We always tend to search for new ways in which we can improve our health. Maintaining healthy exercise and diet habits is foolproof when it comes to health improvement. However, while a healthier lifestyle will surely make you feel better and much healthier on the inside, you may need an additional type of support of some sort. Besides, as we get older, we start to experience various foreign health problems.
From backaches to joint aches, fighting off these symptoms while trying to get your fair share of exercise can be unpleasant. While plenty of over-the-counter medications and specialized injections can help ease the pain, they can bring about several long-term side effects.
Fortunately, there is a solution that can help you stay healthy, get in shape, and relieve aging symptoms. Whole-body vibration may just be the answer that you have been searching for. It doesn’t come with age restrictions and is beneficial for multiple reasons. Whole-body vibration is a type of technological therapy that can aid with balance, weight loss, blood flow, and bone density. It has been around since the 19th century Gustav Zander, a Russian inventor and physician found that one of his inventions generated vibrations that helped relieve body aches and constipation in 1867.
However, it wasn’t until a century later that Russian doctors discovered that similar vibrations can help astronauts prevent the bone density loss that comes with space exploration. This type of therapy has proven to be much more than a mere type of massage; it is a technique that has showed incredible potential way before the era of modern medicine. Even if you aren’t an astronaut heading to determine the possibility of life on Mars, there are still many reasons why you should give whole-body vibration therapy a go. This article will explore everything that you need to know about it.
The Procedure
Not knowing what to expect is what holds us back from trying new things. Even when we are well aware of the benefits that an experience could bring, anxiety starts to kick in. Questions about what you need to do, or even worse- what will be done to you, will start circling around your head. This is why we are here to tell you how the whole-body vibration process will go. To start the session, your therapist will either ask you to sit, stand, or lie down on a machine that’s sustained by a vibrating platform.
Your position typically depends on the problem areas or whichever issues that you are aiming to cure. Afterward, your therapist will turn on the machine, which will send vibrations across your body. You will feel that your body muscles are starting to contract and relax as soon as the vibrations come through. It has been proven that more osteoblasts, cells that are vital to bone production, are produced using this type of vibration.
While people respond differently to different stimulations, whole-body vibration therapy is generally a thrilling experience. The vibrations that are generated can be very therapeutic and can make you feel relaxed, both mentally and physically. The sensations that the vibrations donate can make you feel engulfed, in complete tranquility and contentment. Those feelings are very eminent throughout the therapy session though you can still leave feeling wonderful and extremely relaxed.
The direction and technique that the therapist uses, along with the intensity of the vibrations, heavily determine how effective the therapy session will be. You must keep in mind that the methods and intensities used differ from one case to the other. To understand what you will be getting out of the session, you should discuss the best potency and technique for your case with your therapist beforehand. This is why it’s very important to find a reputable, qualified, and experienced therapist who can guide you through the process and ensure that you are getting the ultimate benefits from your session.
How It Works
Another thing that you should know about whole-body vibration therapy before getting started is how it works. A whole-body vibration machine is beneficial for anyone who struggles or is unable to exercise, seniors, or differently-abled people. After you get in the required position, the vibrations coming from the machine will generate energy throughout your body.
Naturally, your body will respond to this external stimulation by going into a stretch reflex. This means that your muscle spindles will stretch and have an increased nerve activity; therefore, your muscles will contract and then relax. This body response can happen several times per second and around 3000 times per minute. Since a whole-body vibration session can get this intense, it can feel as though you had just exerted the same effort that you would during any other fitness session.
Benefits of Whole-Body Vibration
As mentioned above, a whole-body vibration machine has many benefits to offer. Many medical experts along with therapists believe that the results can be dramatic. The researchers at Lifetimevibe suggest that whole-body vibration sessions can help arthritis, athletic, performance, back pain, balance, cellulite, constipation, cystic fibrosis, hip pain, incontinence, insomnia, neuropathy, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and plantar fasciitis. Other primary benefits include the reduction of dizziness and fatigue. It can also aid the lymphatic system, help with blood circulation, and weight loss.
Athletic Performance
Strength, power, and elasticity are promoted when there’s an increase in blood flow and oxygen in the bloodstream. When the vibrations generated from the machine strike through your body as you hold either a dynamic or static pose for 60 seconds at a time, targeted muscle groups will be activated. This can significantly help boost one’s athletic performance. One study reveals that whole-body vibration sessions can improve vertical jump along with the general physical health of athletes, regardless of their sport.
Back Pain
If you follow up with your whole-body vibration sessions, you may feel a noticeable, and often immediate, reduction in your back pains. Since one of the highly recommended back pain treatments is stretching and strengthening the back and core muscles, whole-body vibration therapy is very beneficial in that area, as it does just so. A whole-body vibration machine can stretch and strengthen your back muscles without straining them. It is a safe, suitable, and effective solution for even those who suffer from chronic lower back pain, according to research.
Balance
Balance is one of the things that whole-body vibration machines have been proven to improve. This is mainly because they send the skeleton a mechanical loading, which boosts skeletal and muscle control and increases bone mass. Posture, gate, and balance all improve in consequence. Besides, whole-balance machines can also activate and strengthen the leg muscles, which would also help improve control and balance.
Cellulite
Many people hate the appearance of cellulite. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with cellulite, many people prefer not to have it. Whole-body vibration therapy can help reduce the appearance of cellulite by increasing muscle tone. Toned muscles can help make the skin look firmer and smoother by creating a strong surface underneath the fat. Whole-body vibration also aids in the flushing of toxins, production of collagen, promoting oxygenated tissues and cells, as well as the improvement of blood circulation, which can all decrease cellulite appearance.
Constipation
Many people suffer from long-term or chronic constipation. While over-the-counter solutions can help fix the problem on the spot, they are nothing but a short-term fix. One of the many reasons behind constipation is immobility and lack of exercise. If you are looking for a long-term constipation solution, then this is when whole-body massage therapy comes in. The vibrations that result from the therapy can help strengthen smooth bowel muscles by oscillation. Oscillation causes the bowel muscles to contract and relax rapidly, which can greatly help those who suffer from chronic constipation.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is one of the more serious health issues that whole-body vibration therapy can help with. It is a genetic disorder that hinders mucus- and sweat-producing secretory glands. Those with cystic fibrosis tend to have stickier and thicker mucus than other people, which can block airways. When mucus builds up, this can harm the lungs and lead to infection, which can result in respiratory failure. While several treatments deal with mucus removal from the airways, whole-body vibration therapy focuses on strengthening muscles, therefore always keeping airways clear.
Cystic fibrosis also comes with various other symptoms that whole-body vibration therapy helps with, such as Osteoporosis and constipation. For patients with cystic fibrosis, exercise is vital so that their muscles are strengthened and their airways remain clear. Since whole-body vibration therapy helps build muscle and mimics exercise, it is very helpful for patients with cystic fibrosis. It also helps those at risk with Osteoporosis because of the boosted muscle strength and bone density.
Hip Pain
Hip-related injuries, aging, and genetics are all probable reasons behind hip pain. Aging, along with tightness in the hips, can all suggest that one is on the path toward immobility. Leaving the pain untreated for several years can eventually lead to a hip replacement procedure, resulting in a totally different kind of pain.
Fortunately, whole-body vibration therapy can help those who suffer from hip pain, regardless of whether it is the result of arthritis or decreased bone density. According to a study, whole-body vibration therapy also demonstrated an improvement in functionality after a hip replacement procedure. It is a very effective pain reduction and even elimination method for several people.
Side-Effects and Disclaimers
Nothing in this world comes without bearing side effects. This doesn’t mean that whole-body vibration therapy should be discarded as a concept, though, it only means that it may not be suitable for everyone. As long as you are in good shape to use the machine and ensure that your therapist is an expert in the field, you should be fine.
If you have an artificial cardiac pacemaker implant, diabetes, are in recovery from a procedure, pregnant, have an acute hernia, knee or hip replacements, tumors or cancers, experience migraines, epilepsy, have cardiovascular disease, a neurological condition, or acute thrombosis, you should avoid using a whole-body vibration machine. If you suspect that you have one of these conditions or believe that any other health concerns may put you at risk during the session, you should consult with your doctor before you consider whole-body vibration therapy.
Keep in mind that even if you are healthy, using the whole-body vibration machine too often can be harmful. For instance, it can negatively impact the health of your spine. Many people, on a global level, use the machine without experiencing any side effects at all. How you and your body respond to the machine, your health history, and the status of your body all play a huge role in how the therapy session will affect you. It’s crucial to note that the machines have a maximum time limit of about 15 to 20 minutes per use. It’s best to follow the instructions and use the machine wisely and mindfully. This will guarantee that you make the most out of your session without facing the risk of harm.
If you find that your session is extending beyond the suggested time frame, you may want to inquire with your therapist. Misusing the machine can result in serious issues; you can end up with long-term harmful consequences on your musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, and/ or nervous system. If you are worried, you can ask what type of machine your therapist uses, make sure that it’s high quality, and research the manufacturer’s guidelines before your session.
Now that you have read this article, you probably have insight into whether whole-body vibration is suitable for you and your needs. Knowing what to expect, how it works, the procedure, as well as all the possible side effects, should help you make the decision. Like any other health-related decision, you should make sure to consult your doctor and select an expert therapist for the process. Whether you are an athlete looking to relieve some of the tension off your muscles, or you are healing from a serious procedure, whole-body vibration therapy will most likely leave a positive impact on your body.
