Whole Body Vibration Therapy - WBV

 

What is Whole Body Vibration Therapy?

 

Clinical studies have shown that whole body vibration - WBV - substantially improves muscle strength, performance and flexibility. It has also been proven to enhance blood and lymph circulation, which is critical in regenerating damaged tissues. WBV is also being utilized to assist the circulatory system's ability to deliver vital nutrients and hormones throughout the body.

WBV provides the same or even better effect of exercising while just standing on the machine doing nothing but listening to your favorite music. It can be used by anyone regardless of age, sex, physical or neurological condition. This is especially good news for office workers, overweight people and recovering patients, who experience difficulty exercising over extended periods of time.

Used alone, or as a pre or post workout complement to traditional strength training and cardiovascular exercise, WBV provides its conditioning benefits in a fraction of the time, compared to traditional strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Full-body workouts, consisting of movements and positions designed to train the entire body, can be done with WBV. Since it can train without the physical rigors of traditional exercise, individuals with debilitating conditions can enhance their quality of life and potentially extend it through improved overall fitness. For avid fitness enthusiasts, WBV enhances traditional exercise regimens. Check out this article from The Detroit Medical Center  

When was Whole Body Vibration Therapy developed?

 

Whole Body Vibration Therapy was first developed in the Soviet Union to condition Soviet cosmonauts to withstand the effects of weightlessness in outer space for months at a time.

 

• The Soviets conducted rigorous scientific studies spanning several decades that confirmed the remarkable restorative powers and safety of Whole Body Vibration Therapy.

 

• Soviet cosmonauts have lived in space for more a year (420 days) without suffering the serious health effects of weightlessness. American astronauts who did not use Whole Body Vibration Therapy conditioning were able to live in space for only 120 days due to muscle weakness and lowered bone density.

 

• Researchers in Germany developed the first commercial Whole Body Vibrational device, driven by electrical motors based on simple mechanical principles.

 

• Scientists in South Korea have developed a more sophisticated patented technology that eliminates many of the limitations of earlier vibrational devices. The remarkable increase in effectiveness of this new WBV approach has been demonstrated in studies in Korea.

 

Clinical Applications of Whole Body Vibration Therapy

 

Whole Body Vibration Therapy is used in the medical field for the treatment and prevention of a variety of illnesses, injuries, and adverse health conditions.

 

 

Emphysema:
Ordinarily, patients with emphysema find it nearly impossible to undertake any kind of physical exercise. WBV Therapy enables patients to achieve most of the benefits of a regular workout and helps them to do cardio-fitness training such as walking or even running.

 

MS / ALS:
Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are unable to train because the nerves are no longer capable of controlling the muscles properly. WBV Therapy activates the muscles directly without relying on the nervous system. Patients tend to feel better, have more energy to cope with everyday activities, experience less pain and are less dependent on others.

 

Osteoporosis:
Millions of Americans, especially women, are at risk of developing this disease, which results from the decalcification of the bones due to hormonal imbalances. The bones become fragile with a tendency to break easily. WBV Therapy increases bone density, usually reversing the effects of osteoporosis.

 

 

For more information about bone strength see how NASA uses Whole Body Vibration Therapy http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast02nov_1.htm

Arthritis and Rheumatism:
WBV Therapy can reduce the pain and discomfort of these conditions. It has been proven to increase blood circulation in the joints and dramatically improve flexibility and range of motion.

Lower Back Pain:
WBV Therapy can strengthen the weakened lower back muscles that cause back pain. Patients with an acute back hernia should not use WBV Therapy.

Pelvic Instability:
This condition usually results from softening of the connective tissue during pregnancy. WBV Therapy quickly brings the hormonal system into balance, enabling connective tissue to recover its strength and firmness.

Excess Body Fat:
WBV Therapy works several ways to dissolve excess body fat; it increases metabolism which burns calories more rapidly; increases blood circulation and lymphatic drainage thereby removing toxins faster. Human Growth Hormone secretion increases dramatically (460%). Excess body fat melts away effortlessly. People who use WBV Therapy for 10 minutes, three times a week, lose significantly more fat than those who engage in aerobic activity for one hour three times a week!

Cellulite:
Those lumpy fatty deposits that form an unattractive dimpling effect around the thighs and other parts simply melt away under WBV Therapy.

Stress:
Modern life is stressful, causing the release of toxic stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which throw the immune system out of balance and destroy brain cells by the millions. WBV Therapy increases human growth hormone and serotonin (the "happiness, relaxation and well-being hormone") secretion, lowers cortisol and epinephrine secretion 31%, and enhances circulation, all of which counteract the effects of stress on the body and spirit.

 

Contraindications for Use

If one of the conditions listed below applies to you we strongly recommend that you consult your physician before using Whole Body Vibration Therapy:

• Serious cardiovascular condition
• Pacemaker
• Pregnancy
• Recent surgery
• Hip, knee or shoulder implants
• Epilepsy
• Severe diabetes
• Acute hernia, discopathy, spondylolysis
• Recent infections
• Tumor
• Recently placed IUD's, metal pins or plates
• Herniated spinal disc