How does vibration therapy work?
During whole-body vibration therapy, your therapist will ask you to stand, sit, or lay on a machine supported by a vibrating platform. For example, they may ask you to stand in a half-squat position with your knees bent.
When the vibrations are transmitted to your body, they cause your muscles to contract and relax. Certain types of vibrations may also cause your body to produce more osteoblasts. These are cells that produce bone.
What are the health benefits of vibration therapy?
Advocates claim that whole-body and localized vibration therapy have a range of health benefits. For example, some people claim vibration therapy can help:
- Increase bone density
- Increase muscle mass
- Improve circulation
- Reduce joint pain
- Reduce back pain
- Alleviate stress
- Boost metabolism
More research on vibration therapy is needed. But early findings suggest it may have some benefits for treating certain conditions.