Vibration therapy uses mechanical vibrations to stimulate muscles and tissues. It may involve whole-body vibration, such as on a machine where you stand or lie down, or localized vibration, such as from handheld devices, wearable bands, or vibrating foam rollers.
Whole body vibration therapy is increasingly common and found in gyms and physiotherapy services. Studies have proven its efficacy for strengthening muscles and increasing bone density while alleviating delayed-onset muscle soreness, and increasing flexibility.
Improved Circulation
Vibration therapy can aid circulation by forcing muscles to contract and relax. This increases oxygen delivery to cells throughout your body, thus relieving pain and stiffness as well as supporting bone health.
Vibration machines can help increase your range of motion and promote better posture, providing extra mobility and improving posture for those struggling to move their bodies due to injuries or chronic diseases like arthritis. These vibration machines may prove especially useful for people experiencing difficulties moving their bodies due to injuries.
Some vibration devices work by sending mechanical vibrations throughout your entire body while you stand, sit or lie down. These vibrations may stimulate muscles and joints to help you burn more calories and lose weight faster while also strengthening and increasing balance and muscle strength.
As people suffering from vein disease should remember, vibration plates should never be seen as a replacement for medical treatment of varicose veins. While vibration plates may provide comfort in relieving symptoms like heaviness and swelling associated with varicose veins, such as discomfort caused by damaged valves or reflux in your veins, they do not address their root causes – these issues typically have their root source in damaged valves that need fixing in your veins.
Whole-body vibration (WBV) with frequencies in the 20-50 Hz range has been extensively researched in combination with exercise, and has been demonstrated to enhance various aspects of muscle strength3-5, flexibility6, oxygen use7 and bone density8. Unfortunately, not enough research has been conducted into its effect on skin blood flow (SBF).
Vibration therapy treatments using massage guns or foam rollers have also proven popular as they’re less costly alternatives to full-body WBV machines and can be utilized at home with no hassles or expenses involved.
Studies of vibration therapy applied to localized vibrations on calf muscles revealed that lower frequency vibrations (around 30 Hz) increased vascular blood flow more effectively than higher frequency treatments (over 30 Hz), potentially due to their slower contraction rate allowing time for perfusion, or blood circulation.
Vibration massage may also help increase localized blood circulation to injured areas. One study of this therapy discovered that using a vibrating foam roller increased vascular flow to the popliteal artery following vibration application.
Reduced Pain
Vibrations generated by vibrators induce muscle contraction and relaxation, much like exercise. When muscles contract and relax, this allows the brain to send pain-reduction signals which improve circulation and inflammation reduction for faster healing of muscles. Furthermore, vibrations stimulate release of endorphins – natural painkillers found within our own bodies.
Vibration therapy is an excellent way to stimulate muscle contraction and relaxation during physical therapy, or it can be applied directly to specific parts of the body for pain management. Vibration can help relieve neck or back tension as well as improve range of motion after surgery; one study found it significantly reduced pain levels among rotator cuff injury patients who received vibration therapy during physiotherapy sessions.
Whole-body vibration therapy has been shown to offer numerous health benefits beyond pain reduction, increased circulation and flexibility improvement and weight loss promotion. Some examples include enhanced gait and balance performance, bone density improvement and sleep quality enhancement – however more research must be completed in order to understand exactly how vibration therapy provides these advantages.
According to some experts, vibration therapy may also help improve muscle strength, balance, and mobility for those recovering from stroke. These advantages become especially apparent when combined with traditional physiotherapy treatment methods.
Vibration therapy may be safe for most people; however, not everyone may find it suitable. People suffering from high blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis or other serious health conditions should avoid it. Furthermore, whole body vibration therapy could prove hazardous if there are metal pins or plates inside of you or a pacemaker present; whole body vibration therapy could even worsen skin rashes or open wounds that have developed on you.
Therapists can suggest the ideal vibration device for you, with numerous choices available both at home and professionally. Your chosen device may allow for adjustable intensity of vibrations or can target specific parts of the body with more pinpoint precision.
Reduced Stress
Vibration therapy can help relieve stress by stimulating endorphin release – your body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. Gentle vibrations also improve circulation, relieving tension and anxiety while rhythmic vibrations help relieve chronic stressors or alleviate mild depression symptoms.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of vibration machine therapy for improving balance and overall quality of life for elderly people at risk for falls. Bruyere et al,34 observed how controlled WBV training improved physical functioning as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among their study participants.
Vibrations produced by this device stimulate muscles, tendons, and ligaments to relax, which helps alleviate joint pain. Furthermore, vibrations may also increase muscle strength which is particularly helpful for people suffering from arthritis or joint discomfort.
Vibration can help improve balance and flexibility, which in turn reduces injury risks while making daily tasks simpler. Furthermore, vibration has been found to alleviate effects of stress while improving sleep quality – all contributing to greater mental clarity overall.
Whole body vibration (WBV) machines are the most frequently seen vibration machines, producing vibrations that travel throughout the entire body and are popularly found in gyms and physiotherapy services. WBV machines may also feature localized vibrations targeting specific parts of the body.
Vibration therapy has the ability to bring localized relief for knee, hip, and back pain; however, its advantages become much greater when practiced regularly.
Vibration therapy may not be for everyone, and it is wise to carefully consider all your options prior to engaging in it. Side effects of vibration therapy can include dizziness and nausea when starting out; to begin slowly at low intensity before increasing duration and intensity as you become used to it. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning vibration therapy treatment.
Improved Sleep
Sleep is essential to our physical and mental wellbeing, providing essential restorative qualities essential for daily activities such as work and school. Without sufficient rest, normal functioning cannot occur while mental health suffers as a result; sleep deprivation may contribute to issues like depression and anxiety affecting cognitive processes as well. Physical exercise or vibration machine therapy may improve quality sleep in older people as an alternative solution compared to sleeping pills prescription.
Vibration has been proven to promote sleepiness and speed up the time it takes to fall asleep, compared to those not exposed to vibration. It is thought this effect may be related to its vibrational stimulation of both body and vestibular systems – much like what many experience when rocking chairs or car rides vibrate them.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of vibration at 0.25-4Hz to promote sleepiness and improve quality of restful slumber, without inducing motion sickness – large acceleration (over 10mm/s2) may induce feelings of nausea in some individuals.
In order to avoid this problem, a mechanical bed was developed that stimulates body movement in two directions (horizontal and vertical). Motors for both horizontal and vertical vibration are independently controlled by a microprocessor unit while being driven with the assistance of a counterweight system so as to produce precise yet quiet motion.
US researchers conducted a study to explore the effects of a vibrating bed with superimposed vibrational waves of different frequencies on falling asleep processes and brain activity in individuals suffering from insomnia. They used functional magnetic resonance imaging scans to monitor changes in functional connectivity among brain areas as well as measure self-reported sleep duration and quality as well as wakefulness levels over time.
Participants were divided into two groups; the first received vibration and auditory stimulation while the other continued with standard care treatment for insomnia. Results after one month revealed that patients suffering from insomnia experienced improved sleep patterns with reduced dependency on sleeping pills; as per this research team’s suggestion, vibration-auditory stimulation might offer viable treatment solutions for this disorder.
