Vibetronix Whole Body Vibration Exercise » Bone Mass

Whole body vibration exercise and osteoporosis

Vibetronix Support — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:34:35 +0000

Many studies have been conducted to investigate whether osteoporosis can be prevented or even reversed using whole body vibration therapy.

The general consensus is that whole body vibration exercise does increase bone mass density and it also lowers mineral reabsorption by the body.

Medical studies tend to express their findings in a very conservative manner – similar to the way that financial advisors express themselves. There are few absolute claims and many disclaimers. This is understandable given the litigious nature of our society.

The result is that much of what is known about the effect of whole body vibration exercise is as a result of anecdotal case histories which have been publicized either in journals or on the internet.

While claims regarding whole body vibration exercise are often grossly exaggerated, there is some substance to some – one being the claim that this technology helps as a therapy for osteoporosis.

This article is not intended to be a medical commentary or definitive finding. It is based on some common sense observations and numerous testimonials. It explores the reasons that whole body vibration exercise is beneficial in building bone mass density and leads to the obvious conclusion that it is a beneficial therapy for osteoporosis.

Firstly, whole body vibration exercise was originally developed to assist Russian athletes to increase muscle strength. After being used for this purpose, Russian scientists observed that it had an effect on bone mass density. This led to it being used by Russian cosmonauts to combat the loss of both bone mass density and muscle mass experienced after prolonged exposure to zero gravity conditions.

Shortly after the iron curtain fell, the technology made its way to Europe and then to North America.

The basic logic behind the claims that whole body vibration exercise is beneficial to the body, particularly the skeletal structure and muscles is fairly simple.

The vibratory action causes a muscle stretch reflex. The body simply reacts to the vibratory stimulation in an effort to maintain balance. This muscle stretch reflex exerts some stress on the bone. The bone reacts by increasing density as a strengthening mechanism.

Whole body vibration creates the same reaction that caused by resistance exercise – only vastly accelerated. Because the rate is accelerated, the effects are also accelerated. This is the basis of the claim that 10 minutes of whole body vibration exercise produces the equivalent result as 60 minutes of regular exercise.

If walking and resistance exercise is helpful in the prevention and reversal of osteoporosis, then by deduction it can been seen that whole body vibration exercise has the same effect. Only quicker.

As with any exercise, consistency and frequency is key to obtaining and maintaining results. Because of the accelerated muscle action stimulated by whole body vibration exercise, sometimes the expectation is unrealistic. Although it is only necessary to spend 10 minutes a day using whole body vibration, it is necessary to do this on a daily basis at least 5 or 6 times per week if you wish to see significant and lasting results.

General increase in flexibility, mobility and balance should begin to be seen after a few weeks of use. Increase in bone mass density has been reported after 6 – 8 weeks of use. However it is advisable to think in terms of months and years rather than days and weeks. Exercise of any kind is a lifestyle and not a short term therapy.

For further information including downloadable studies and testimonials, please visit the sites:

http://wholebodyvibrationsystem.com

http://vibetronix.com

copyright: Jackie Cooper 2010

Whole body vibration exercise: Interview with Dr. Ken Russell

Vibetronix Support — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:39:42 +0000

Dr. Ken Russell, a chiropractor in British Columbia, Canada discusses the effect of whole body vibration exercise on health issues such as:

osteoporosis
Parkinson’s disease
balance
flexibility
mobility
joint pain
back pain
muscle strength
bone mass density

What are some helpful ways to treat osteopenia (or osteoporosis) without using prescription drugs?

Vibetronix Support — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:22:49 +0000

I’m working for a lady who has osteopenia (a form of osteoporosis) and she wants to try some alternative methods of treatment. She’s also trying to find some sort of vitamin or supplement that would have calcium, vitamin D, Boron, Mangesium, and/or other components that help protect bone mass. If you know of any or can give any tips, please let me know!

those are all good but D3 is better than D.
I take hylaronic acid too. Walmart sells it in the vitamin aisle.
Omega fatty acid is also good.
antioxidents, ginkgo, C, E, zinc and selenium are also good.

Dr. Mercola’s comments on Whole Body Vibration

Vibetronix Support — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:19:34 +0000

August 19th, 2009 by James Pyle

Is a Vibration Platform Right for You?

The vibration platforms originate from research conducted during the 1960s space race. They work on the principle that if muscles are exercised while being shaken, they activate neighboring muscle fibers, hence building mass faster.

I first encountered this whole body vibration (WBV) technology in 2006, at which time I contacted one of the top personal trainers in the Chicago area, Tony Bruno — an expert on muscle activation techniques – for his input on this approach.

Tony felt the technology was great and had been proven to improve proprioception, strength and balance, and decrease sway in the elderly, and found it especially beneficial in rehab to increase circulation.

A vibration platform has also been proven useful for athletes, improving speed and vertical jump height, and cutting your warm-up time by half. However, he indicated that because the platform does cause a temporary decrease in joint stability, you shouldn’t use it before an event, as you’ll need to be in top form. But it would be an excellent addition to the training phase of your program.

WBV training has also been shown to improve and maintain bone mineral density in postmenopausal women and the tactic is being studied for its therapeutic potential, such as increasing older women’s bone mass – a far better alternative than the dangerous osteoporosis drugs currently on the market, for sure.

However, the authors of the study above warn that if you have certain health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, you may want to avoid WBV until safety concerns have been addressed more fully.

Remarkable Benefits for the Elderly

WBV training has demonstrated significant gains in most measures of muscle performance in sedentary and elderly individuals.

But one study, performed by the University of Liege in Belgium, investigated the effects of controlled whole body vibrations exercises on overall health in elderly patients and found that after 6 weeks (performing 4 one-minute sessions, 3 times a week), the participants experienced:

* 143 percent improvement in physical function
* 77 percent improvement in equilibrium
* 60 percent improvement in vitality
* 57 percent improvement in the quality of walking
* 41 percent reduction in pain
* 23 percent improvement in general health

Not bad for 10 minutes a day!