Whole Body Vibration Therapy

What is Whole Body Vibration?

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is exactly what the name suggests, a therapy that utilizes vibrations for musculoskeletal healing and strengthening. WBV was developed centuries ago in Greece, where physicians applied mechanical vibrations to improperly functioning areas of the body. Today, we apply the same basic principle, but with modern body vibration machines.

How does WBV work?

At our back pain treatment centers in Edwardsville and Millstadt, we use our WBV machines to send therapeutic vibrations throughout the entire body, engaging around 97% of muscles, soft tissues, and bones. Patients stand on a motorized platform that produces a vibrating sensation and transmits energy to the body. This acceleration creates a challenge for you to maintain balance, causing your muscles to contract and relax many times per second. As your muscles work to resist destabilization, they begin to strengthen.

What conditions can WBV treat?

Patients that have common spine conditions or disorders may find relief through whole body vibration therapy, unless the severity is extreme. Conditions that may be treated with this type of therapy include:

• Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Symptoms from stroke

What are the benefits of WBV?

WBV improves circulation as the accelerated forces cause your muscles to contract and relax. This rapid muscle movement works to increase the speed of the blood flow throughout the body.

Not only is circulation improved, but patients often see positive changes in muscle strength, bone mineral density, flexibility, coordination, stability, and balance. This treatment may also provide a faster recovery time from work or sports-related injuries or trauma from automobile accidents, fractures and surgery.

WBV therapy can also benefit patients in the following ways:

• Enhanced metabolism
• Reduction of the stress hormone cortisol
• Increase in human growth hormone (HGH), which helps maintain tissues and organs.
• Weight loss, when WBV is used in addition to proper dieting and workout regimes