Why do we encourage our patients to do "Vibration Therapy" after an adjustment?
(... why WOULDN'T we when there are SO many amazing benefits???)
An essential component to our approach when it comes to corrective chiropractic care is retraining your nervous system and corresponding nerve receptors, muscles, proprioception, etc to develop and maintain structural and postural positions.
Essentially, to help you progress in your care quicker, and maintain the corrective changes you are developing.
There are also many other benefits to vibration therapy that I briefly outline below. Plenty of good reason to spend your recommended amount of time 'vibing' after your adjustment!
Time to vibe
In recent years, whole-body vibration therapy has gained attention as a novel approach to improving health and wellness. This non-invasive treatment involves standing, sitting, or lying on a vibrating platform, which transmits mechanical vibrations through the body. While initially used for rehabilitation purposes, research suggests that whole-body vibration therapy offers a wide range of benefits beyond musculoskeletal health. In this blog, we delve into the physiological effects of whole-body vibration therapy and explore how it can positively impact various systems within the body.
Neuromuscular System Enhancement:
Whole-body vibration therapy stimulates muscle contraction through involuntary reflexes, leading to increased muscle activation and recruitment.
The rapid muscle contractions induced by vibration therapy can improve muscle strength, endurance, and power, making it an effective adjunct to resistance training programs.
Skeletal System Strengthening:
Mechanical vibrations exerted on bones during whole-body vibration therapy can stimulate bone remodeling and enhance bone density.
Regular vibration therapy may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and improve bone health, particularly in individuals at risk of bone loss due to aging or sedentary lifestyle.
Nervous System Modulation:
Vibrations transmitted through the body during therapy stimulate sensory receptors in muscles and joints, providing sensory input to the central nervous system.
This sensory stimulation can lead to improved proprioception, balance, and coordination, making it beneficial for athletes, older adults, and individuals with neurological conditions.
Hormonal Response Regulation:
Whole-body vibration therapy has been shown to influence hormonal responses, including increased secretion of growth hormone and testosterone.
These hormonal changes may contribute to muscle growth, repair, and recovery, as well as metabolic regulation and overall well-being.
Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage:
The mechanical vibrations generated during therapy promote vasodilation and enhance blood flow, improving circulation throughout the body.
Enhanced circulation can aid in nutrient delivery, waste removal, and tissue repair, while also facilitating lymphatic drainage and reducing fluid retention.
Enhanced Strength and Balance:
Regular sessions of whole-body vibration therapy can lead to improvements in muscle strength, balance, and postural stability.
These improvements are particularly beneficial for older adults, athletes, and individuals undergoing rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries or conditions.
Conclusion: Whole-body vibration therapy offers a promising approach to enhancing physiology and promoting overall health and wellness. By harnessing the power of mechanical vibrations, this non-invasive treatment modality can positively impact the neuromuscular system, skeletal system, hormonal responses, strength, balance, and more. Whether used as part of a rehabilitation program, fitness regimen, or preventive healthcare strategy, whole-body vibration therapy has the potential to optimize human performance and well-being from within.
References
and Resources
Neuromuscular System Enhancement:
Rittweger, J. (2010). Vibration as an exercise modality: how it may work, and what its potential might be. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 108(5), 877–904. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1303-3]
Skeletal System Strengthening:
Rubin, C., & Judex, S. (2004). The physiology of bone strength. Journal of Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interactions, 4(3), 268–274.
Beck, B. R., & Norling, T. L. (2010). The effect of 8 mos of twice-weekly low- or higher intensity whole body vibration on risk factors for postmenopausal hip fracture. The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 25(3), 554–561. [DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.090819]
Nervous System Modulation:
Rogan, S., Taeymans, J., & Clijsen, R. (2015). Whole body vibration training as a potential treatment for delayed-onset muscle soreness: an exploratory outcome. Journal of Athletic Training, 50(1), 45–53. [DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.50]
Hazell, T. J., Thomas, G. W., DeGuire, J. R., & Lemon, P. W. R. (2008). Vertical whole-body vibration does not increase cardiovascular stress to static semi-squat exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(5), 903–908. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-008-0840-8]
Hormonal Response Regulation:
Bosco, C., Colli, R., Introini, E., Cardinale, M., Tsarpela, O., Madella, A., ... Viru, A. (1999). Adaptive responses of human skeletal muscle to vibration exposure. Clinical Physiology, 19(2), 183–187. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2281.1999.00168.x]
Ronnestad, B. R., & Ellefsen, S. (2011). Elevations in blood markers of muscle damage and collagen breakdown induced by whole-body vibration training in humans. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111(6), 1449–1456. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1753-2]
Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage:
Lohman III, E. B., Petrofsky, J. S., Maloney-Hinds, C., Betts-Schwab, H., & Thorpe, D. (2007). The effect of whole body vibration on lower extremity skin blood flow in normal subjects. Medical Science Monitor, 13(2), CR71–CR76. [PMID: 17261991]
Bakar, Y., Yapici, A., Kayhan, O., & Sendur, O. F. (2013). The effects of vibration therapy on muscle blood flow in peripheral arterial disease. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 25(1), 22–27. [DOI: 10.4278/20130116]
Enhanced Strength and Balance:
Rees, S. S., Murphy, A. J., Watsford, M. L., & McLachlan, K. A. (2009). Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on lower-extremity muscle strength and power in an older population: a randomized clinical trial. Physical Therapy, 89(4), 382–390. [DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20080257]
Bogaerts, A., Delecluse, C., Claessens, A. L., Coudyzer, W., Boonen, S., & Verschueren, S. M. (2007). Impact of whole-body vibration training versus fitness training on muscle strength and muscle mass in older men: a 1-year randomized controlled trial. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 63(6), 630–638. [DOI: 10.1093/gerona/63.6.630]
J Appl Biomech. 2021 Oct 1;37(5):494-507.
doi: 10.1123/jab.2020-0365. Epub 2021 Sep 16.
Biodynamic Responses to Whole-Body Vibration Training: A Systematic Review
Physiol Int. 2016 Jun 1;103(2):133-145.
doi: 10.1556/036.103.2016.2.1.
The application of whole-body vibration in physiotherapy - A narrative review
Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Apr 26;58(5):595.
doi: 10.3390/medicina58050595.
Whole-Body Vibration Effects on Flexibility in Artistic Gymnastics-A Systematic Review
Work. 2018;59(4):571-583.
doi: 10.3233/WOR-182699.
Effect of whole-body vibration on neuromuscular performance: A literature review
Result: Whole-body vibration, along with additional exercise training, has a potential to induce substantial improvement in neuromuscular performance.
Conclusion: Whole-body vibration can bring about improvement in muscles strength, power, and flexibility. The main factors associated with the improvement in muscles performance are range of amplitude and frequency, type of vibration and its method of application, training intensity, exercise protocol, and the characteristics of the participants.
Growth Factors 2017 Oct;35(4-5):189-200.
doi: 10.1080/08977194.2017.1401619.
Can whole body vibration exercises affect growth hormone concentration? A systematic review
"analysed 12 papers (182 subjects recruited), verifying their level of evidence (National Health and Medical Research Council hierarchy of evidence) and the methodological quality (PEDRo scale). Although WBV induced GH responses in nine out of 12 publications, caution should be however taken when considering the results due to the markedly different methodologies among these publications."
Clin Rehabil. 2011 Nov;25(11):975-88.
doi: 10.1177/0269215511405078. Epub 2011 Aug 17.
The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Results: Thirteen randomized trials (18 articles) totalling 896 subjects fulfilled the selection criteria. Four were considered to have good or excellent methodological quality and the rest were rated as fair. Meta-analyses revealed that whole body vibration has no significant effect on hip or lumbar spine bone mineral density in older women when compared with no intervention or active exercise (P > 0.05). Whole body vibration, however, had a significant treatment effect on knee extension dynamic strength (standardized mean difference = 0.63, P = 0.006), leg extension isometric strength (standardized mean difference = 0.57, P = 0.003), and functional measures of leg muscle strength such as jumping height (standardized mean difference = 0.51, P = 0.010) and performance in sit-to-stand (standardized mean difference = 0.72, P < 0.001) among older adults compared with no intervention.
Conclusion: Whole body vibration is beneficial for enhancing leg muscle strength among older adults. However, the review suggests that whole body vibration has no overall treatment effect on bone mineral density in older women. No randomized trial has examined the effects of whole body vibration on bone mineral density in older men.
Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(11):883-93.
doi: 10.3109/09638288.2011.626486. Epub 2012 Jan 6.
Efficacy of whole body vibration exercise in older people: a systematic review
Results: Sixteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Comparing the vibration and the control group, we found that vibration significantly improved knee muscle isometric strength (18.30 Nm, 95% CI 7.95-28.65), muscle power (10.44 W, 95% CI 2.85-18.03) and balance control (Tinetti test: 4.5 points, 95% CI 0.95-8.11). Comparison with a conventional exercise showed that the only significant difference was bone mineral density in the femoral neck (0.04 g/cm(-2), 95% CI 0.02-0.07). There were no serious complications in most of studies.
Conclusion: Whole body vibration training may improve strength, power and balance in comparison with a control group, although these effects are not apparent when compared with a group that does conventional exercise.
J Bone Miner Res. 2004 Mar;19(3):352-9.
doi: 10.1359/JBMR.0301245. Epub 2003 Dec 22.
Effect of 6-month whole body vibration training on hip density, muscle strength, and postural control in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled pilot study
Results: No vibration-related side effects were observed. Vibration training improved isometric and dynamic muscle strength (+15% and + 16%, respectively; p < 0.01) and also significantly increased BMD of the hip (+0.93%, p < 0.05). No changes in hip BMD were observed in women participating in resistance training or age-matched controls (-0.60% and -0.62%, respectively; not significant). Serum markers of bone turnover did not change in any of the groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that WBV training may be a feasible and effective way to modify well-recognized risk factors for falls and fractures in older women and support the need for further human studies.
Osteoporos Int. 2016 Oct;27(10):2913-33.
doi: 10.1007/s00198-016-3618-3. Epub 2016 May 4.
Effects of whole body vibration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Keith DeOrio, M.D.
Influence of whole-body vibration on biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical [99mTc]methylene diphosphonate in Wistar rats
Results: The biodistribution was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in kidney, bone, lung, stomach, prostate and bowel.
Conclusion: The analysis of the results indicates that the vibration could produce metabolic alterations with influence in the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-MDP in bone, stomach, bowel, prostate, kidney and bladder.
Controlled whole body vibration to decrease fall risk and improve health-related quality of life of nursing home residents
Benefits of whole-body vibration with an oscillating platform for people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
Whole-body vibration training for patients with neurodegenerative disease
Improved Muscle Strength and Tone:
Vibration therapy stimulate muscle contractions, leading to improvements in muscle strength and tone.
Some studies suggest that vibration therapy may have a positive impact on bone density. The mechanical stress induced by the vibrations is believed to stimulate bone-forming cells, potentially contributing to increased bone density.
Vibration therapy may enhance blood circulation throughout the body. Improved circulation can have various positive effects, including better nutrient delivery to tissues and improved removal of waste products.
Increased lymphatic circulation
Regular use of vibration therapy has been associated with improvements in flexibility and range of motion. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to enhance their overall mobility.
Some individuals report a reduction in pain levels, particularly in those with conditions such as chronic lower back pain. The vibrations may help alleviate muscle tension and discomfort.
Vibration therapy may contribute to improvements in balance and stability. The rapid muscle contractions induced by the vibrations can engage stabilizing muscles, enhancing overall balance.
There is some research suggesting that vibration therapy may influence hormonal responses, including the release of growth hormone. These hormonal changes may play a role in the observed benefits on muscle and bone.
Vibration therapy is sometimes used in rehabilitation settings to aid in the recovery of injured muscles and joints. It may help individuals recover from certain injuries or surgeries.