Whole Body Vibration to Better Health – OHR #412

It is estimated that 60% of the US population is obese. The combination of poor eating, overeating and lack of exercise are the usual underlying causes. Obesity is associated with heart disease and reduced muscle strength. One of the therapies we utilize at LifeWorks for nearly all patients is whole body vibration training (WBV). WBV improved arterial stiffness, blood pressure, heart rate variability and muscle strength in a study done on a group of obese women and improved vagal balance with three days a week for a six week period¹. So for the people who are deconditioned from lack of exercise, ten minutes three times a week can really improve muscle strength and arterial function and put them in a condition where they can start actually exercising¹.

There is also research to show that Growth Hormone release occurs with WBV training that can have a positive antiaging effect².

There is also good evidence that WBV improves bone density in both athletes and sedentary adults^3,4,5,6,7,8. If you are suffering from osteoporosis or osteopenia, I suggest 15 minutes per day to stimulate your body to improve bone density. It really works especially combined with Vitamin D, hormone replacement, and Perfect Amino.

So as you can see, WBV should be something that most of us could take advantage of.

The company that supplies the WBV machines we use at the clinic has agreed to provide a discount for LifeWorks patients who are interested in having the therapy right at home so you can do it daily. The website is www.fitfunyoung.com and if you use discount code LIFEWORKS for the Dual Motor Platinum Vibra -Therapy Machine, you can get it for $1900 with free shipping in the U.S. (MSRP $3500).

I love doing the 10 minute cycle for recovery for my tired legs at the end of the day or after a long weekend of swim-bike-run.

There are lots of cheap machines on the market but this one is a good one that should last you a long time.

Have a great week.

Dr. David I Minkoff, MD

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1. Figueroa A, Gil R, Wong A, Hooshmand S, Park S, Vicil F, Sanchez-Gonzalez M.: Whole-body vibration training reduces arterial stiffness, blood pressure and sympathovagal balance in young overweight/obese women, Hypertension Research, 2012, 35, 667-672
2. a b Giunta M, c d e Cardinale M, a Agosti F, a Patrizi A, a Compri E, b Rigamonti A, a f Sartorio A.: Growth Hormone-Releasing Effects of Whole Body Vibration Alone or Combined with Squatting plus External Load in Severely Obese Female Subjects, Obes Facts, 2012, 5, 567-574
3. Prioreschi A, Oosthuyse T, Avidon I, McVeigh J.: Whole body vibration increases hip bone mineral density in road cyclists, Int J Sports Med, 2012 Aug, 33(8):593-599
4. Kiel DP, Hannan MT, Barton BA, Bouxsein ML, Sisson E, Lang T, Allaire B, Dewkett D, Carroll D, Magaziner J, Shane E, Leary ET, Zimmerman S, Rubin C.: Low Magnitude Mechanical Stimulaion to Improve Bone Density in Persons of Advanced Age: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial, J Bone Miner Res 2015 Jan 8
5. Lai CL, Tseng SY, Chen CN, Liao WC, Wang CH, Lee MC, Hsu PS.: Effect of 6 months of whole body vibration on lumbar spine bone density in postmenopausal women:  a randomized controlled trial, Clin Interv Aging, 2013, 8, 1603-1609
6. Stolzenberg N, Belavy DL, Beller G, Armbrecht G, Semier J, Feisenberg D.: Bone strength and density via pQCT in post-menopausal osteopenic women after 9 months resistive exercise with whole body vibration or proprioceptive exercise, J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 2013 Mar, 13(1), 66-76
7. Lam TP, Ng BK, Cheung LW, Lee KM, Qin L, Cheng JC.: Effect of whole body vibration (WBV) therapy on bone density and bone quality in osteopenic girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized, controlled trial, Osteoporos Int 2013, May, 24(5), 1623-1636
8. a b Rittweger J., Felsenberg D.: Resistive vibration exercise prevents bone loss during 8 weeks of strict bed rest in healthy male subjects: results from the Berlin Bed Rest (BBR) study, 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; October 2004; Seattle