Vibration therapy has long been employed by space agencies as a way of aiding astronauts returning from long-term missions to overcome bone loss and muscle atrophy. Studies show that high frequency low magnitude mechanical stimulation promotes bone growth as well as muscle strength.
One randomized clinical trial showed that women using vibrating platforms for six months experienced increased lumbar spine bone density – an important risk factor of fracture.
Improves Blood Circulation
Vibration therapy works to increase blood circulation by stimulating cell turnover. This therapy can benefit bones by clearing away waste from bone cells while simultaneously stimulating production of new ones. Furthermore, vibration can reduce inflammation in the skeletal system and thus lower risk of fractures.
Osteoporosis is a degenerative condition in which bones weaken and fracture easily, impacting both men and women alike. This illness affects all parts of society, with men being more affected than women; its impact being felt equally across generations. Medication such as bisphosphonates, monoclonal antibodies, parathyroid hormone fragments or calcium and vitamin D supplements are usually prescribed; in rarer instances surgery or procedures such as spinal bone stimulators may be performed for more permanent treatments; vibration therapy could potentially complement these treatments but more research must be conducted into safe amplitude, frequency and duration parameters for use alongside these treatments for maximum efficacy.
A study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging in December 2013 examined 28 postmenopausal women for six months to see if vibration therapy improved their lumbar spine bone density. Participants were divided into two groups; one received vibration therapy while the other received standard pharmacological regimens; studies found that vibration therapy showed significant increases in bone density for these participants versus standard treatments.
This result is in line with previous studies which have highlighted the positive effects of vibration therapy on the musculoskeletal system. While drug interventions have focused on preventing bone resorption, low-magnitude vibration signals initiate anabolic responses that combat catabolic signals caused by disuse. As such, vibration therapy represents an effective alternative form of physical exercise and could even serve patients who cannot engage in regular physical activity.
Vibration therapy has the ability to strengthen muscles and tendons through stimulating muscle contraction, helping rebuild weaker areas after injury or disease. Furthermore, vibration can aid coordination and balance improvement; especially useful for older adults as it prevents falls while increasing mobility. Furthermore, vibration therapy offers safer exercise solutions than regular physical exercises for conditions like osteoporosis.
Increases Bone Density
As part of their function, bones must continually be reinforced and regenerated to remain strong and maintain strength. Unfortunately, however, aging, lack of exercise, and certain medical conditions cause more bone cells to be broken down than produced for replacement – leading to low bone density that can be hard to reverse and increased risk of fractures. Vibration therapy provides an natural approach to improving bone health by increasing bone growth via mechanical stimulation of bones produced from skeletal muscle contraction – and the frequency and amplitude of vibration signals determine how much stimulation they cause bone growth stimulation.
Vibration therapy was initially developed as part of a space program to assist astronauts during long-duration space missions to prevent bone loss. Scientists discovered that when astronauts stood on vibrating platforms for 10-20 minutes each day for 10-2% increase in bone density – prompting researches to explore whole-body vibration therapy (WBVT).
WBVT involves having someone stand on a platform that vibrates at an average frequency of several dozens per second; its amplitude, or distance away from its original horizontal position in millimeters, determines its effect. Studies indicate that vibration intensity between 30Hz and 2mm amplitude are best suited to improve bone density.
WBVT also increases muscle strength within legs, decreasing risk of falls among older adults. Vibrations stimulate mesenchymal stem cells derived from muscles and bones to differentiate into bone-forming cells as well as promote proliferation of vascular channels to deliver oxygen and nutrients directly into bone tissue.
Research suggests that vibration therapy may significantly increase bone density, improve sarcopenia, and balance in elderly. Furthermore, vibration therapy can be used to treat the underlying factors leading to osteoporosis, including low estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of hip and vertebral neck fractures among older adults and is one of the main reasons behind the high rates of fractures seen among postmenopausal women; treatment options for osteoporosis include medications such as bisphosphonates or parathyroid hormone fragments as well as lifestyle modifications and physical exercise.
Strengthens Muscles
Vibration therapy uses mechanical vibrations delivered from a vibrating platform or machine to cause muscles to contract and relax dozens of times per second, sending signals through the body that encourage bone cells to form more efficiently and increase bone density. Furthermore, this therapy stimulates osteoblast production as well as producing more osteoblasts. Despite all these potential advantages of vibration therapy research remains inconclusive on whether it can increase overall bone density over time.
Bone loss among older adults is an ever-present threat and often results in fractures of the hip and spine, necessitating medication or lifestyle changes to reduce fracture risk; medications include bisphosphonates, parathyroid hormone fragments and estrogen/raloxifene; weight bearing exercise, adequate vitamin D consumption and a balanced diet are also key elements in improving bone health; although most bone loss occurs among women alone, men too can suffer bone loss.
Vibration stimulation to perform anabolic exercises on the musculoskeletal system is an attractive alternative to pharmaceutical treatments for bone loss. Studies have revealed that low-intensity mechanical signals mimicking anabolic exercises can initiate and counteract catabolic responses in skeletal muscles, including improved strength and postural control, while also stimulating bone-forming mesenchymal stem cells to create more progenitor cells for new bone formation.
Whole-body vibration (WBV) was previously only available to athletes and fitness studios, but is now also widely available as a home device. WBV produces vibration intensity that ranges from very mild to extremely intense – according to studies it may lead to adverse outcomes, including falls. Studies indicate that high intensity vibration should not be used by people living with osteoporosis as this could have serious adverse consequences such as fractured vertebrae.
Lower intensity vibrations (LIV), which are safe for people living with osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal conditions, may prove helpful in providing bone mass, balance and mobility improvements in older adults as well as decreasing rates of falls among this population.
Though vibration therapy research remains inconclusive, studies have revealed its promise in increasing balance and preventing falls for people living with osteoporosis; it also increases mobility and quality of life. For best results when used for osteoporosis treatment purposes it should be administered under medical guidance as its frequency, amplitude, duration must be carefully considered by professionals.
Reduces Pain
An increasing number of people are suffering from low bone density and osteoporosis, which is a progressive bone condition which can result in painful fractures. Vibration therapy may provide relief by stimulating bone growth to strengthen it further while also improving overall joint mobility thus decreasing risks of falling and breaking bones.
Research has demonstrated that vibration therapy can stimulate mesenchymal stem cells within bone marrow to reproduce, increasing bone density. As such, vibration therapy has become a popular treatment option for osteoporosis and other related conditions.
Whole-body vibration therapy (WBVT) has proven one of the most successful forms of vibration therapy, originally developed as part of NASA’s efforts to help astronauts cope with bone loss associated with long periods of space travel. Just 10 minutes a day on a vibrating plate proved enough for astronauts to recover the 1-2% bone loss they experienced while living aboard spaceships.
WBVT utilizes mechanical vibrations to stimulate bone marrow and induce new bone and muscle formation. Vibrations transmitted from a vibrating platform directly to hips and lower back are adjustable in frequency and intensity levels for maximum bone stimulation. Muscle contractions cause tension that places stress on bone tissues that encourage them to respond by growing in response.
WBVT also increases growth hormone and testosterone levels in the blood, which helps prevent sarcopenia and osteoporosis while strengthening muscular strength and neuromuscular coordination, thus decreasing falls and broken bones in people living with osteoporosis.
Research remains mixed on the effectiveness of vibration therapy for treating osteoporosis. While some studies indicate it could improve bone density, other have found no noticeable benefits. It’s essential that before making any decisions about vibration therapy as part of a strategy to strengthen bones – other ways are available such as eating diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercising regularly, and taking medication as needed.
