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Terms & Conditions

 

Whole Body Vibration Technology - WBVT

 

Muscle Atrophy                                                                                                                                                                                           

There are two types of muscle atrophy:

1. Disuse atrophy - occurs from a lack of physical exercise. In most people, muscle atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough. Those with sedentary jobs, medical conditions that limit their movement, or decreased activity levels can lose muscle tone and develop atrophy. This type of atrophy can be reversed with vigorous exercise and better nutrition.
2. Neurogenic Atrophy - The most severe type of muscle atrophy is neurogenic atrophy (when there is an injury to, or disease of a nerve). This type of muscle atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than disuse atrophy. Chronic neurogenic atrophy is a very general, nonspecific term that refers to longstanding abnormal nerve input to muscles resulting in wasting of that particular muscle. The term itself is not enough to make any diagnosis, nor can it accurately describe any symptoms.

 

Those who are bedridden can have significant muscle wasting and with aging, some atrophy will naturally occur.

 

Always Ready                                                                                                                                                                                               

Muscle tone - (residual muscle tension or tonus) - the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles. It helps maintain posture, and declines during REM sleep. Muscle tone is not to be confused with the concept of toning in physical exercise. Unconscious nerve impulses maintain the muscles in a partially contracted state. If a sudden pull or stretch occurs, the body responds by automatically increasing the muscle's tension, a reflex which helps guard against danger as well as helping to maintain balance.

The presence of near-continuous innervation (stimulation) makes it clear that muscle tone (residual muscle tension or tonus) describes a "default" or "steady state" condition. There is, for the most part, no actual "rest state" insofar as activation is concerned.

In terms of skeletal muscle, both the extensor and flexor muscles, under normal enervation (reduced energy) maintain a constant tone while "at rest" that maintains a normal posture.

 

Power Plate Use                                                                                                                                                                                         

Use of a power plate requires a measured approach; any change to existing body functioning must always be slow and graduated. Posture / positioning and variance of speeds is determined and applied against the existing symptoms / physical problems the person is experiencing.

 

N.B. This is not the same as using the ‘Circulation Booster’

 

Circulation

Improved blood circulation will help deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to your body’s cells. The lymphatic system, an essential part of the immune system depends on body movement to create the pumping effect required for lymph fluid movement.

Both the blood and lymphatic systems carry waste (toxins), created by the bodies metabolic actions, to various organs of the body for removal. (Lungs, liver, kidneys etc).

 

Effects (benefits) of vibration therapy on circulatory system include:

• Enhanced peripheral and systemic blood flow.
• Enhanced peripheral lymphatic flow.
• Increased venous drainage.

 

A study by the Dept of Physical Therapy Loma Linda University found that short duration vibration sessions significantly increased skin blood flow - Bautmans I. et al; 2005.

Bone density is correlated with muscle strength. Decreases in muscle mass and strength can affect bone density. Loss of muscle strength may increase risk of falls and fractures.

 

The supplementary benefit of WBVT on muscle performance compared to classic exercise remains to be explored further.

 

It is important to understand                                                                                                                                                                     

• Changes to your usual regime must be undertaken slowly over time.
• Your body is always in a state of flux.
• Your body depends on stimulus to maintain, and to develop itself.
• Your body responds better when the stimulus is variable. If stimulus is applied in a consistent, unvarying manner any benefits achieved will slow and / or stop and may diminish over time.
• Your body will always reach a plateau, and appear to be progressing no further; this is not unusual. Alterations in the manner, type and speed of the stimulus will counter this problem. From time to time it is advisable to take a break, as rest is just as important.

 

Lifestyle - Needs to be evaluated and taken into account

• Where a person lives - Geographical problems occur, distances to therapy centres and prescribing hospitals can be a deterrent to a person unable to easily travel far (there are many of them).
• What are the typical foodstuffs available to them? - Because of a low income situation some sufferers cannot afford quality foodstuffs.
• Cultural differences - Dietary lifestyle and attitudes vary throughout the world.
• Their financial situation - Not every person is in the financial position to purchase supplements or pay for private consultations etc.
• What facilities are available to them? – In many areas therapy centres for a specific disease simply do not exist – this situation could be improved, if not resolved, if the numerous charities that represent a host of diseases / disorders began to work in closer together and shared their resources where applicable..
• What support is available to them if required? – Social Services’ input is not always sufficient.
• Their personality – Every person is different and the degree of enthusiasm they have, their willingness to become involved in a programme of wellness, varies from person to person. (Some enjoy being ill)

 

History - WBVT  was researched and developed to prevent and treat bone and lean muscle loss in cosmonauts. Russian scientists began in-depth studies of Whole Body Vibration, using the technology to rehabilitate their cosmonauts who, after returning from space after long periods of time, needed help to restore atrophied muscles and bone density compromised due to the weightless environment of space.  

 

Vibration therapy is not new, originally developed by a Swedish doctor, Dr. Gustav Zander who build and tested over 70 different types of exercise machines some of which were based on vibration exercise. Researchers have observed that it not only stopped the loss, but also increased bone density and strengthened muscle tissue. When standing on the plate, the vibration and movement generates systematic involuntary muscle contraction throughout the body, while improving blood and lymphatic circulation.

 

Research published in the American Journal of bone Mineral Research has shown that vibration technology can lead to an increase in bone density similar to that achieved by weight-bearing exercises normally prescribed for osteoporosis. In addition to the increase in bone density the research also showed that the acceleration training led to an improvement in postural control and balance.

 

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Resources:
Barry, Patrick L. quot;Good Vibrations: A New Treatment Under Study by NASA-funded Doctors Could Reve rse Bone Loss Experienced by Astronauts in Space.” Science @ NASA Web site, Nov. 2, 2001.
 

Bone Density - Clinton Rubin, Robert Recker, Diane Cullen, John Ryaby, Joan McCabe,and Kenneth McLeod4JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCHVolume 19, Number 3, 2004Published online on December 22, 2003; doi: 10.1359/JBMR.0301251?2004 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
 

Kawanabe K., A. Kawashima, I. Sashimoto, T. Takeda, Y. Sato, and J. Iwamoto, (2007). “Effect of whole-body vibration exercise and muscle strengthening, balance, and walking exercises on walking ability in the elderly.” Keio Journal of Medicine. 2007 Mar. 56(1): 28-33.
 

Verschueren, S., M. Roelants, C. Delecluse, S. Swinnen, D. Vand erschueren and S. Boonen. “Effect of 6-Month Whole Body Vibration Training on Hip Density, Muscle Strength, and Postural Control in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.” Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Vol. 19, March 2004, pg. 352-359.
 

Circulation Kerschan-Schindl K, Grampp S, Henk C, Resch H, Preisinger E, Fialka-Moser V, Imhof H. (2001). Whole-body vibration exercise leads to alterations in muscle blood volume. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. PMID: 11380538 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Lohman EB 3rd, Petrofsky JS, Maloney-Hinds C, Betts-Schwab H,

 

Thorpe D. The effect of whole body vibration on lower extremity skin blood flow in normal subjects. Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. PMID: 17261985 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 

Aging and Geriatric Care Bautmans I, Van Hees E, Lemper JC, Mets T. (2005) The feasibility of Whole Body Vibration in institutionalised elderly persons and its influence on muscle performance, balance and mobility: a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN62535013]. PMID: 16372905 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
 

Paralysis John G. Gianutsos, PhD, Liisa C. Oakes, BA, Vincent Siasoco, MD, Stacy Appelblatt, MS, PT, Juliana Hamel, MS, PT, Joan T. Gold, MD (2001) “Motor rehabilitation of spinal cord dysfunction by means of whole body vibration” (NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY)

 

 

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