Vibration therapy has been demonstrated to assist in improving muscle strength, balance, bone density, sensorimotor function and cardiovascular health. Furthermore, vibration therapy helps reduce fatigue while simultaneously improving gait, balance posture and mobility for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Research has also demonstrated that whole body vibration therapy may reduce muscle tremors and rigidity for those living with Multiple Sclerosis; however more research needs to be completed in order to demonstrate long-term benefits.
Pain Relief
Vibration therapy is a noninvasive form of physical stimulation using mechanical vibrations to activate all parts of the musculoskeletal system. By forcing muscles to contract and relax at significantly faster rates than standard physical activity, vibration therapy enhances blood flow throughout the body while activating deep muscle fibers that would otherwise go unused. Improved circulation ensures healing areas receive more oxygen and nutrients to speed recovery time, and vibration therapy promotes production of osteoblast cells responsible for creating new bone tissue growth.
A 2019 study comparing whole-body vibration with traditional back strengthening exercises found that vibration therapy helped decrease back pain among those living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, though its results weren’t conclusive. Vibration machines should not be used if you suffer from osteoporosis, fractured vertebrae or any other health concerns.
Vibration plates work similarly to physical exercise in terms of engaging muscle fibers and strengthening bones, stimulating collagen production in joint fluid and thus decreasing pain while increasing flexibility for those living with chronic joint issues such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Whole-body vibration therapy (WBV) involves standing, sitting or lying on a vibrating platform designed to cover both your entire body or focus specifically on specific regions. WBV may not be widely available through NHS but you can often find machines in gyms or physiotherapy clinics.
WBV therapy causes vibrations throughout the entire body – feet, legs, arms and torso all feel vibrations; this contrasts with localized vibration therapy (LIV), where vibrations target specific parts through handheld devices that directly press onto muscles or joints.
Sessions typically last 10-15 minutes each day and consist of vibrations moving throughout your body from front to back and allowing you to adjust intensity and frequency as necessary. By including this therapy into your daily routine, it may help prevent injury, accelerate recovery time and enhance posture and balance; however, for maximum benefits it should also be combined with aerobic or strength training activities.
Improved Flexibility
Vibration therapy uses mechanical vibrations transmitted via a platform to trigger involuntary muscle contractions that build muscle mass and flexibility while simultaneously increasing blood flow, leading to powerful metabolic and hormonal reactions in your body. Its success largely depends upon frequency, amplitude, session length duration and individual health conditions.
Whole body vibration therapy has been shown to successfully provide relief for chronic pain, joint inflammation and muscle soreness by stimulating the body’s natural healing response, reducing inflammation and releasing endorphins – which help alleviate discomfort. Furthermore, vibrations may help increase flexibility by stretching and relaxing muscles.
Bone Strengthening Whole body vibration therapy not only strengthens muscles, but it can also increase bone density and strengthen joints by subjecting them to safe mechanical stress. This stimulation encourages new bone growth – something especially helpful in those suffering from osteoporosis.
Studies have also demonstrated how vibration therapy can significantly lower the incidence of falls among elderly individuals by improving balance and gait. This occurs because vibrations increase gravity’s effect on bones, making them more sensitive to changes in surface area.
Increased Flexibility
Whole body vibration therapy‘s gentle vibrations can greatly enhance flexibility by stretching and relaxing muscles. Furthermore, vibrations may enhance posture and balance by strengthening muscle tone. Vibration therapy also amplifies yoga and meditation benefits by loosening up tight muscles and encouraging blood flow to the heart.
One small pilot study showed that 12 individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis who combined whole body vibration therapy and exercise experienced less night spasms and improved their ability to climb stairs, suggesting vibration therapy may be useful tool in improving quality of life for those with MS.
Vibration therapy is generally safe when used properly and has few side effects when applied correctly, although pregnant women should seek medical advice prior to beginning any vibration therapy program. Whole body vibration therapy could potentially harm an unborn fetus; those with cardiovascular disease should proceed with caution, as vibration therapy increases heart rate and blood pressure; those who have joint replacements should use caution as vibrations may damage them; those living with epilepsy should steer clear as vibration therapy can cause seizures.
Enhanced Strength
Vibration therapy machines send impulses into body tissues and muscles, stimulating rapid muscle and bone contractions for greater strength and enhanced posture, coordination, and balance – ideal exercises to maintain physical wellbeing while avoiding injury. This makes whole body vibration therapy an excellent form of exercise to keep one fit and injury-free.
Whole-body vibration has long been used by medical practitioners to help their patients improve their flexibility and decrease pain, but recently it has also become accessible to the general public through vibrating platforms located at gyms or physiotherapy services.
Studies are beginning to unveil more comprehensive insight into the biological and physiological advantages of whole-body vibration. Vibration activates endplates of muscle spindles – small sensor-like receptors in muscles that inform your brain of how much you stretch or contract them – activating their endplates using vibration, which leads to recruitment of more muscle fibers as a result of enhanced recruitment mechanisms; additionally, vibration can also trigger neuromuscular mechanisms, including activating motor neurons in spinal cord.
Whole body vibration therapy shows promise in helping alleviate symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). Vibration is thought to increase production of serine-threonine protein kinase 2 (SETK2) which acts to counteract amyloid beta peptide toxicity in the brain, helping prevent apoptosis – one major cause of symptoms in both diseases.
Whole body vibration therapy offers many additional advantages, including weight loss, increased energy and better flexibility and balance. Before adding AAT into your fitness routine, it is important to understand its underlying science and any safety considerations. At Physical Healthcare of Jacksonville, our vibratory plates help support patients’ recovery and wellness goals. Get in touch with us now to discover how this revolutionary treatment could fit into your care plan! We also offer other holistic healing treatments such as massage therapy, acupuncture and Kinesiology taping that are designed to promote better living by helping our clients live a healthier life while feeling their best!
Increased Energy
Vibration therapy uses specialized machines to send mechanical vibrations through the body, inducing rapid muscle and bone contractions and thus making its use popular in fitness and rehabilitation centers. Unfortunately, not many people understand its workings or potential health benefits – incorporating vibration therapy treatments into wellness regimens requires understanding its science as well as safety considerations.
Whole body vibration therapy entails patients standing, kneeling or sitting on a vibrating platform at various speeds. The vibrations cause muscles to contract and relax faster than during regular physical activity, increasing blood flow to stimulated areas while increasing muscular strength, flexibility and balance while improving posture and posture.
Whole body vibration therapy can also aid metabolism and fat loss by speeding up metabolism and mobilizing lymph fluid from your system, aiding digestion and lymph drainage as well as improving sleep quality, essential elements to maintaining good overall health. When combined with cardiovascular and strength training exercises, vibrations can have the added advantage of supporting weight loss success. Furthermore, vibration therapy aids digestion, lymph drainage and even helps digestion during meals! Additionally, improved sleep quality contributes to greater overall well-being for body and mind alike.
Localized vibration therapy focuses only on specific muscles or joints for pain relief and to treat chronic injuries or health conditions; for instance, it has been known to reduce tremors and rigidity associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Studies indicate that whole-body vibration therapy may help reactivate muscle spindles – small sensory neurons responsible for activating muscle contraction – which may have become inactive due to spinal cord or brain trauma, inactivating them altogether and leading to impaired function of muscle spindles. Furthermore, vibrations may induce osteoblast cells which play an essential role in building bone density and decreasing bone deterioration.
Whole-body vibration therapy offers many other advantages that can enhance mental wellbeing, such as helping boost self-esteem and mood, promote physical awareness, relaxation and overall well-being. When combined with traditional psychotherapy methods it may increase effectiveness by creating an atmosphere conducive to discussing difficult topics without feeling threatened.
