Whole Body Vibration Therapy

The newest, most exciting addition to the Physiotherapy area of the Clinic is Whole Body Vibration (WBV) Therapy.  This technology was initially used and researched by the Russian Space Program, allowing astronauts to stay in space longer without suffering muscle atrophy and loss of bone density.  It has more recently being used for enhancing performance of their Olympic athletes.  After the fall of Communism, WBV made its way to us and after decades of research, the technology is now available.

In a nutshell, Whole Body Vibration works because every time the plate moves up and down and side to side, your muscles contract and relax automatically to keep you balanced.  This is especially true for the core muscles.  When standing on a Vibration plate, your body has no choice, but to respond to the challenge —- thus each muscle contracts several times a second !

The benefits of WBV are incredible.  Whole Body Vibration is an improved alternative to standard resistance exercise, and you can accomplish it in much less time.  In fact, 10  minutes on WBV is equivalent to an intense one hour workout !  What comes with that are all the benefits of a body that is being exercised:  weight loss, increase muscle tone and flexibility, improved bone density, movement of lymph (a natural detox), better sleep quality and improved mood !  What else can do that in 10 minutes ?

Whole Body Vibration Therapy at Momentum Healing Arts is used in many ways:

1.  Either before or after chiropractic adjustments for better and faster results, and better “holding” of the chiropractic adjustment.

2.  WBV greatly enhances recovery time after an injury.    Using WBV as a rehabilitation tool, when used appropriately and under the supervision of a trained professional,  speeds up the recovery after an injury.  This is because WBV will work ALL of your muscles and activate balance centers as you rehabilitate not only the injury, but your whole body.  Therefore, the stronger tissues will help activate the weaker tissues, and create a much more balanced recovery.

3.  For Health Benefits:   Programs for individuals using WBV can be designed to reach certain health care goals:  There are many benefits to WBV:

a)  Strength Building:  When your muscles work, they get stronger.  By simply standing on the WBV machine, your muscles are forced to work to keep your body balanced.  Gradually, you can add weights or movement while standing on the plate to work your body even harder….all in a shorter time than with conventional exercise.

b)  Weight Loss:  When combined with a cardio program, such as walking or swimming, and healthy eating, WBV increases muscle strength.  Stronger muscles burn more calories at rest than fat does, so you will continue to burn calories throughout the day, resulting in weight loss.

c)  Reducing Cellulite and Toxins in the Body:  Cellulite is the dimpled, uneven fatty deposits under the skin.  WBV, combined with good hydration, helps to release the fatty deposits and flush the body of toxins.  In fact, it is common to get a headache the first few times using the machine due to the toxin release.  WBV has to be done gradually to avoid symptoms.

d)  Reducing Stress:  WBV has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol, which is the adrenalin stress hormone.  Vibration releases serotonin, which is an important hormone needed to keep the brain centers balanced, and an important component of how anti-depressive drugs work.  Just standing on the machine at “massage speed” can help to release these good hormones, and is even more enhanced if you combine that with some deep breathing and relaxation visualization while you are on the machine!

e) Combatting Osteoporosis:  Exercise is essential for both prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density.  When we exercise against the resistance of gravity, this stresses the bone, causing the body to react by building stronger bones.  WBV increases that resistance, so the cells that make bone, the osteoclasts, are stimulated to produce more bone.  This is a well documented and researched benefit of Vibration Therapy.

4.    For general health and wellness:  Classes that combine WBV with postural and strength training are offered at Momentum Healing Arts to give overall, long lasting health benefits to keep you feeling great.  Please check the main page for the times when these classes are offered.