Whole Body Vibration Therapy (WBV) may be beneficial in many conditions; however, its use should be undertaken carefully based on specific medical and physical restrictions.
WBV involves standing on a vibrating machine that transmits energy directly into your muscles, stimulating them to contract and relax multiple times every second. Studies have proven this approach effective for improving balance, mobility, spasticity and strength.
Pregnancy
Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise machines use vibrating plates to transmit mechanical vibrations through the body and promote strength, flexibility, and circulation while aiding weight loss and increasing vertical jumping ability for athletes. They may even increase bone density and decrease risk of osteoporosis for premenopausal osteoporosis sufferers.
Although not much research exists on WBV exercises and pregnancy, there is some indication that prolonged exposure may not be beneficial to an unborn baby. According to one study, women employed in occupations exposing them to vibration had an increased risk of gestational hypertension and diabetes compared with non-exposed counterparts if exposed for extended periods, such as driving trucks or operating heavy machines.
Studies have also shown that WBV can enhance immunity and help ward off disease, thanks to vibrations stimulating anti-inflammatory chemical release and increasing blood flow to the immune system – two essential steps in keeping an individual safe against infections.
Vibration may help improve posture, which in turn has an indirect impact on lower back pain. According to studies, vibration can super-activate postural muscles responsible for proper alignment – providing relief if you suffer from sciatica, fibromyalgia or arthritis conditions.
Vibration therapy is generally safe for most people; however, pregnant women and those with heart conditions should avoid it as vibration therapy can increase heart rate and blood pressure, increasing your heartbeat as well as trigger seizures in some epilepsy sufferers. Targeted vibration therapies like those offered by Intellinetix may provide better solutions – they are customizable according to individual threshold levels so as not to cause back pain or injury.
Cardiovascular Disease
Vibration therapy is an exercise technique which uses vibrating plates to create mechanical oscillations that help increase range of motion, promote muscle strength and decrease pain levels. Vibration therapy also contributes to postural stability and bone health benefits.
However, vibration therapy could pose some risks to those with cardiovascular disease; therefore it’s essential that prior to using vibration therapy you consult your physician first.
Vibration therapy offers many advantages, yet can sometimes cause muscle twitching. This may happen if using the vibrator for long periods or the vibration strength is too strong; therefore, it’s important to know if this is normal and how best to avoid it.
If you suffer from heart conditions, vibration training should be limited or discontinued altogether as vibration can lead to irregular heartbeats or blood pressure fluctuations that could lead to fainting and even death. If this occurs for you, call 911 immediately.
Avoid whole body vibration therapy if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, as this could lead to hypotension – a drop in blood pressure – which can make breathing difficult or cause fainting. Prior to engaging in any new exercise program it’s also wise to consult your physician first.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of whole-body vibration therapy (WBV) for improving balance, postural stability, bone mass density and sensorimotor performance. WBV can also be effective at reducing weight, improving strength and decreasing falls and fractures risks.
As studies differ in terms of vibration protocols, comorbidities, posture and timing of cognitive tests; there is limited data about the impact of WBV on cognition.
Studies have also demonstrated how vibration therapy can assist with relieving fibromyalgia pain by strengthening local muscles. Furthermore, studies have proven it helps relieve migraine and severe headaches as well as help alleviate migraine-like headaches caused by migraine headaches. Finally, research shows it can reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Joint Replacement
Vibration therapy has become an increasingly popular solution to enhance muscle strength, bone density, balance, flexibility and sensorimotor performance in various settings. Additionally, vibration therapy may aid weight loss efforts, improve digestive symptoms and boost energy levels – however it is important to be aware of potential contraindications for whole body vibration therapy as the treatment can have adverse consequences if used improperly or with an ineffective frequency frequency level.
Vibration therapy can offer significant relief for people suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis, as it is thought to reduce inflammation and stiffness in joints. Furthermore, Intellinetix research showed that more than half of their study’s participants experienced improvement after receiving whole-body vibration therapy treatments.
Vibrating platforms deliver energy to the entire body, stimulating muscles and ligaments to contract and relax numerous times per second, which facilitates neuromuscular junction formation, where nerve cells and muscles communicate directly. Vibration frequencies vary with lower frequencies increasing blood flow to reduce swelling while higher frequencies help strengthen muscles.
Vibration and exercise together have been found to significantly enhance functional performance after hip replacement surgery. A randomized trial involving 27 patients 1 to 3 years post-hip surgery demonstrated this relationship through whole-body vibration rehabilitation protocol with significantly better results than those who didn’t use the platform; vibration users performed more dynamic exercises and had higher scores on Sensory Organization Test, Bassey Power Rigg Test, Timed Get Up and Go Test scores than non-vibration users.
Children with cerebral palsy have also reported increased mobility and function after receiving whole-body vibration therapy, particularly for improving gait and balance. According to one 2021 study, just two weeks of whole-body vibration therapy improved balance, gait and spasticity more effectively in subacute stroke survivors compared with a control group.
Whole-body vibration therapy is generally well tolerated by most healthy adults. There are only limited contraindications for its use, such as kidney stones. Anyone with a history of kidney disease should speak to their physician prior to beginning any treatments.
Epilepsy
Whole body vibration therapy (WBVT) involves using machines that generate mechanical oscillations to induce rapid muscle contractions, stimulating balance, strength, flexibility and pain reduction while decreasing inflammation and pain levels. WBVT can also be used as an aid in osteoarthritis treatment as well as to increase bone density in patients.
Vibration therapy can be performed alone or combined with other therapies, such as massage or physical therapy, for maximum effect. A physician or qualified therapist should oversee this procedure; depending on the condition being treated, frequency and amplitude can be altered accordingly to suit each patient.
Vibration therapy was originally developed as a means for astronauts to maintain muscle tissue and increase bone density during space missions, but has recently become widely available to the public as a form of exercise. Vibration therapy has proven its worth as an exercise method with numerous health advantages including weight loss, improved strength training, reduced risk of injury and posture improvement for stroke survivors as well as treating stress urinary incontinence effectively.
Studies have demonstrated that whole body vibration therapy can decrease muscle soreness and delay delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after exercise, boost metabolism and burn more calories, aid digestion and promote lymphatic drainage. Furthermore, whole-body vibration is also shown to have beneficial effects in those living with Parkinson’s disease by decreasing tremors and rigidity.
There is very limited literature regarding the effect of vibration on the brain due to differences in protocols, study population characteristics, posture during vibration exposure and cognitive testing – this makes comparing results difficult and creating standardised protocols difficult.
Though research remains limited, some studies have reported positive cognitive benefits from whole body vibration therapy; however, these appear to wane over time and further evaluation is required in order to ascertain long-term consequences of this form of treatment.
