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.

It is common knowledge that the benefits of exercise are multifold. The amazing part of WBV is that it produces the same effects of exercise, just in a much shortened time frame. These claims are very well documented and scientifically proven.

Increased circulation, lymphatic drainage, metabolic increase, enhanced oxygen uptake, improved HGH, etc are just some of the well documented physiologic benefits of WBV. Therefore it becomes an easy and logical adjunct to the chiropractic practice.

WBV can be used in rehabilitation and strengthening of injured ligament or muscular tissues without taking the injured area through ranges of motion, making it the perfect choice of modality for any rehab facility.  Exercise is able to be started at a much earlier stage of improvement.

But rehabilitation, flexibility and strength training are just some of the applications that are enhanced by WBV.  Many chiropractic offices see a patient on multiple visits per week. Having a patient warm up and work out on a Whole Body Vibration machine just prior to an office visit is a very sensible recommendation. They can get their exercise, warm up for the adjustment, be physically and mentally more relaxed when they see the doctor and therefore enhance the effects of the treatment!

Effects of WBV on the central nervous system have become a very hot topic recently.

Research studies have already shown positive results in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries.  These subjects showed improvement in walking speed, cadence, step length and consistency of intra-limb coordination after only one month of WBV therapy.

It is believed that further research in these areas could lead to relevance in using WBV for:

• Pain management
• Neuroendocrine function
• Mood alteration
• Memory
• Improvement of efficiency and strength of the neurophysical pathways through the body. 

The benefits and applications of WBV are almost limitless.

Here are the top 5 uses for Whole Body Vibration in a practice:

1. Pre adjustment warm up & post adjustment cool down
2. Injury rehabilitation
3. Proprioception/neuromuscular training
4. Weight loss
5. Postural Correction

WBV has so many benefits yet these are the most common for doctors and their patients.

Another great benefit is that doctors can charge cash per session or get reimbursed from insurance for each session.  Not only does Whole Body Vibration add an additional revenue source but it also is something patients enjoy!  Doctors can implement this value adding adjunct easily and effectively.

Sciatica isn’t a disorder. Instead, sciatica is a symptom of another problem involving the nerve.  Sciatica frequently occurs when a nerve root is compressed in your lower spine, often as a result of a herniated disk in your lower back. Disks are pads of cartilage that separate the vertebrae in your spine. They keep your spine flexible and act as shock absorbers to cushion the vertebrae when you move.  Depending on the cause, the pain of acute sciatica can be very uncomfortable.  

Whole Body Vibration has proven to be effective in reducing pain sensation and pain-related disability in people affected by chronic low back pain and sciatica. 

WBV creates a “micro-massaging” effect on all tissues in the body helping to improve blood flow and loosen tight areas.  It is known that a loss of proprioception can lead to neuromuscular dysfunction and likely poor segmental stability in people with low back pain.  This can lead to an increased risk of injury or further injury. 

  
In order to effectively treat low back pain or sciatica, proprioception training is usually considered as an important element of a rehabilitation exercise program.
Whole Body Vibration is a therapy and exercise modality that improves muscle function along with proprioception.  A person’s proprioception is challenged just by standing on the machine. Performing dynamic exercises while on the platform adds a greater challenge that produces extraordinary results. 

Whole Body Vibration is a great tool for increasing flexibility, range of motion and mobility.  It has also been shown to reduce joint, ligament stress, and chronic pain.

This can allow the patient to perform traction with higher loads for longer periods of time.  The physical effects of prolonged vibration may be very beneficial in 10-20 minute intervals for postural/structural corrective traction procedures.   

When the body is stimulated by vibration, muscle activity is necessary for dampening the vibratory waves.  This is called the “tonic vibration reflex” where the muscle tension linearly increases with the frequency of the vibration.  Frequencies of vibration between 20-50 Hz spread well through contracted or stretched muscles.  Using WBV will also create more circulation of the blood in the muscles creating a thermal effect that enhances flexibility.  Stretching exercises are enhanced if done on a vibrating platform. Not only because of the increased blood flow already mentioned, but because vibration appears to inhibit activation of antagonist muscles, improve neuromuscular coordination and produce a pronounced analgesic effect.
Doctors have reported seeing fast results while combining WBV with traction over an entire treatment cycle.  Often, the patient’s posture along with overall extension and flexion will be greatly improved.

There are many different types of settings that you can find Whole Body Vibration (WBV).  Fitness centers, senior centers, and physical therapy offices just to name a few.   One of the most common places for Whole Body Vibration to be used is a Chiropractic office.  The benefits of WBV compliment Chiropractic specialties tremendously.  Chiropractors are known for natural treatments, not just spinal adjustments.  They are able to use WBV for rehabilitation purposes and offer it as a fitness option adding to their services.   

As the popularity of Whole Body Vibration grows so will the places you can find it.   

Here is one of many doctors implementing WBV.

Seventeen individuals with chronic motor-incomplete SCI (chronic = had condition for at least one year) were the subjects of the study. They were tested before and after they participated in twelve sessions (3 days/week for 4 weeks) of intervention with WBV. Their walking function and the change therein was assessed via 3D motion capture, walking speed being the primary outcome measure. The study also assessed the influence of the WBV intervention on secondary gait characteristics, including cadence, step length and hip-knee intralimb coordination. The subjects’ walking speed went up significantly by a mean of 0.062 +/- 0.011 m/s, denoting a noteworthy statistical change (p < 0.001).

Additionally, the WBV study also demonstrated significant statistical increases in cadence. Both the stronger and weaker legs exhibited farther step length and enhanced the consistency of intralimb coordination. As a result, improvements in walking speed were strongly correlated with these changes in cadence and step length in the stronger leg. The improvement in walking speed observed with the WBV intervention was comparable to that reported in the literature in association with locomotor training. Even in non-clinical populations this magnitude of change has been deemed clincally meaningful. Therefore, the study’s observations suggest WBV may improve walking function with effects that may persist for some time following the intervention.

Take high quality supplements - Take the time to buy directly from a health care provider or health store, as many “drugstore” vitamin brands are less potent, and contain many fillers. The list below is important for everyone at all times of the year. Infants will receive the benefits from their mothers if being breastfed, and can also take an infant-formula probiotic.

a) A Multivitamin / multi-mineral combination

b) Essential fatty acids (omega 3,6,9)

c) Probiotics/acidophilus

Choose natural approaches before medications – The easiest step is to notice the early signs and nip symptoms in the bud. ALL symptoms in a healthy body are working to keep you healthy. A fever is your body’s means of raising the temperature to “cook off” bacteria and viruses and keep them from multiplying. Coughs, sneezes, diarrhea and runny noses are all ways your body eliminates bacteria and viruses. Look first to boost your body through food & teas, then consider herbal or homeopathic remedies with some guidance from a knowledgeable health care provider.

Get adjusted by your chiropractor – Remember that the purpose of an adjustment is to open up communication between your brain and your body – which is ALWAYS necessary for optimal function in every system of your body, including your immune system. Adjustments stimulate immune responses for a quicker, more efficient healing. To strengthen your immune system, you should be adjusted on a regular basis for general health, at the first signs of a cold or flu, and once symptoms have started to help your body’s immune system work more efficiently.

(Click here to read the original post)

1. As many people wear out their joints in the gym using poor form while exercising, what is one of the most common overuse injuries resulting from poor technique?

First off, the right technique in any type of movement is as important as the right form is in weight training. This applies to everyday non-training motions our body performs, such as walking. As far as answering exactly what type of injury is common in conscious workout routines, especially in cardio exercises, are knee injuries. They “popularly” occur on treadmills and ellipticals because of fatigue with the exercise which automatically also means over training. Poor form sets in as you compensate by turning your knees out and use your hips to “shuffle” as opposed to keeping your feet pushing straight ahead.

2. What is the ideal squat technique from a chiropractor’s perspective to prevent injuries?

According to Chiropractor Dr. Carmine Gangemi, a mechanically sound approach to the squat:

• Starts off with a stance which is just wider than your hips with your feet your turned out slightly.
• The bar should be placed high on your shoulder blades across your traps but not so high that it’s on your neck.
• Your chest should be up slightly, shoulder blades pulled in towards each other, and your head should be in a position to slightly elevate your eyes.
• Your lower back should maintain its natural curve throughout the movement.
• Don’t hyper-extend but do keep yourself from falling forward excessively.
• The bar should remain over your ankles or just in front of them through the exercise.

3. What are the three most important but least used exercises that should be part of any sound training routine?

• Dead lifts
• Squats
• Standing Military Presses (to the front)

All of the above involve working out all major joints and do not require any major equipment. Any of these will greatly improve strength, bone density, cardiovascular conditioning and lean body mass if performed correctly and consistently.

4. What is one of the most frequently seen ailments chiropractors come across and how can they successfully treat them?

In general, a variety, if not most forms of injuries at some point or another require proper exercise to ensure a full treatment regimen. Some injuries may require more, for example soft-tissue therapies, but it is important to point out that a majority of injuries can successfully be tackled with just the right training.

One specific, very common type of injury are shoulder injuries. They can occur for a variety of different reasons such as imbalance, lack of stability, overuse and, again, poor form. With this and most other chiropractic injuries the right treatment most prominently starts with doing exercises in a very disciplined way, so that it, chiropractically speaking, is sound and proper. Stretching (and right stretching!) is another very crucial component before workouts and for reducing the risk of injuries in the first place.

(Click here to read Pauline Nordin’s original post on Fighter Diet)