Whole-body vibration therapy has long been touted as an effective means for weight loss, bone density maintenance, lymphatic drainage and lymphedema treatment – conditions which cause fluid buildup in legs and arms.
Studies have demonstrated that low-frequency, multidirectional stochastic vibrations in horizontal positions increase skin blood microcirculation – particularly where there is direct skin contact with the vibrating surface.
How does it work?
The lymphatic system is a one-directional valve mechanism designed to regulate the movement of tissue fluid (lymph) from lymph capillaries in tissues to lymph nodes, lymph trunk at neck level, lymphedema or back into blood circulation system. If this flow becomes compromised through lack of physical activity, medical conditions or surgery, or tissue swelling occurs as a result, this can lead to fluid accumulation resulting in tissue swelling known as lymphedema.
Vibration-induced skeletal muscle contraction works hand in hand with lymphatic circulation mechanisms to provide effective lymph drainage, making vibration therapy an excellent solution to improve lymphatic drainage.
Vibration therapy enhances lymphatic drainage by stimulating skeletal muscles to contract and relax repeatedly, creating shear stress which dilates blood vessels, speeding fluid flow through them and also encouraging hormone release for cell regeneration. Furthermore, vibration acceleration promotes release of necessary substances needed for tissue repair.
Whole-body vibration therapy has long been recognized for its benefits to metabolism, body fat reduction and bone strength; less well known are its lymphatic drainage benefits. A vibration plate’s high frequency oscillations travel throughout your entire body affecting all cells, tissues and organs simultaneously.
Once vibration frequencies reach 30 Hz, rapid contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles produces pulses of pressure outside lymph vessels, combined with tissue fluid’s osmotic pressure causing lymph vessels to expand further and accelerate fluid movement.
Vibration stimulated skeletal muscle pumping also improves circulation by improving distribution of blood and lymph among small vessels such as arterioles, venules, and capillaries, adding functionality to the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, vibration stimulated contractions stimulate reabsorption of fibrous tissue as well as growth of real muscle cells to increase strength in muscles.
Vibration has many beneficial effects for muscles as well as tendon and ligament repair, particularly after injury. Tighter than muscles but slower to recover after being injured, tendons and ligaments require intensive mechanical stimulation induced by vibration to stimulate cellular processes necessary for protein synthesis, thus improving tissue flexibility and resistance. Vibration therapy meets this demand to aid their repair.
What are the benefits?
There’s no disputing that vibration plate exercises are an excellent way to strengthen bones, tighten muscles and boost overall health. Fitness experts agree that vibration plate exercises also reduce cellulite and thin the subcutaneous fat layer due to high-frequency oscillations created by vibration plates traveling throughout the entire body and positively affecting every cell, tissue and organ along their path. Furthermore, vibration plates speed metabolism by increasing muscle movement, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage – as well as speed up metabolism speedup for faster metabolism rate, increased metabolism speedup as well as facilitate lymphatic drainage.
As soon as your lymphatic system becomes disrupted by injury, surgery, radiation or medical conditions – such as radiation exposure – metabolic waste-carrying fluid can easily get trapped in tissues, leading to lymphedema. Lymphedema can lead to swelling of lower or upper body parts as a result of lymph fluid reaching veins from lymph capillaries via lymph nodes accumulating there and reaching veins instead. While lymphedema is difficult to treat effectively; recent research suggests vibration therapy is an effective solution in providing lymphatic drainage assistance.
Vibration plate therapy stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, helping tighten skin by decreasing water retention in the body and encouraging new cell growth while eliminating old ones. Furthermore, vibration plate therapy increases permeability of blood vessels thus decreasing water leakage from them into tissues.
Studies have proven vibration plates to be an effective conservative treatment option for lymphedema and lipedema, both forms of swelling caused by lymph node disease. According to these findings, only this technique has proven successful at both preventing and ameliorating its symptoms.
Many have reported that vibration therapy has greatly decreased their swollen legs and thighs. Some even experienced an improvement within months! It should be noted, however, that for optimal effectiveness it must be combined with proper diet and an exercise program designed specifically to treat swelling.
How do I use it?
The lymphatic system is a network of lymph nodes and vessels filled with lymph fluid that serves as the human body’s waste removal mechanism. Over time it may become compromised with pathogens, excess fat tissue, and other substances due to poor eating habits, poor exercise routines, or stress; health professionals recommend lymphatic drainage as a method to unclog this organ system back to its proper functions and restore proper functioning; whole body vibration machines provide powerful vibration frequencies which align well with natural mechanisms in the lymphatic system and facilitate lymphatic drainage effectively.
This 8.5x 11in guide by a certified oncology and lymphedema physical therapist shares easy, gentle exercises for improving lymphatic flow using a vibration plate. With photographs for quick reference as well as step-by-step instructions, this book makes the exercises accessible and straightforward for use at home.
After purchasing, this guide can be downloaded immediately; an email with a download link will be sent directly to your inbox.
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What are the risks?
Lymphedema vibration therapy is generally considered safe; however, some conditions must be taken into consideration before beginning therapy. For example, certain forms of vibration can worsen Raynaud’s symptoms if its frequency increases significantly; it may also be uncomfortable in areas that are sensitive or painful.
However, it should be borne in mind that lymphedema vibration therapy should not replace other therapies like regular exercise and healthy nutrition – rather, it should be used alongside them for maximum effect.
Aerobic conditioning exercises designed to build muscular power and contribute to weight control should be included as part of any lymphedema exercise plan, including those using a vibration plate. Patients must, however, exercise caution in engaging in high-risk activities like soccer or kickboxing for leg lymphedema or tennis or golf for arm lymphedema.
Vibration therapy has many other advantages for treating lymphedema, including decreased resting heart rate, improved muscle strength and an increase in venous and lymphatic fluid returning to circulation. Furthermore, research suggests that extracorporeal shock wave therapy could provide additional benefits in this regard; although research in this field remains limited.
