General Benefits of All Quality WBV Products:

-          Helpful for warm up

-          Improved flexibility

-          Assist in post-workout lactic acid flush

-          Improved lymphatic drainage

-          Reduction in cortisol

-          Can assist in increasing bone mineral density (BMD)

-          Helps to balances hormones

-          Releases endorphins

Benefits Specific to Pivotal WBV Products:

-          Can improve mobility quickly (in relative terms) for seniors and/or deconditioned subjects

-          Can reduce low back pain via mobilization of the lumbar/SIJ regions

-          Can be effective in the rehab of total hip and knee replacement

-          Reduces the transfer of vibration to the head

-          Can help deconditioned subjects improve fitness quickly

-          Great for core activation and core strengthening

-          Great for increasing lower body strength for those sports dependent on lower body (Ex: skiing, snowboarding, cycling)

-          Great for increasing explosive power (for sports specific training)

-          Assists in weight loss, both through reduction of cortisol and mobilization of subcutaneous fat

-          Increases secretion of hGH, which plays an important role in lipolysis, or breakdown of fat cells, thereby aiding the breakdown of cellulite.

-          NOTE: The breakthrough published study that shows a 4.1% increase in femoral head BMD among post-menopausal test subjects was performed on a pivotal machine

-          NOTE: This same study also showed a 29% improvement in balance, even though test subjects were not performing balance-specific training

Right now, at age 75, after about eight months, I am exercising with the PV machine about four times a week. Last Spring I wanted to loose some weight and went on a diet. In about three months I lost eighteen pounds, which was easier and more successful than previous tries and it seems less an effort now to maintain the loss. I think the Power Vibe definitely plays a role in the weight loss process. After an exercise session on the Power Vibe, I feel energized and, at the same time, feel relaxed and always enjoy the session. In addition to the Power Vibe, I practice Hatha Yoga three times a week and walk about a mile and a half four times a week. The Power Vibe has certainly made a difference to me in ways I can see and I’m sure in less obvious areas like bone density and circulation.

Judy

Read more here.

Here is a 5 minute Yoga Standing Practice that will strengthen muscles and realign your body, particularly when combined with WBV

•Keep the weight balanced through the whole bottom of your feet.

•Now engage your big toes. You’ll feel an arch forming

•Knees should not be locked, rather barely bent.

•Roll your upper thighs inward slightly

•Lift your lower Belly while relaxing your Lower Back.

•Release your chest

•Raise the top of your head towards the ceiling

•Relax your jaw with teeth touching but not clenched. Place the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth.

•Check of your body’s alignment, making sure that your ears are over your shoulders, shoulders over hips, and hips over the ankles.

•Now pick a spot in the distance, or on the wall, and focus on that spot.

 Try standing for about 2-3 minutes a day to begin with, and increase the time as you see fit.

At first, it may seem as if you are not working that hard, but you are, because you are using muscles that are not being used much anymore.

Rehabilitation programs can be accomplished in a fraction of the time of conventional exercise, while minimizing space requirements.  It can help in the rehabilitation process, but just as important, WBV may also prevent injuries.  Many professional sports teams, physiotherapists and chiropractors have found WBV to be an invaluable tool-having an ability to strengthen muscles without the usual strain on joints and ligaments. 

The process of rehabilitation involves an increase in blood flow causing a dramatic spike in Human Growth hormone (HGH)-the key to the repair and regeneration of soft tissue.  While improved circulation also helps to drain fluid build-up from injured tissue, vibration stimulates a combined release of hormones and natural chemicals to suppress pain.   WBV makes normal strength and flexibility training more effective. Many medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors have embraced WBV when treating patients recovering from injuries because WBV can speed up the recovery process and actually make muscles stronger in the end. Because WBV increases circulation and muscle activity at the cellular level, you can heal from injuries in less time.

Thirty-four recreationally active college-age subjects completed this study.  Subjects were assigned to a control group, a static stretch group, or a vibration and static stretch group.  Subjects stretched 5 days/wk for 4-weeks and were followed for 3-weeks after cessation to monitor retention.

Analysis showed a significant difference between treatment groups with increases in flexibility after 4-weeks of stretching.  The three week follow up showed that the vibration group was still more flexible than at baseline.  It was determined that stretching with vibration on a WBV platform appears to be a good adjunct to static stretching with the potential to enhance retention of flexibility gains.

Read the study details here:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20535662

Whole Body Vibration has been helpful to people with chronic joint pain because they have the ability to push their bodies physically while reducing their pain unlike any other intervention. Vibration Therapy as well as Vibration Training, when done correctly and safely, is a highly beneficial exercise program with little to no negative musculoskeletal stress.

Standing for 5-10 minutes a day, while doing a few movements to transfer the vibration of the machine into various body regions, increases the flow of freshly oxygenated blood into the tissues, enhances lymphatic drainage and generally loosens things up.

The beauty of WBV is that when you isolate a particular muscle in a weight bearing position all the collateral musculature is also activated. It is essential for joint stabilization to have this neurologic integrity. The body’s ability to coordinate and balance the agonist and antagonist muscles is what allows this stability to occur. The integrity of any closed kinetic chain depends on this ability.

Many medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors have embraced WBV when treating patients because WBV can speed up results and the recovery process, while actually making muscles stronger in the end.

More than 10 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis of the knee, and your lifetime risk of developing it is nearly one in two. But there is good news: Experts keep finding more steps that people can take to reduce discomfort and to prevent, delay, or slow osteoarthritis.

 Achieve a healthy weight

According to one national survey, obese women had nearly four times the risk of getting osteoarthritis of the knee than their lighter peers; obese men had five times the risk.  Losing just 10 pounds can significantly reduce your chances of developing the disease.

 Strengthen your muscles

In a recent University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics study, women with stronger quadriceps, or front thigh muscles, were better protected from knee osteoarthritis than weaker subjects.  Exercising on a whole body vibration platform improves muscle strength, reflexes, and joint motion.  Increased muscle contractions improve muscle strength, ton and endurance.  Muscular and neurological coordination is improved.  The effect on muscles is similar to that of other powered exercise devices, such as treadmills and bicycles- but in a condensed period of time.  

 Stretching

A lack of joint mobility has been directly linked to knee pain.   If you have difficulty bending your knees when you walk or run, you end up placing excess pressure on a small area around the kneecap. Regular tai chi or yoga sessions have been found to help increase range of motion.  Regular stretching is also very beneficial.  Stretching is enhanced when done on a whole body vibration platform.  The direct effect of whole body vibration stimulates blood flow to ligaments and tendons and enhances the stretch reflex.   

Whole Body Vibration has been shown to reduce the pain and disability associated with Osteoarthritis.  Exercise can reduce pain and disability by decreasing muscle inhibition and by improving local circulation.  Unfortunately, most osteoarthritis sufferers tend to not adhere to an exercise regimen due to the discomfort associated with working out.  The more difficult the exercise, the less likely they will do it.  Whole Body Vibration is particularly suited for these people because it exercises the postural system.  Whole body vibration is easy to use, the exercise sessions are short, and it’s safe.

Exercise can reduce pain and disability by decreasing muscle inhibition and by improving local circulation.  Unfortunately, most osteoarthritis sufferers tend to not adhere to an exercise regimen due to the discomfort associated with working out.  The more difficult the exercise, the less likely they will do it.  Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is particularly suited for these people because it exercises the postural system. 

WBV is easy to use, the exercise sessions are short and best of all it is safe.