Whole-body vibration using vibration therapy applies quick, sustained vibration force to the muscles to contract and then relax. These quick, sustained muscle contractions, commonly called “muscle vibration therapy” or EMS, trigger natural tissue release, increased blood circulation, and increased flexibility. Vibration therapy offers many tangible benefits for the back and joints. To determine the level of vibration therapy for arthritis, you will want to follow the steps below.
Benefits
Research and discussion have found that there are many different beneficial impacts of vibration therapy for healing. One of the main positive effects is its ability to reduce pain and promote healing from injured soft tissues, ligaments and tendons. It has been proven that vibration therapy for the soft tissues, as well as the joints and ligaments, can help reduce pain, improve function and speed the process of healing. Some of the other benefits of vibration therapy include:
- Acute and chronic pain management. People suffering from acute pain may benefit from vibration therapy as a complementary therapy treatment option for pain management after an injury. This includes pain, stiffness and soreness following exercise, sports injuries, or during periods of standing or sitting. Most vibration therapy options work by applying pressure to specific points on the body. This helps to release tension in the muscles, soft tissues and ligaments, improving flexibility and mobility.
- Muscle balance and condition. Muscles are a major component of our total health. They control movement, posture, balance, reaction time, energy level and are integral to our daily activities. Injuries often result in decreased range of motion, loss of muscle strength and a decrease in the overall functioning of the body. Through whole body vibration therapy, you will achieve improved flexibility and range of motion, as well as increased strength and tone, helping to rehabilitate damaged muscles and restore their functionality.
- Improved fitness. By training your entire body with vibration therapy, you will gain improved bone density and muscle tone, allowing you to enjoy better overall flexibility and mobility. The effects of vibration therapy for the whole body can also help to reduce stress, improve mood, provide relief from depression, improve sleep and promote general wellness. Vibration is particularly effective for people who are recovering from some type of physical injury, or athletes who are trying to increase strength and endurance. For people with muscle spasms or other problems, whole-body vibration therapy has shown to be particularly beneficial.
- Improved cardiovascular health. There have been some impressive research studies, including one published in the American Journal of Physical Therapy showing that vibration therapy for the heart and circulatory system has had a significant effect on heart health. Patients who underwent this therapy saw improvements in heart rate, cardiac output, contractility and relaxation. And those who were given a higher level of vibration experienced a reduction in fatigue and pain. While this study can’t tell us everything we need to know about the impact of vibration therapy on the heart and circulatory system, it does show a clear connection between increased levels of blood flow and cardiovascular health.
- Improved bone density and muscle strength. One study comparing college students who participated in vibration therapy with those who did not, found that those who received the therapy showed a significant improvement in bone density and muscle strength, compared to those who did not receive the therapy. The vibration caused by the machine was set at a frequency that caused specific vibrations to be received by the bones and muscles. These increased levels of blood and oxygen carried nutrients to the bones, which resulted in an improvement in bone density and muscle strength.
There is also some evidence that vibration therapy is effective in the treatment of pain. A prospective study published in the American Journal of Physical Therapy found that lower back pain, neck pain and sciatica patients who participated in vibration therapy experienced a significant reduction in their pain levels, as did those who received massage therapy. Vibration may be particularly effective for the treatment of low back pain because it allows the chiropractic practitioner direct pressure on the muscles, which reduces the compression of tissues that can lead to the formation of sore and possibly painful spines.