Over the last 40 years, WBV has become widely accepted in the medical and exercise community as a valid form of therapy. There a number of companies in the marketplace offering a variety of different units which range from affordably priced home units to very expensive institutional types.

It is worth noting at this point, that there are various mechanical ways to produce the vibrating effect. Each and every mode of vibration has its own advantage and purpose. Yet some companies are claiming their particular technology as the only “True” form of WBV technology. They make disparaging remarks about the other forms, often without understanding a competitors reasoning for developing a particular product and for utilizing a particular technology.

This article shall serve as a guideline for the consumer to determine which type of unit is best suited for their own particular need or purpose.

Over the last 40 years, research on WBV has been done with various technologies, and all of them have shown their validity. When looking at purchasing WBV, the user must take various points under consideration.

For example, a 120lbs geriatric patient, who suffers for osteoporosis and would like a unit for her home, needs a very different form of vibration training than a 260 lbs linebacker, who is looking to work on his flexibility and stamina during training sessions! WBV will be beneficial in both scenarios, but each application has its own requirements.

Matching up the type of machine with the environment in which it is going to be used becomes an important point in making a purchase or treatment decision.

Matching the patient/customer with the appropriate type of vibration should be an integral part of customer service for WBV manufacturers and distributors. Helping the customer to make the correct decision for them by explaining the great spread in price points helps the consumer to better understand WBV as a whole

When purchasing a WBV it is important to remember that, just like with many technologically driven products, the more expensive one is not necessarily the better product! Choose the right kind of unit for your need and you will be getting the most out of your investment of time and money!

Here are the 3 primary questions that will help to making the right choice:

-Will the unit be used for home or institutional use?

-What is the range of the weight of the users?

-What health/fitness issue do the users have?

I will lay out the 3 most common forms of Vibration and assign to each mode its potential benefit based on physiologic, anatomical and neurologic principles.

It serves to remember, that by the time a therapy finds its place in the clinical application, it has gone through a period of trial and error – an evolution.  As time progresses and as more research is done, the technology may divert into different branches as effects on different patient groups are realized.

For example, CT- Scanners of today are very different than 25 years ago. They are stronger, more compact, some are even “open” to accommodate the claustrophobic patient and make the examination more pleasant!  All of this does not make the older units useless.

After years of working with a modality we recognize and are able to discern certain advantages and disadvantages and then integrate these findings into the development of newer and better units. The same holds true for the field of WBV!

There are 3 basic types of mechanical Vibration units out on the market.

1-Vertical Vibration – the motion is straight up and down

2-Oscillating Vibration – the motion is up and down in a Toggle motion

3-Elliptical Vibration – the motion is in a tri-planar fashion.

It is important to realize that the type of Vibration that is produced is fundamentally accomplished by the position and the direction of motion of the motor. Equally important is the fact that different types of vibration stimulate different tissues more than others.

Vertical Vibration:

The complete platform is moving up and down, Therefore the stimulus goes straight up, through the body in a vertical fashion. This is typically the best type of vibration for athletes and stronger and active users.

Physiologically, as long as the user position places muscle fibers, osseous and ligamentous fibers directly in line with the direction of the vibration, this version exercises the tissues the most. The user’s whole bodyweight is being mobilized; lymphatic fluids are being circulated well.

This tends to be the most expensive way of manufacture, simply by design. These platforms tend to be well made, often with a steel housing, to withstand the rigors of this type of vibration. They are often used in a clinical setting where they experience significant usage. These units are typically rather powerful and often seem harsh for the user under 150 lbs or the non athlete. Our PowerVibe Pro falls within this category, yet is surprisingly smooth. Expect to pay anywhere from $2500 to $5000.

Oscillating Vibration:

Interestingly enough, most osteoporosis studies were done with this technology in Germany approximately 20 years ago. At that time, these were the golden standard of Whole Body Vibration. This type of vibration was found to be very helpful for that condition. Here typically the motor drives a toggle mechanism that elevates one side of the platform, then the other side, sometimes described as a teeter-totter motion. Slow motion filming of in the thigh, hip and abdominal areas show the incredible wave motion of subcutaneous fat, lending credence to the weight-loss/trimming ability of this modality.

The home versions of these units often have fewer functions and are typically quiet easy to use! They are relatively inexpensive and are the perfect units for the user at home, who wants to get their system stimulated, start exercising, get moving. Also great for increasing the metabolism! It is the perfect type of vibration for the baby boomer and not-so athletic user who is interested in getting started. An excellent entry level type of machine.

As in the other types of WBV, oscillating units come in various strengths and sizes. There are several institutional units available, which are commonly used in clinical settings involving weight loss. These tend to more expensive since they are built to withstand frequent use by a heavier set of patients.

Elliptical Vibration:

This is a relatively benign form of vibration that lends itself likely to be the best modality to stimulate the proprioceptive system. This is our innate balance system, which stabilizes the body and helps us orient ourselves in the 3 dimensional room. It helps us to find balance and equilibrium. Elliptical Vibration works great for the elderly user with balance issues and circulation problems and who wants to increase their daily activities, but is a bit timid and nervous about where and how to start! Many of these users have been sedentary for a number of years and are often frightened by the intensity of vertical or oscillating units. This is also the preferred type of unit for stroke patients or other CNS issues.

In these units, the motion is created by a vertical placed motor that has uneven centrifugal plates attached to it. Thus it produces the elliptical motion of the plate into the various directions since it is the kindest form of vibration; it is the perfect type of WBV for the senior or user under 150 lbs body weight!

It is also a very economically sound choice for the home use. Many of these units retail for around $1000.

3 different types of vibration for the various target groups.  Looking at the above information, it becomes clear that certain user groups will benefit the more from one form of vibration than from another: Please utilize this information to make the right decision as to which type of vibration is right for you or your customer/patient!

Whole Body Vibration is here to stay and, like so many modalities, when used appropriately can help numerous patients with a variety of conditions!

Author: Dr. Christian Reichardt

Date: 9/2/2009