Introduction
Researchers working on space travel were the first to develop vibration therapy. Whole-body vibration and low-intensity vibration are the two main forms of vibration therapy offered in the United Kingdom. Treatments for osteoporosis and low bone density are being pushed using vibration treatment.
The history of vibration therapy is connected to early space travel. When the astronauts returned to earth, they had difficulty walking due to the absence of gravity in space. This results from their muscles becoming out of shape without the support of gravity. Due to the lack of forces from gravity on the bones, they also lost bone mass. Small portions of bone are typically destroyed and rebuilt daily; this process is known as the remodeling of the bone. The bone cells are stimulated to function by little stresses and strains, such as those that come from everyday physical exercise. Bone loss results from inactivity caused by bed rest or the absence of gravitational forces on the body.
What Is Vibration Therapy?
In vibration therapy, mechanical vibration is applied to the patient's body. In order to improve circulation, muscle strength, and flexibility. Mechanical stimulation, known as vibration, is defined by an oscillating wave. The fluctuations' amplitude, frequency, and magnitude are the biomechanical parameters that control their intensity. The frequency of oscillation controls the vibration's amplitude, the frequency at which its cycles repeats identifies its incidence, and the acceleration defines its magnitude. Muscle strength, bone remodeling, and cartilage preservation can all be improved with the human body's low-amplitude, low-frequency mechanical stimulation. With patients working out on vibrating plates that produce sinusoidal vibrations, the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) have been taken into consideration. Vibrating cables and vibrating dumbbells have also been used locally for low-frequency vibration.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that affects people of all ages and is characterized by a marked increase in the risk of fractures because of a decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and aberrant bone microarchitecture. Low bone mass and an elevated risk of fracture are the hallmarks of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is primarily seen in females; following menopause, its prevalence significantly rises. As a result of impaired endocrine ovarian function, postmenopausal osteoporosis is associated with a drop in estrogen levels. Osteoporosis is brought on by low estrogen levels, which accelerate bone demineralization.
Physiotherapy should be a crucial component of osteoporosis treatment since it improves patients' quality of life and lowers the risk of the major factors that lead to fractures falling when practiced properly and consistently. Different types of physical activity demand specific attention among the physical methods. Physical activity must, first and foremost, be safe for patients with osteoporosis due to an elevated risk of falling. Vibration training is one of the safe physical activity types.
What Are the Types of Vibration Therapy?
Whole-body vibration and low-intensity vibration are the two primary types of vibration treatment provided in the united kingdom:
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Whole body vibration is a type of vibration that is transmitted using a sizable vibrating platform that typically contains a guardrail for the user's safety. This equipment can be found increasingly frequently at fitness centers and gyms.
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Low-intensity vibration devices often resemble a set of big bathroom scales and emit minute up-and-down vibrations at a rate of 30 times per second. These vibrations pass through the feet, legs, hip, and lower spine. The low-intensity vibration signal mimics the movement of the lower back and leg muscles, which are essential for standing up straight and moving around.
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Unlike whole-body vibration, low-intensity vibration devices have been specifically created to ensure that they do not cause any medical issues or adverse effects because of their reduced intensity.
What Is Piezoelectric Theory?
The piezoelectric theory states that pressure stimulates bone formation in the electrical potential difference, which works as a stimulant of the bone-forming process. The effort made while standing up instead of lying down is a greater osteogenesis stimulator, which accounts for the beneficial effects of vibration therapy. Sarcopenia (the gradual decrease of strength and muscle mass that occurs with aging) and osteoporosis (a bone condition that manifests as a reduction in bone mass and bone mineral density) are prevented by whole-body vibration (WBV), which raises growth hormone and testosterone levels in the blood. Vibration training also improves neuromuscular coordination and muscle strength, which in the case of osteoporosis patients, can lower the risk of falls leading to fractured bones. Another component of the ICARO (Innovative Comprehensive Active Rehabilitation of Osteoporosis) plan includes whole-body vibration.
What Are the Benefits of Vibration Therapy?
Vibration treatment has many advantages in both clinical and fitness contexts. The following are the advantages:
1. Prevents falls and enhances balance in older people. A few trials indicate positive results for enhanced balance.
2. It may delay the loss of bone mass. Research does indicate a positive association between low bone mass and the slowing of bone loss, according to a reliable source about vibration therapy improving bone density.
3. Lowers cortisol levels: It has been demonstrated that whole-body vibration sessions, both when done alone and in combination with resistance training, lower cortisol levels.
4. Increases aerobic capacity. Studies have shown that vibration treatment increases aerobic capacity and metabolic energy turnover.
5. Rebalances the body. According to a 2020 study, low-frequency whole-body vibration use during exercise improved muscular imbalances.
6. Increases strength, power, and flexibility. According to research from 2018, low bone mass has advantages for muscular activation, strength, power, flexibility, and range of motion.
7. Although this area of study is still in its infancy, there does seem to be a connection between vibration treatment and fat loss, especially when used in conjunction with other weight loss techniques.
Conclusion
Vibration's positive benefits on the muscles, bones, and cartilage tissues. Due to the necessity of quickly adjusting muscle stiffness to fit the vibratory waves, musculoskeletal structures react to vibration. The monosynaptic and polysynaptic afferent circuits that control this reaction are able to produce particular hormonal responses. Some elements that support bone health include weight-bearing activity, enough vitamin D, and a well-balanced diet. Numerous advantages of vibration therapy include the potential to stop bone degeneration, which is important for osteoporosis prevention. When it comes to maintaining balance, building strength, and minimizing falls, vibration therapy may be an effective adjunct treatment option for those with osteoporosis. To know more about the therapy, consult the doctor online.
