Vibration therapy entails either standing, sitting or lying on a vibrating machine which sends mechanical vibrations through your body, stimulating muscles to contract and relax and bones to become stronger. Although not commonly offered by NHS services, you might encounter vibration therapy at gyms, physiotherapy services or at home.
Studies have demonstrated that whole body vibration (WBV) therapy improves physical performance, balance, muscle strength and cognitive functioning in individuals living with multiple sclerosis.
Improved Muscle Strength
Vibration plate therapy, when coupled with physical therapy, can assist patients in recovering faster by increasing strength and endurance, decreasing muscle injuries by strengthening muscles and tendons, and decreasing risk. Physical therapists utilize vibrating platforms that force bodies to contract and relax multiple times per second to strengthen muscles as well as enhance coordination and balance.
Vibration therapy has the ability to treat various medical conditions and ailments, from neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy to space travel-induced osteoporosis in astronauts. Furthermore, vibration therapy offers additional musculoskeletal benefits by helping reduce stress levels and stimulating metabolism; producing hormones which make you feel more energetic and alert than before.
Whole body vibration therapy (WBV) is one of the most frequently practiced types of vibration therapy. This involves standing, sitting or lying down on a platform vibrating at various frequencies and studies have demonstrated its benefits in improving neuromuscular junction formation and maintenance as well as increasing muscular performance, increasing bone density and stimulating collagen production within the body.
Local muscle vibration (LMV) therapy is a less commonly practiced yet researched form of vibration therapy. While more effective than WBV in improving muscle strength and function, LMV requires less practical implementation outside the laboratory setting and could enhance joint position sense and blood circulation below the skin.
Researchers have studied the effects of whole-body and local muscle vibration on muscle strength for healthy individuals and those living with disabilities such as stroke. Some studies have reported significant increases in LMV muscle strength compared to control groups; other have not found any statistically significant differences. Unfortunately, differences in study methods, participant demographics, vibration frequency or side-alternating vibration patterns could potentially alter results; further investigation must take place in order to understand their influence on results.
Increased Blood Circulation
The circulatory system transports oxygen and blood throughout the body, transporting essential nutrients to cells while flushing away waste products and transporting carbon dioxide to be eliminated through our lungs and kidneys. Poor circulation can lead to various issues from cold hands and feet to slow-healing wounds; fortunately there are numerous ways of improving it; regular exercise being the optimal method, while vibration therapy (VT) offers another beneficial approach which may even enhance other exercises’ benefits.
Vibration therapy utilizes oscillatory vibrations to introduce oscillatory vibrations into the body and trigger muscle contractions and increase blood flow. Vibrations increase muscle activity which stimulates endocrine and lymphatic systems to support normal functioning and facilitate healing, and may even produce nitric oxide, relaxing arteries and encouraging circulation.
VT not only improves circulation but also stimulates the release of endorphins that inhibit pain signals in the brain and lower perceptions of pain – making it an excellent solution for patients suffering chronic discomfort such as those suffering with arthritis or neuropathy.
Circulation is especially crucial to athletes, as it allows blood to transport oxygen and nutrients directly to muscles, relieving fatigue and allowing them to perform at their maximum potential. Unfortunately, numerous factors can contribute to poor circulation such as lack of physical activity, smoking, high cholesterol/fat levels and leading a sedentary lifestyle – all which slow the heart rate and lessen vein elasticity.
Vibration therapy can provide an effective means for treating or preventing these conditions, by increasing muscle strength and improving joint and tendon health. Furthermore, vibration therapy stimulates the endocrine and lymphatic systems responsible for clearing away metabolic byproducts from muscles after workouts – this may prevent cell damage while improving recovery time post workout as well as helping prevent osteoporosis and strengthen bones.
Reduced Pain
Physical therapists who incorporate vibration therapy as part of your treatment plan may employ whole-body vibration (WBV) or localized vibration therapy (LVT). WBV requires you to stand, sit or lie on a vibrating platform which transmits mechanical oscillations across all parts of your body while both types of vibration can effectively increase muscle contractions, blood flow to muscles and joints and bone density.
Musculoskeletal pain is a persistent challenge that often makes everyday tasks challenging to accomplish. Research indicates that vibration plate therapy may provide relief and increase mobility among those living with these disorders.
As a rule, vibration therapy is generally safe for most individuals; however, before using vibration machines to manage pain management you should consult your physiatrist or healthcare provider first. Certain medical conditions or treatments may interact negatively with vibration therapy machines; you may need to make adjustments or avoid certain frequencies and amplitudes of vibration in order to use the machine effectively.
One 2022 study focused specifically on knee pain and found that vibration therapy could significantly enhance its functionality by activating endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers – to boost joint health and promote blood circulation and quicken oxygen and nutrient delivery to joints for quicker healing processes.
Vibration therapy for joints also offers another advantage – increasing bone density and warding off osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile and brittle, leading to painful fractures that could threaten life-long health issues. But there are numerous strategies available to fight osteoporosis including regular exercise, healthy diet and meeting vitamin D needs.
Vibration therapy can be an invaluable asset in enhancing your exercise regimen and strengthening joints. Additionally, vibration therapy may speed recovery from injuries such as sprained ankles or pulled backs – by relieving pain, improving circulation and building muscle strength; you can experience a higher quality of life. Speak to your physiatrist about adding vibration therapy into your treatment plan immediately!
Improved Sleep
As well as strengthening muscles, alleviating pain and improving sleep quality, vibration therapy also serves to lower stress levels. Studies have demonstrated how low frequency vibrations activate sensory receptors to promote relaxation and relieve tension – an invaluable benefit for patients suffering from chronic stress that could otherwise contribute to further health issues.
Physical therapy vibration machines use natural vibration stimulation to stimulate muscles and joints naturally, helping increase flexibility and mobility and reducing injuries as well as falls, which are one of the primary causes of premature mortality in older adults.
Vibration therapy can also assist those living with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. Vibrations reduce coordination deficits, reflex excitability and spasticity while improving balance, gait and gross motor skills in these individuals. They also strengthen bones density and joint mobility within legs and arms.
G5 vibration devices employ advanced gyratory percussion technology to produce multidirectional and directional stroking patterns that closely replicate advanced manual techniques for targeted therapy. Designed specifically to meet each patient’s individual needs, these innovative machines ensure they feel all the effects of vibration therapy.
Vibrations increase blood circulation and oxygen flow to the brain and other organs, helping promote restful, healthy sleep. They also trigger serotonin release – a chemical which regulates your sleep-wake cycles – for faster falling asleep times and deeper, healing restful restful slumber.
One study demonstrated that when people stand on a vibration plate for 20 minutes, their balance and posture improve considerably, decreasing their risk of falling significantly – an especially useful benefit for seniors, who often struggle with poor balance and are more prone to falling than younger generations.
If you are considering using a physical therapy vibration machine, please speak with your physician first to assess its suitability for you. It is advisable to begin slowly with short sessions and gradually increase both duration and intensity as your body adapts to vibration therapy. Vibration therapy may cause discomfort; long-term use could even cause back or neck pain. Furthermore, vibration therapy should not be performed if you have spinal fractures or cochlear implants in place as this could hinder its performance.
