body Vibration Physical Therapy
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) provides an effective means of increasing muscle strength and flexibility, rebuilding healthy muscle tissue, improving circulation and decreasing pain – all without drugs or impact. WBV therapy methods offer non-impact exercise as an exercise solution and therapy option.
Vibration devices offer low-magnitude, high-intensity mechanical stimuli which may be anabolic to bone and tendinous tissues1. Most commonly used devices provide vertical or alternating horizontal displacement.
Reduces Pain
Vibration therapy dates back to Jean-Martin Charcot in the 19th century. Today, its technology has advanced significantly and is used in physical therapy treatments for various conditions as well as preventive therapy programs to keep muscles and bones healthy – with little discomfort from traditional exercise treatments that cause muscle soreness.
Vibration therapy has proven its worth in treating back pain. It’s particularly useful for relieving chronic low back discomfort caused by muscle spasms – known as fibromyalgia. A 12-week study demonstrated how neuromuscular training using a whole body vibration platform was effective at decreasing severity of fibromyalgia symptoms by decreasing intensity, improving sensitivity measurements, balance mobility and functional tasks, as well as decreasing pain intensity levels overall.
Vibration plates can also help treat neck and back pain caused by poor posture or lifestyle choices that restrict physical movement. Vibrations from the plate can help increase flexibility while strengthening muscles around joints; studies have even demonstrated its efficacy for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of joints – by improving range of motion.
Vibration therapy has also been successfully employed as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis. According to a meta-analysis of studies on vibration therapy as a tool to reduce spasticity, vibration therapy was shown to help improve balance, gait and posture – something especially valuable for individuals recovering from spinal cord injuries, TBI or strokes.
No matter its benefits, vibration therapy may pose certain risks for patients. Therefore, it’s crucial that patients work with an experienced physical therapist when using this type of treatment. Furthermore, high-intensity vibration therapy should be avoided since this could harm osteoporosis sufferers and those suffering compression fractures; also vibration plates aren’t suitable for people who have eye problems or certain metal implants.
Increases Flexibility
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) has become an increasingly popular form of physical therapy. WBV involves exercising with vibratory stimuli while standing on a platform with your knees slightly bent – much like yoga and weightlifting, except WBV does more than simply stimulate tissues; its aim should be muscle exercise as opposed to tissue stimulation alone. When considering WBV as physical exercise it should be treated in the same light as traditional exercises like weight lifting or running.
One study demonstrated how whole-body vibration increases flexibility and balance performance among athletes with reconstructed ACL injuries. Participants in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial were randomly divided into treatment and placebo groups – treatment received five one-minute whole body vibration sessions with an interval of one minute between sessions while placebo received no vibratory therapy whatsoever – the results demonstrated improved proprioceptive and balance performance after intervention for both groups.
One study discovered that whole-body vibration therapy helps improve mobility among children and adolescents suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta, an hereditary primary bone disorder characterized by long-term immobility due to frequent fractures. After six months of weekly treatment using whole-body vibration, study authors noted improved mobility among these patients as well as increased muscle mass and increased bone density as a result of treatment.
Vibration therapy dates back to the 19th century when Jean-Martin Charcot first used it to treat patients with gait problems. Since then, vibration therapy has become a common rehabilitation therapy used for various conditions including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and stroke.
Studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of whole body vibration therapy on flexibility and balance, but more research needs to be conducted on whether it helps with muscle strength and cognitive function as well. Unfortunately, available research often contains limitations with respect to participation numbers, vibration protocols, population comorbidities or population characteristics – making comparison of findings difficult and reaching a consensus on which vibration therapy therapy has the greatest effectiveness.
Strengthens Muscles
If your mobility is limited due to cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease, whole body vibration therapy can help strengthen your muscles by activating the natural response to vibration within the body – increasing muscle strength and balance as a result of this physical therapy approach. This may enable daily tasks while decreasing pain levels for improved quality of life.
When standing or sitting on a vibration platform, the movement sends pulses of kinetic energy up your body that are then converted to heat – warming your muscles and joints so they become more flexible and easier to use. In addition, this warming effect helps protect against injury as your joints and muscles are better prepared for activity.
Vibration stimulates the tonic vibration reflex, a complex spinal and supraspinal neurophysiological reaction which causes muscles to contract and relax, increasing communication between your muscles and brain for improved coordination and balance. Increased flexibility combined with better balance can make using muscles easier – potentially decreasing risks of falling and helping preserve independence long term.
Whole body vibration training has been shown to significantly enhance physical function for people living with neurological conditions that impede movement, like cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. Vibrations help build your muscles and bones while simultaneously strengthening connections between the nervous system and muscles – helping maintain balance while improving walking, talking and performing basic movements more freely.
Whole body vibration therapy not only increases muscle strength and mobility, but can also significantly enhance bone density. By increasing bone density, whole body vibration therapy may lower your risk of osteoporosis and fractures; however, more research needs to be conducted into how best to incorporate whole body vibration therapy into an exercise routine in order to protect bone growth while helping prevent osteoporosis.
Whole body vibration therapy can do more than strengthen muscles; it can also boost your mood by helping lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Studies have found that vibrations at low frequencies can significantly lower cortisol in men. Unfortunately, the same results have yet to be observed among female subjects.
Increases Circulation
Vibration therapy works to increase blood flow to muscles and joints. This improves circulation and oxygen supply to an area, which in turn can ease pain from arthritis. Furthermore, vibration therapy strengthens muscles by improving muscle strength, balance and gait mechanics – while whole body vibration (WBV) allows patients to sit, stand or lie on platforms which vibrate; its vibrations stimulate muscles to contract and relax numerous times per second similar to exercise.
Research into this treatment is still relatively recent, yet many studies have already produced positive outcomes. It is widely recognized as an effective means of improving balance, posture and gait among those living with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Vibration therapy can also be useful for recovering from spinal cord injuries, as it stimulates an involuntary stretch reflex to increase muscle tone and decrease spasms. Furthermore, this form of vibration therapy has also been utilized to treat those who have experienced traumatic brain injuries or strokes, helping reduce symptoms such as tremors and poor coordination.
Studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of vibration therapy on musculoskeletal health, including reduced pain and improved strength for those living with arthritis. Vibration therapy also improves balance, gait mechanics and bone density promotion – all safe treatments options available to those suffering from these and related conditions.
Although whole-body vibration therapy shows promise, more research needs to be conducted on its effects before being recommended as a regular exercise or rehabilitation technique. There are several limitations associated with this technology that must be considered when assessing its efficacy, such as differences between vibration protocols or any possible co-morbidities of study subjects.
Vibration has differing effects on the spine depending on its use: sitting vibrations tend to travel through pelvis and upper legs while standing vibrations predominantly impact lower back and knees. Vibration therapy uses vibration without trying to induce muscle exercise while training makes use of similar techniques in positions similar to muscle exercise – and must be treated accordingly.
