The use of WBV as a warm-up could be beneficial due to the increased blood flow in the muscles, the stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) and the increased “lubrication” of the joints. Balance work may be improved with the proprioceptive feedback that WBV provides, and power training could be enhanced due to the increase in CNS stimulation. You may get more from a workout, with better recovery and less apparent delayed onset muscle soreness.

Another way to use WBV is to incorporate it in a circuit-style workout, using the WBV platform as one of the circuit stations. To progress the program, exercisers could repeat the circuit and change the exercise that is performed on the WBV platform each time. The possibilities are limited only by the trainers’ creativity and the clients’ goals.

A variety of research has shown significant improvements in health conditions among de-conditioned individuals who engage in vibration exercise because they are not capable of fully engaging in conventional training. There are many people with health conditions, who would benefit from an active lifestyle, but may not be able to perform certain exercises.

The skills and knowledge of a personal trainer are important in implementing the proper exercises for this demographic in order to maximize their experience. If a trainer is involved, there is a greater chance of success, thereby increasing satisfaction with the facility and generating additional referrals. Vibration can be an excellent early adoption of exercise for those who need a low-impact, non-strenuous way of initiating a program. The goal for personal training sessions that begin with vibration is to gradually transition to more traditional personal training services as the client becomes stronger and healthier.

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

One such technique that has garnered some success is Whole Body Vibration. This is a very passive treatment that is easy to do and seems to actually help. The patient only needs to stand on a platform that proceeds to shake or vibrate the body both up and down.

A recent participant study tested the effects of Whole Body Vibration. The aim was to determine if it had any bearing in pain relief. To determine this, the medical team tested three sets of participants. One set took part in traditional exercises, such as stretching and aerobics. The second group did this plus WBV. The results showed that the group that saw the most benefit participated in traditional exercises followed by Whole Body Vibration. Evidence is pointing to the fact that exercise alone is not enough to produce pain relief for sufferers. These patients also noted less fatigue as well. There is enough supportive evidence for patients to see Whole Body Vibration as an option for fatigue and pain relief therapy.

Whole Body Vibration is a low impact way to work out the body. In fact, in some cases, movement by the patient is not required. The patient must simply be on a plate. Any position is acceptable. Sitting, standing, it does not matter. Once on the plate, the machine launches vibrations through the patient’s body. They occur anywhere from 20 to 50 times a second. The frequency setting is up to the user. The thought behind this therapy is that the vibrations make the muscles contract or work. The muscle contractions happen very quickly and are very hard to replicate using other methods.

The vibrations work the muscles out in a very creative way. As they shoot through the patient, the body begins to feel like it is unstable. To correct this, it begins to contract. Its natural instinct is to counterbalance the vibration. This counterbalancing reflex is what produces the results. Whole Body Vibration is good for anybody. Users range from professional athletes to patients who must be helped due to physical limitations. Because this therapy is low impact, patients with bad joints can participate without the negative repercussions they would normally expect when working out.

It can even help with pain, fatigue, stiffness and stress. Some patients have had the extra benefits of happier moods and a calmer state of relaxation.

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.

When the page loads, click on “Osteoporosis” to go straight to Dr. Reichardt’s article.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, president of PowerVibe USA, is a featured speaker with The Vitality Depot.  Some of the topics Dr. Reichardt covers are: Transitioning from Passive to Active Care, Osteoporosis: The Hidden Epidemic, Restoring the Body’s Full Range of Motion.  

Check out the www.VitalitySpeakers.com webpage for Vitality Sponsored Speakers photos, bios and speaking topics. 

Parker Seminars was founded on the premise of sharing traditions, philosophy, and time-tested Parker Principles that lay a foundation for success, as well as the latest practice procedures and cutting-edge technologies, which ensure the success of the profession for years to come.

Expo hours and booth information for Power Vibe :

Experience the Power Vibe Zen Pro at The Vitality Depot booth 614,616,618.  

Experience the Power Vibe Pro 2 at the Scrip Hessco booth 1016.

Expo Hours

Thursday, January 13: 8:30am-6pm
Expo Break 10:30am-11am
Lunch Break 12:30pm-2pm
Expo Break 3:30pm-4pm

Friday, January 14: 8:30am-6pm
Expo Break 10:30am-11am
Lunch Break 12:30pm-2pm
Expo Break 3:30pm-4pm

Saturday, January 15: 8:30-4pm
Expo Break 10:30am-11am
Lunch Break 12:30pm-2pm

From a liability standpoint it is imperative that companies make a health warning readily available. Customers need to be aware of the contraindications so that they can protect themselves from using equipment that may potentially affect a preexisting condition. As a rule of thumb it is important to remember that Whole Body Vibration gives the user all the physiologic benefits of exercise and does so in a very compressed time frame. WBV promotes circulation, oxygenation and lymphatic drainage in the injured tissue and therefore speeds up healing. Additionally, the stimulus that the tissues experience on the neurological level gives the body a tremendous proprioceptive input.

Because the platforms moves 3-4 mm at a rate of 20 to 50 times a second, the challenge that the bone, muscle, and ligament tissues experience in a 30 to 60 second time frame are considerable. This is where the biggest advantages are realized in the Fitness world. Because significant improvements in strength and flexibility can be achieved in a short period of time WBV has become a very desirable exercise method.

The contraindications associated with WBV training apply to the chiropractic or fitness setting alike. The typical chiropractic patient is “unconditioned” and may more likely be rehabilitating from an injury. People using WBV in a fitness/accelerated training capacity are more likely to be fit and in shape, but the contraindications must be observed in any case.

Regardless of who is using WBV, beginners must phase in training at an appropriate rate and not over use the modality to avoid negative side effects. People that start out too fast or use WBV more than the recommended amount are prone to experiencing headaches and/or soreness. This is due to the body detoxifying and/or over-stimulation. It’s common for any exercise equipment or rehabilitation modality to include a health warning for liability purposes. WBV is no different.

For the health care clinician the physiologic advantages play a big role in the implementation of WBV for rehabilitation. Since soft tissues can be exercised without having to take an injured area or extremity through active ranges of motion, WBV can be introduced very early in the treatment protocol.

Yet these physiologic changes also lead the clinician to be aware of contraindications. A doctor can clearly deduct that one would not utilize WBV on a patient with recent fractures and surgeries, large open wounds, metastatic cancers, recent metal implants and the like. If someone has any known medical condition, or any physical limitation on their ability to exercise, PowerVibe strongly recommends that they seek the advice of a physician before using Whole Body Vibration.

It is always advisable for everyone to consult with a physician before starting any exercise program. Ongoing research in the field of Whole Body Vibration indicates that many conditions can actually benefit from this form of therapy. However, if you have any of the following contraindications PowerVibe strongly recommends that you seek the advice of a physician before using any PowerVibe machine, in order to avoid any possible personal injury.

o Pregnancy

o Acute/ Deep Vein Thrombosis

o Serious Cardiovascular Disease

o Pacemaker

o Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

o Acute hernia, Discopathy

o Acute disc related problems, Spondylosis, gliding Spondylolisthesis or fractures

o Severe Diabetic neuropathy

o Tumors

o Recent Surgeries

o Epilepsy

o Gallstones, Kidney stones, Bladder stones

o Cardiac dysrhythmias

o Acute Rheumatoid Arthritis

o Acute/sever inflammations, infections and/ or fever

o Acute Migraine

o Fresh (surgical) wounds

o Surgical metal implants

o Osteonecrosis

o Severe Osteoporosis with BMD

WBV has nothing to do with pharmaceutical pills or chemicals. It’s about simple concepts such as increasing circulation and oxygenation throughout the entire body. Waking up cells, tissues, and muscles that haven’t been active in years is at the heart of why WBV works.  Increasing amount of interest is directed to whole body vibration technology as studies indicate promising results. Numerous findings include increase in muscle strength, enhancing balance and co-ordination, improved flexibility, increase in bone mass density therefore decreasing osteoporosis, stimulating the lymphatic system, massage effect on muscles and providing low joint impact.

Research has shown vibration to increase range of motion beyond that of static stretching alone.  The underlying means with whole body vibration is thought to be the elicitation of muscular activity via stretch reflexes.  At increased intensity, there seems to be effects similar to those of massage such as increased blood flow and heat and furthermore there is a release of hormone response comparable to that found after resistance type exercise.  The many positive aspects of whole body vibration on the neuromusculoskeletal system make it very beneficial when implemented as part of a chiropractic treatment.  Overall whole body vibration can make it easier to administer the spinal manipulative treatments because the muscles are more relaxed. The need to apply soft tissue therapy can be decreased. 

Our society is one that is fast-paced, information packed, and non-stop. People want to live healthier, but few actually do. Why? There isn’t enough time and solutions often seem too difficult. Our times are characterized by people needing to be told what to do, and to be shown a reasonable solution. With WBV, if you can get a patient to compromise for 10 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week, they will experience measurable positive benefits.

These findings should make every chiropractor excited to inquire further into this technology.  The findings seem ideal to include with the chiropractic treatment.

How does whole body vibration help with this?  Whole body vibration can help with limbering and loosening tight tissues. 

The vibration impulses stimulate the Golgi tendon apparatus in muscles that have become tight and constricted.  This activates a high measure of muscular relaxation.  WBV also helps to strengthen tissues.  Vibration stimulates muscle spindle activation by increasing the load on the tissue.  This activation is very similar to the “knee jerk reflex”.  This is an extra advantage as muscles are lengthened in a functional and active position, while not decreasing explosive muscle strength. 

The body responds to WBV by activating involuntary postural muscles and increasing proprioceptive input to the brain.  Your balance is stimulated and challenged.  Blood flow to the ligaments and tendons are increased along with the stretch reflex.

By performing Range of Movement and spinal neuromuscular reeducation exercises while on a vibration platform it serves the function of increasing spinal stabilization by improving postural and spatial awareness.