Lately, vibration therapy has been gaining quite a momentum. And for a good reason – the ever-growing scientific data on the topic has been revealing some truly impressive results. It appears that the high-frequency, a low-amplitude exercise that is performed on a body vibration plate benefits our health in more or less every possible aspect.
Denser bones, stronger muscles, healthier heart, faster physical recovery, decreased stress levels, and reduced body weight, are just some of the numerous positives of the innovative activity. But how about the health of our joints? Can you use vibration therapy for knee pain, and if yes, how exactly? Let’s find out together!
In an ideal case scenario, our bones, and joints respectively, go through a cycle of damage and repair.
It has been estimated that we have a brand new skeleton every 10 years.
Unfortunately, in some circumstances, our bodies cannot cope with the damage adequately and the repair process causes changes in the structure of the joints.
These joint deformities are what is known as the actual disease of osteoarthritis (OA).
The unpleasant condition makes the knee cartilage thinner and the surface around the joint get rougher.
The ultimate result is a joint that cannot move as smoothly as it is supposed to, causing a feeling of stiffness, pain, and discomfort.
According to scientific data, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) could affect everyone regardless of age or gender, but it’s mainly found in women over 65.
In the United States alone there are over 27 million people affected by knee OA.
If you are impacted by it, most likely you will experience a painful sensation in the knee area.
The pain might come and go, and in most cases is worse in the evenings.
It could be felt all around the knee or just the front or side.
Occasionally, people with osteoarthritis knee might have the pain wake them during the nighttime or feel stiffness in the mornings.
The best thing to do if the pain worsens is to allow enough time for rest.
Additionally, you can take advantage of the knee joint pain relief machine (body vibration platform) and the activity offered by it.
What Are the 4 Stages of Osteoarthritis Knee?
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis – a medical condition associated with the swelling of the joints.
Among all joints in the body, the knee is the one that is most commonly affected by degenerative disease.
As to the actual joint – this is the point where two (or more) bones meet together.
Scientists have indicated that the number of individuals suffering from KOA is rising steadily, stating that approximately 50% of the human population is likely to develop the illness during their lifetime.
The pain which is associated with the condition could be identified easily with the help of common symptoms or the right diagnostics.
The disease is categorized into 4 stages, varying from minor to severe.
Depending on the stage you are in, your medical provider will suggest the most appropriate treatment.
Below are the 4 stages of KOA:
1. Stage One – Minor:
patients in this stage will exhibit minor wear and tear in the knee joint, including bone growths at the end of the joint.
Pain is unlikely to appear at this stage.
Special treatment is also uncommon during stage 1, however, lifestyle changes and the use of some supplements are encouraged.
2. Stage Two – #Mild:
during this stage people suffering from KOA typically experience more bone growth.
Pain is also commonly observed, even though not as much as in the later stages.
Stiffness and discomfort are also exhibited by sufferers.
Usually, doctors will prescribe a specific exercise regime for you to follow to stop the progression of the disease.
Vibration therapy for knee pain could also be encouraged at that stage, especially for strengthening the muscle tissue around the joint, as can be seen from this study.
3. Stage Three – Moderate:
in this stage patients experience progressive erosion of the knee cartilage, narrowing the space between the thigh and the shin bones.
The joint becomes much rougher leading to moderate inflammation and frequent bouts of pain.
Stiffness and snapping sounds during walking are also observed.
In stage 3 medical specialists may prescribe a pain-relief therapy, such as whole-body vibration, or over-the-counter drugs.
Codeine or oxycodone could also be suggested by doctors.
4. Stage Four – Severe:
this stage is considered to be the most severe.
Patients experience a significant reduction of the space between the joint bones, making the knee extremely stiff.
Severe inflammation, pain, and discomfort are often observed.
Soft tissues around the joint could also be destroyed.
The most adequate treatment in this stage is a realignment surgery, during which the thigh and shin bones are shortened, thus reducing the stress on the joint.
Arthroplasty (total knee replacement) may also be suggested by your medical provider.
Is Vibration Good for Osteoarthritis?
Millions of people around the world live with osteoarthritis, severe inflammation, and other medical conditions that affect normal joint functioning.
These can not only lead to constant pain but also could limit the ability to move around.
In such instances, body vibration therapy might offer a useful tool for reducing the symptoms of the unpleasant condition.
Whole-body vibration has been found to benefit patients with KOA in many different ways.
It stimulates the muscle tissue, improves the function of ligaments, aids optimal blood circulation, strengthens joints, reduces inflammation, and decreases the sense of pain.
Therefore, exercise is an ideal means for treating conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis.
Over the past decade or so, the link between vibration plate and bad knees has been extensively studied, showing some pretty positive results.
Scientists have discovered that the high-frequency vibrations produced by the platform play the role of a sensory distraction, thus further blocking pain signals that are traveling through the body’s nerve system.
As little as 15 – 20 minutes a day, 3 – 5 days a week are enough for you to experience the positive effect of the activity.
Some clinical trials show positive outcomes in patients with KOA even after a short 3-month intervention.
What is even more, you can now use the vibration machine from the convenience of your own home.
The equipment can be found in a growing number of rehabilitation centers, or delivered straight to your door for self-administration.
There is no prescription needed, even though it is highly recommended that you follow a program designed by a specialist.
Thanks to the therapy, individuals suffering from knee OA have experienced bigger mobility, greater activity, and improved body functionality.
Keep in mind though that you will need to discover an adequate balance between vibration exercise and rest.
For instance, most individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis share that too much physical activity increases pain, whereas too little leads to stiffness in the joints.
Even though it shares some similarities, such as a vibration frequency between 5 – 35 Herz, and an amplitude of up to 8 mm, vibration therapy treatment for knee OA is individual among sufferers, depending on the stage and the severity of the condition.
For best results, seek advice from a specialist with adequate experience in the whole-body vibration field.
Is it good to massage arthritic knees?
KOA is one of the most common types of arthritis.
It is mainly seen in older adults who suffer from damaged joint cartilage as these “shock absorbers” eventually get worn down. Unfortunately, with KOA, you will likely face pain, swelling, and inflammation that can limit your movements and daily activities.
But before you opt for medication or surgery, there are some scientific studies that show that there is another way to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with arthritic knees.
The answer lies in massage for KOA.
For those who don’t yet know much about it, massage therapy for the knees has been shown to have positive results for pain sufferers.
The way in which it works is that through massage, blood is brought to the knee, which initiates the immune response to repair soft tissue.
This also helps with circulation.
It can also ease joint inflammation and pain and reduce symptoms of painful knees while improving overall function, and joint flexibility, bringing in new joint fluid.
Furthermore, massage can help improve the tone and increase the overall flexibility of the muscles that support and stabilize the affected knee.
In addition, massage as a complementary and alternative therapy to medication and surgery is not only widely used for pain alleviation, but it is much safer, lower cost, and easy to access as a means of treatment.
Therefore and in short, massage can be an important way to address knee pain as a result of KOA.
This has been proven by studies in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. This is in addition to studies carried out in 2006, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.
And the best part is that massage is generally known to have little if any side effects, making it a promising therapeutic option for those suffering from KOA.
Although massage is not meant to replace traditional treatments such as physical therapy, weight loss, and medication, it is still an important way to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Of course, massage isn’t for everyone with KOA and it should be avoided by people suffering from pre-existing high blood pressure, osteoporosis (brittle bones), varicose veins, damaged or eroded joints from arthritis, flare or inflammation, fever, or skin rash, etc.
What devices help with knee pain?
For those that are looking for alternative solutions to massage for knee pain, there are several options you can try.
These include:
Using shoe inserts when you walk to lessen the impact on your joints
Using custom splints for proper joint positioning either when sleeping or active
Using a knee brace to manage the discomfort of osteoarthritis by shifting the weight of the most damaged portion of your knee
Leaning on a cane can transfer more weight off your knee, helping to reduce pain
Using crutches to let your arms bear the weight when you alk
Using walkers, reachers, or grab bars once again to shift your weight as you move or position yourself around your home
There are also massagers for knee pain that can directly target the affected area to help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain
Are massagers good for knee pain?
For those of you who would like to avoid assistive devices and try the benefits of massage for KOA, it may be a good idea to opt for a massager for knee pain.
Whether you opt for a massage gun, a heated knee massager, or another type of device to help alleviate your pain and symptoms of KOA, you will be glad to know that massagers for knee pain can be a highly effective solution to intermittent or even chronic KOA issues.
Why is this the case? Because massagers for knee pain directly target the area and are a more natural way to manage aches and pains, tension, stiffness, and swelling, decrease tension in soft tissue, boost circulation and lymph, and more.
In addition, massage can increase serotonin production, providing natural pain relief.
It’s also good for fostering deep sleep which can also help with recovery.
But perhaps more importantly, they can be a more comfortable and budget-friendly option than seeking the help of a professional masseuse several times per week.
What is the fastest way to relieve knee pain?
Apart from using a massager for knee pain, there are several other quick-fix solutions and prevention methods for addressing knee pain and the symptoms associated with KOA. Some of these include:
Avoid sitting with your knees bent for longer than 10 minutes
Avoid sitting cross-legged
Wear supportive footwear
Sleep with a pillow between or under your knee
Drink enough quantities of water
Try to keep your thigh muscles strong and flexible
Avoid wearing high heels
Walk on softer instead of on hard surfaces
Use ice and heat intermittently (where heat is for chronic pain and ice is for fresh injuries)
Is vibration good for a knee injury?
And as promised above, we will now share with you one of the best, most low-impact ways to address knee pain as a result of KOA.
If you are using a massager for knee pain, it’s worth knowing that heat, massage, and whole-body vibration therapy is backed by many studies and are proven to alleviate KOA pain.
This refers to situations where the patient is both standing or walking or engaged in dynamic balance. It can also help with gait ability and increased range of motion and mobility.
Furthermore, vibration platforms are capable of improving strength and function, reducing pain level intensity, and improving lower limb functionality for those with knee disorders.
In fact, some studies suggest that whole-body vibration should be used as part of KOA rehabilitation programs to improve patients’ daily quality of life.
This is done by:
Stimulating the muscle tissue
Improving ligament function
Aiding in optimal blood circulation
Strengthening joints
Reducing inflammation
Decreasing levels of pain
Concluding thoughts If you are looking for soothing options to alleviate knee pain as a result of KOA, then using a massager for knee pain in conjunction with a vibration plate for whole-body vibration therapy is your best bet for pain relief and symptom alleviation.
The benefits of whole-body vibration are scientifically proven to help people with KOA.
And when you perform it in the comfort of your own home knowing that it’s an extremely low-impact activity with great results for your joints, you’ll never look back.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis – an unpleasant condition that is characterized by swelling of the joints and the surrounding tissues.
From all bodily joints, the knee is the one that is most commonly impacted by the illness.
Frequent pain, inflammation, and stiffness are just some of the symptoms of OA, which have decreased the life quality of millions of people in the USA and abroad.
Luckily, scientists have now discovered a new methodology for tackling the medical condition, namely vibration therapy for knee pain.
The exercise has been found to benefit knee OA sufferers in various ways, with many experiencing improvements even after three months of intervention.
All that the equipment requires from you is to dedicate 15 – 20 minutes a day, 3 – 5 days a week to it.
Rockell Williamson-Rudder is a movement specialist and fitness educator with a background in boutique fitness, WBV training, and Pilates. As International Program Director at Hypervibe, she has developed training programs for therapists and trainers worldwide. A former professional dancer and global fitness leader, she has helped expand wellness brands internationally.
Whole-body vibration therapy science, though seemingly modern, has been used for decades by medical professionals to treat various physical conditions....
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!