For the past couple of decades, Whole-body vibration (WBV) has gained a significant amount of popularity. This type of activity is performed on a piece of specialized equipment known as the body vibrating machine or the vibrating plate. It is an innovative piece of fitness machinery that produces high-frequency vibrations, which benefit many parts of the human body. The vibrating machine finds a vast spectrum of applications and is used by people from all sorts of backgrounds. For instance, some use the vibrating machine for osteoporosis, back pain relief, or lymphatic drainage, whereas others take advantage of the high-frequency oscillations for boosting muscle strength, improving circulation, and losing weight. In the following lines, we are going to explore in greater detail the use of the vibration plate for osteoporosis.
Vibration therapy (VT), commonly referred to as Whole-body vibration, is a type of physical activity that delivers high-frequency vibrations to the body. In order for that to happen, people need to stand or lay down on a vibrating platform, which is the core of the body vibrating machine. The mechanical oscillations that are produced by the machine stimulate the muscles to contract at a higher rate, which leads to increased muscle tone, improved circulation, and better flexibility. Over the past decade or two, body vibrating machines have been subjects to numerous scientific studies and meta-analyses, including research that focuses on vibration therapy for broken bones. The majority of the results have been promising which has led to the increasing popularity of the WBV within the gym, rehabilitation, and home setting. Even though many people use the vibration plate for osteoporosis, the equipment is also used by athletes, fitness enthusiasts, physiotherapy patients, as well as by anybody else who is unable to engage with regular physical activity.
VT was introduced for the first time in the late 19th century but started gaining popularity in the early 1960s. Back then, NASA started using the equipment for strengthening the bones of its astronauts. The scientific evidence suggests that space travelers lose up to 2% of their bone tissue per month spent outside the Earth’s orbit. For that reason, NASA scientists were looking for solutions to slow down bone loss in astronauts and they found it in the WBV machine. NASA discovered that only 15 – 20 minutes a day on the vibrating plate were enough not only preventing bone thinning but also for regaining the bone tissue that has already been lost. Ever since that finding, people use the vibrating machine for osteoporosis prevention and taken full advantage of vibration therapy for broken bones and fractures. The main benefit of the equipment is achieved by the stimulation of the muscle tissue which, in turn, puts extra pressure on the skeleton, making it stronger.
VT can be divided into two main types, namely Low-intensity vibration (LIV), and Whole-body vibration (WBV). As implied by the name of the therapy, WBV machines produce bigger oscillations that affect the whole body, whereas LIV machines are smaller and deliver vibrations with a lower frequency. The latter usually affect the area that is in close proximity to the vibrating platform.
During whole-body VT, the mechanical oscillations are emitted by a larger vibrating platform that often comes with a handrail for extra safety. This type of equipment is commonly found in rehabilitation centers, gyms, and bigger offices. Some of the most popular WBV machine manufacturers include HyperVibe, Galileo, and PowerPlate, whose products offer bigger flexibility and a vast range of settings. Just as with any other type of physical activity, vibrating platform users need to start slowly and increase the vibration intensity (the height of the amplitude) and speed (the frequency) gradually. Having said that, WBV is not for everyone. If you have one or more of the following conditions, you need to stay away:
Low-intensity vibration therapy machines are smaller than their WBV counterparts, resembling more of a bathroom scale. The frequencies produced by LIVT equipment are generally lower (30 times per second), which allows the oscillations to travel up to the middle of the body only when standing. Low-intensity vibration devices have been specially designed in a way to ensure the safety of users and the lack of any contraindications or unpleasant side effects. Because of that, and the lower vibration frequency produced by LIVT machines, they can be used by anyone, regardless of age, life stage, or physical health.
So far, the scientific evidence, such as this PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis, suggests that WBV increases muscle strengths, speeds up metabolisms, improves blood circulation, aids lymphatic drainage, accelerates physical recovery, and helps weight loss. Recent studies that have been investigating the vibration plate osteoporosis applications reveal that the regular use of the machines tends to also strengthen bones in healthy individuals. As to whether WBV is better in improving bone health than other types of therapies, it is still not fully clear, hence the need for further studies. Until then, the machines can still be used for overall health improvement, including that of muscles, joints, and bones.
To date, there is a large volume of studies showing promising results with regards to the vibration plate osteoporosis uses. At the same time, there are clinical trials that deny the benefits of the WBV related to bone mineral density and strength. This is why it is not yet fully clear whether the vibrating platforms help relieve the symptoms of osteoporosis. What is certain however is the fact that WBV helps reduce falls and the risk of bone fractures. It is worth mentioning that any type of physical activity bears its benefits and risks, including a higher chance of broken bones. Furthermore, all sorts of mechanical oscillations can be harmful to the spinal bones, provided they are too fragile. Users should also take extra care when getting on and off the vibrating machine, as the risk of tripping and falling is higher. Finally, people who are not sure whether WBV platforms are for them should speak to their doctor or physiotherapist, prior to using the equipment. Conclusion Numerous factors aid bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Among the most beneficial ones are a healthy diet, adequate sun exposure, and sufficient intake of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Regular weight-lifting exercises, ceasing smoking, and reducing the alcohol intake, can further help. More recently, WBV has been gaining popularity as bone-strengthening therapy too, however additional studies are needed in that direction. In the meantime, people can still take full advantage of the equipment and improve their overall health in a time-efficient and pain-free manner. References (in order of appearance) Fischer, M., et al. (2019). Long-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Human Gait: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers of Neurology. Chen, Hengting MDa,b; Ma, Jianxiong PhDc; Lu, Bin MDc; Ma, Xin-long MDc, (2017). The effect of whole-body vibration training on lean mass, Medicine: Volume 96 – Issue 45. Dionello, C. F., Sá-Caputo, D., Pereira, H. V., Sousa-Gonçalves, C. R., Maiworm, A. I., Morel, D. S., Moreira-Marconi, E., Paineiras-Domingos, L. L., Bemben, D., & Bernardo-Filho, M. (2016). Effects of whole-body vibration exercises on the bone mineral density of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications: novel findings and literature review. Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions, 16(3), 193–203.
In the realm of fitness and weight loss, the vibration...
Lately, vibration therapy (VT) has been finding implementation in more...
The lymphatic system, also called the lymphoid system, is an...
Taking into consideration the growing popularity of the vibration plate,...
Most probably you are already familiar with the body vibration...
There’s a mounting body of evidence that points to a massive range of benefits of whole-body vibration. Vibration plates are...
Since their inception in the mid-20th century, vibration plates have been steadily paving their way into the human health realm....
Lately, vibration therapy (VT) has been finding implementation in more or less every area of human health. Weight loss, muscle...
The fact that you are reading this article reveals that you are most probably familiar with the whole body vibration...
The fact that you are reading this article shows that you care about your health and most probably have embraced...
In osteoporosis, bones become thinner as a result of bone mineral density decreasing, so people who have been diagnosed with...
In the realm of fitness and weight loss, the vibration...
Lately, vibration therapy (VT) has been finding implementation in more...
The lymphatic system, also called the lymphoid system, is an...
Taking into consideration the growing popularity of the vibration plate,...
Most probably you are already familiar with the body vibration...
