What is Vibration Therapy?
Vibration therapy is a form of therapy that uses whole-body-vibration to enhance physical health and well-being. It has been around for over 20 years and is now widely accepted in the fields of physiotherapy, rehabilitation and sports medicine for the treatment of different illnesses and injuries.
Vibration Therapy was first used in the Russian Space programme to assist Astronauts to increase their muscle strength and enhance their bone density while in space. They found that they could then stay up to 420 days in space with little or no gravity whereas their American colleagues had to return to earth after 120 days.
Later studies showed that Vibration Therapy helps to fight Osteoporosis and with more intense research it was discovered that Vibration Therapy also works on a number of different areas:
muscle strength
weight loss
lymphatic circulation
bone density
hormone levels
Whole body vibration therapy allows people with physically debilitating conditions such as osteoporosis, scoliosis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, spinal stenosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, back pain, obesity and more, to exercise easily, safely and very effectively. This is because the vibration does most of the work and the body simply responds. The vibrated muscles work very hard, while you simply sit, stand or lie on the vibrating platform.
Not all vibration platforms create a safe vertical motion. Some platforms use a combined vertical and horizontal action which can have serious adverse effects on the joints. The Vibrogym in use at RAMS (shown below, left) is a medically certified model.
How does Vibration Therapy work?
Vibrotherapy uses vibrations which are passed through a vibrating platform to the body. The Vibrogym (shown left) delivers a series of pulses or stimuli to the nervous system that produces muscle stimulus. It is this stimulus that exercises the muscles.
Almost 100% of your body’s muscles are exercised when using Whole Body Vibration Therapy as opposed to conventional physiotherapies which only stimulate 40-60% of your muscles. The deeper lying muscles such as your postural muscles particularly benefit from whole body vibration training.
The vibrations have a positive impact on your hormone balance and help to reduce stress. You feel more relaxed, fitter and more alert. Within 10 minutes you can complete effective training of your entire body. This is possible because whole body vibration training stimulates the whole muscular system.
Studies have shown that vibration therapy enhances blood distribution, which is critical in regenerating damaged tissues as well as in the circulatory system's ability to deliver vital nutrients and hormones throughout the body. Ultimately, it can enhance an individual's general wellness and quality of life, regardless of age, physical and neurological condition.
Vibration Therapy provides its conditioning benefits in a fraction of the time that traditional exercise routines require. The VibroGym has been shown to have the same effect in 12 minutes as you get with 1 ½ hours of conventional exercise. Full-body workouts, consisting of movements and positions designed to train the entire body, can be carried out easily on the Vibrogym. 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.
What medical conditions can benefit from Vibration Therapy?
Research has shown benefit using the whole body vibration therapy in the following conditions:
Multiple Sclerosis
Arthritis
Rheumatism
Osteoporosis
Emphysema
Cerebral Palsy
Parkinson's Disease
Sports Injuries
Spinal Misalignment
Gait disorders
Joint problems
Post operation rehabilitation
Pain
What are the benefits of Vibration Therapy?
Whole body vibration therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing process. It increases cellular oxygen circulation, stimulates cellular nutrient uptake, enhances cellular fluid movement and assists cellular waste removal. As a result, new cells are more vibrant and resilient.
Moreover, the vibrations increase the production of regenerative and repair hormones, improve blood circulation in skin and muscles, strengthen bone tissue, improve lymph drainage and increase the basal metabolic rate. All this results in more strength, more speed, more stamina, rapid recovery of muscles and tissue, increased flexibility, mobility and coordination, anti-cellulitis, collagen improvement, and fat reduction.
Vibration therapy offers a host of benefits. It helps to improve:-
muscle strength
balance
flexibility
stamina
range of motion
bone density
blood circulation
serotonin levels which improve mood and energy levels
lymph drainage
basal metabolic rate
It helps to reduce:-
pain
fatigue
stress
cortisol
blood pressure
fat and cellulite
There are certain conditions where Vibration Therapy is not appropriate, notably pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, pacemaker, hip or knee replacements, diabetes, epilepsy, tumors, migraine, acute hernia, recently replaced pins or plates, recent infections, or recent surgeries. RAMS will require the consent of your GP or Consultant before treatment begins.
Other Therapies offered by RAMS
If you require any information regarding our other therapies please follow the links listed below. These therapies can be provided as stand-alone treatments or as suplementry treatments to all our other therapies, including any ongoing medical treatments provided by your doctor or consultant. Note: permission by your doctor or consultant is required.
