Vibration therapy has the power to balance neurotransmitters, helping to maintain stability of mood and enhance mental wellbeing. When combined with yoga or meditation practices, its advantages become even greater.
Vibration therapy comes in various forms, from whole-body vibration (WBV) to localized devices like Intellinetix’s percussive massagers that focus on specific body parts. WBV can often be found at gyms and fitness studios while localized devices, like Intellinetix percussive massagers, target specific parts.
Improved Circulation
Vibration therapy has been proven to increase circulation in areas that are stiff or painful by stimulating the nervous system and increasing blood flow to muscles and joints, which in turn promotes bone growth, reduces pain levels and balances hormone production as well as stress levels. This therapy also helps balance hormone production levels which helps manage stress.
No matter if it is used on all areas of the body or targeted specifically, mechanical vibrations will contract and relax muscles at the same time, stimulating tissue stimulation, increasing blood flow and strengthening muscle tone.
Vibration therapy also strengthens bones by giving extra work for bones to do against gravity – something particularly valuable to people living with osteoporosis, as studies demonstrate its potential to slow bone loss progression and minimize fracture risk.
Vibration therapy has also proven its worth in improving balance and lowering the risk of falls in older adults, a crucial consideration given that falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths among this demographic. A study demonstrated how just 10-15 minutes of daily whole-body vibration therapy improved patients’ balance and gait significantly, making movement simpler without fear of falling.
Studies show that vibration therapy is effective at improving balance and reducing falls, as well as increasing muscle strength, bone density and relieving back and joint pain. While results of various studies differ, most indicate its efficacy for improving balance and avoiding falls. Furthermore, vibrations have also been proven to increase muscle strength and bone density and relieve back and joint discomfort.
Vibration therapy is generally safe for most individuals; however, it’s wise to consult your physician prior to beginning any new exercise regimen. Whole-body vibration therapy should not be undertaken by those taking blood thinners or who have severe diabetes; localized vibration therapy products from Intellinetix provide more suitable solutions due to adjustable intensity settings that won’t lead to back or joint pain.
Increased Muscle Tone
Vibration therapy allows your muscles to contract and relax in response to mechanical stimulation, creating improved muscle tone that can aid weight loss and maintain health. Vibrations also help increase bone-mineral density as well as reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Vibration exercises create mechanical stimulations which stimulate endings of your muscles known as muscle spindles, sending signals back to your brain about when and how much your muscle are stretching or contracting, helping coordinate movement, balance, strength and flexibility within your body. Vibration increases g-forces acting on your muscles to enhance exercise load and neuromuscular activation – leading to increased muscle strength and power, reduced back pain, enhanced limb mobility and stability and an increase in proprioceptive awareness as per research.
Whole-body vibration training entails standing or sitting on a vibrating platform that transmits vibrations throughout your body, often used as part of fitness regimens to strengthen core muscles, back, and arms.
Localized vibration therapy uses a smaller device to directly target specific muscles and joints, for instance placing a vibrating pad on your knees to alleviate pain, or on your wrists to relieve tension in your hand and fingers. It is also useful in relieving sore back or neck conditions or loosening tight muscle knots – often known as trigger point therapy.
Recent research published in the Journal of Athletic Training has demonstrated how vibration therapy reduces DOMS risks by shortening the time required for muscle soreness to occur, as well as increasing performance for those on regular workout regimens. Furthermore, vibration therapy was found to be an effective tool for increasing skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral densities among elderly adults with sarcopenia.
Research supporting vibration therapy is growing. Before engaging in any new exercise regimen, however, it’s wise to consult your physician or physical therapist so as to make sure that its intensity meets your individual needs and to stay hydrated throughout any workout session.
Improved Sleep
Studies have proven that vibration therapy can be more successful at relieving insomnia than pharmaceutical drugs with potentially dangerous side effects. Vibration can help people sleep by stimulating their body’s natural production of melatonin, an essential sleep-regulating hormone. Furthermore, vibration therapy also works well at relieving muscle tension and stress that contributes to poor quality restful slumber.
Vibration therapy can also benefit mental health by encouraging better sleep and heightening awareness of the connection between physical and psychological well-being. According to one study published in February 2021, whole-body vibration exercise proved especially helpful for children living with Down Syndrome – a genetic condition that causes movement issues – using vibration machines for gentle stretching exercises can reduce sleep disruptions thus improving quality of life for these patients.
Vibration therapy can provide relief from chronic pain by relieving muscle tension, relaxing tight tendons and ligaments, and soothing nerves irritated by compression. Vibration may also relieve migraines and severe headaches. Furthermore, small amounts of vibration can increase blood flow to areas causing discomfort thereby speeding healing processes while diminishing pain sensations.
Whole-body vibration therapy has also been shown to significantly enhance balance and decrease falls among older adults, which helps lower fracture risks and other injuries associated with falling. Vibration therapy‘s improved balance and stability also plays an integral role in supporting bone health by helping keep bones strong thereby slowing osteoporosis’ progression.
Studies on the cognitive effects of vibration therapy may support its benefits in terms of increasing brain function in healthy individuals as well as those suffering from cognitive comorbidities. Although studies vary greatly with regards to frequency and intensity of vibration as well as sitting/standing posture differences and timing of cognitive tests; thus making any definitive conclusions difficult.
Not only has vibration therapy shown positive physical health effects, it is also proven effective at treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. When combined with psychotherapy sessions it can increase both benefits while simultaneously making treatment easier to stay engaged with.
Reduced Stress
Vibration therapy is an integral component of holistic healthcare. It offers both physical and psychological advantages, such as increased bone density, strengthened muscles, better circulation and decreased stress levels. When combined with diet and exercise regiments, vibration therapy can significantly enhance wellbeing.
Vibration plate therapy (WBV or local muscle vibration), is an innovative treatment which uses mechanical vibration to stimulate your muscles. Vibrating platforms or handheld devices produce vibrations which can be felt throughout the body from front to back; their intensity and duration can be adjusted based on your individual needs.
WBV can reduce pain and increase strength for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, weight loss and other musculoskeletal conditions. According to research it can aid with weight loss as well as increasing bone density in hips and spine areas and even boost metabolism which helps with digestion while burning calories faster.
Localized vibration therapy can help ease muscle tension and relieve joint pain in areas such as knees, elbows, shins and feet. Vibration therapy also relieves trigger point pain caused by knotted muscles which refer pain elsewhere in your body. Furthermore, vibration therapy has been found to ease stress by regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine as well as decreasing cortisol production which ultimately enhances mood and mental well-being.
Consult your physician before beginning vibration therapy, particularly if you have blood-clotting issues, heart disease or diabetes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid vibration therapy; otherwise it’s usually considered safe under medical supervision.
Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of whole-body and localized vibration therapy to significantly enhance bone density and muscle mass, strengthen bones and joints, alleviate pain and anxiety, reduce stress and enhance sleep quality. Vibration therapy can also enhance balance and gait as well as decrease muscle rigidity for those living with cerebral palsy, reduce rigidity of muscles in people with Parkinson’s disease as well as improving balance, gait mobility for arthritis or fibromyalgia sufferers.
