Posts Tagged ‘Fitness Exercise’

Whole Body Vibration shown to benefit Stroke Recovery

March 4th, 2010

A stroke can critically impair motor function, including manipulative abilities in the upper extremities and balance and gait in the lower extremities. There is a well-established relationship between the reduction in voluntary strength in the affected muscles of the lower extremities and the ability to execute activities of daily living.  Plus, decrease in voluntary strength of the knee extensors in the affected limb is closely linked to reductions in walking speed, impaired stability and increased postural sway. 

There is growing support for the use of resistance training in stroke rehabilitation, but there are several factors that still limit the use in a rehabilitation program.  After a stroke many patients have » Read more: Whole Body Vibration shown to benefit Stroke Recovery

Effects of Whole Body Vibration in females with Osteoarthritis of the knee

March 3rd, 2010

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that causes the cushion layer between your bones (aka: cartilage) to wear away. It is also called degenerative joint disease.  It is not known what causes joint cartilage to wear away. But it is known that osteoarthritis is more common as you get older or if you are very overweight. Sometimes a serious knee injury can bring on arthritis after a few years.  Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, and it is the most common type of arthritis.

A doctor may recommend therapies to help relieve your pain. For example:

  • Rest your knee or avoid activities that make your pain worse.
  • Put ice on your knee for 20 to 30 minutes a few times a day to reduce inflammation and ease the pain.
  • Take an over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • Do physical therapy or certain exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the joint.

For physical therapy and strengthening exercises of the knee Whole Body Vibration is a great option.   A study was completed to assess the effects of WBV exercise on » Read more: Effects of Whole Body Vibration in females with Osteoarthritis of the knee

Reducing Cellulite with Whole Body Vibration

March 1st, 2010

Cellulite is sometimes referred to as a cottage cheese or orange peel appearance to the skin.  This can happen to anyone at any age, regardless of whether you are skinny or overweight.  Cellulite is fat accumulation under the skin.  Cellulite is an inflammation of the subcutaneous connective tissue that expands laterally.  The irregular skin surface of cellulite is the result of thickened fat cells, moisture, and substances.  Other possible reasons for cellulite are » Read more: Reducing Cellulite with Whole Body Vibration

Whole Body Vibration Shown to Increase Jump Height

February 25th, 2010

Whole Body Vibration has become very popular for strength and conditioning benefits.  Many research studies have reported improvements in strength and power after Whole Body Vibration interventions in untrained individuals with little development of the muscles, suggesting » Read more: Whole Body Vibration Shown to Increase Jump Height

Healing Faster with Whole Body Vibration

February 23rd, 2010

An injury to your body can be very difficult to overcome.  By adding Whole Body Vibration to your rehabilitation you can make the most of your physical therapy and rehab program to allow you to get back to life without pain and with full ability faster. 

Whole Body Vibration increases circulation very quickly. The increased blood flow to an injury helps it to heal much quicker.  Whole Body Vibration can be used » Read more: Healing Faster with Whole Body Vibration

A Natural Treatment for Osteoporosis- Whole Body Vibration

February 19th, 2010

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures.  These fractures are most common in the hip, spine, and wrist, although any bone can be affected. 

Osteoporosis is a major health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans.  In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are already estimated to have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass placing them at an increased risk for Osteoporosis.   Osteoporosis is thought of to be an older person’s disease, but it can happen at any age. 

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends » Read more: A Natural Treatment for Osteoporosis- Whole Body Vibration

Maximizing Lower Body Power with Whole Body Vibration

February 18th, 2010

Studies have shown that Whole Body Vibration increases lower body strength.  But what are the best frequency, displacement, and duration to use to accomplish the best acute response?  A study was completed to determine a protocol to obtain the greatest improvement in power from the use of Whole Body Vibration. 

For this study, 40 men and women participated.  They used 8 different combinations of 30, 35, 40 and 50 HZ with 2mm and 5 mm displacements over a period of 3 days.  For all protocols subjects underwent » Read more: Maximizing Lower Body Power with Whole Body Vibration

Dr. Oz Guest Tries Whole Body Vibration

February 15th, 2010

Dr. Oz is celebrating his 100th show on Tuesday, February 16th with 100 viewers that have each lost over 100 lbs.  One of the viewer’s that was invited to New York for the taping of the show stayed at The Hotel at Times Square 46th Street near 6thAve in New York.  While checking out the hotel’s fitness area he came across a Whole Body Vibration machine…..the PowerVibe. 

Read here about his first experience with Whole Body Vibration.

Be sure to tune in on Tuesday for Dr. Oz’s 100th show!

Treating Chronic Lower Back Pain with Whole Body Vibration

February 13th, 2010

Chronic lower back pain is a major healthcare problem that affects millions.  It is believed that chronic lower back pain emerges from acute pain of the muscles and connective tissues which persists and becomes chronic.  Besides pain, people with chronic lower back pain have reduced flexibility, reduced flexion-relaxation and static balance.

Whole Body Vibration can be used in the acute phase of treatment to increase circulation, blood flow and oxygen intake.  This can help speed up the healing process.   WBV assists by » Read more: Treating Chronic Lower Back Pain with Whole Body Vibration

Relief for Plantar Fasciitis with Whole Body Vibration

February 10th, 2010

Heel pain affects nearly 2 million Americans each year and can be responsible for mild discomfort or even debilitating pain.  The most common form of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis.  This condition occurs when the long fibrous plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue resulting in pain and inflammation. The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually located close to where the fascia attaches to the calcaneus, also known as the heel bone.      

The plantar fascia ligament is like a rubber band and loosens and contracts with movement. It also absorbs significant weight and pressure. Because of this function, plantar fasciitis can easily occur from » Read more: Relief for Plantar Fasciitis with Whole Body Vibration