Hi all
I read recently about vibration treatment being good for building bone density and by shear chance noticed one of these machines at the Gym I go to. What you do is stand on it and it vibrates. You can select different amplitudes and also frequency levels. I tried it and I would say, interesting. Has anyone out there ever tried one of these machines and if so what was your experience. I did ask one of the gym instructors who had no idea and said not many people will do near it.
If you have low bone density please do not go near one of these machines at the gym. It is likely to be Power Plate which has very powerful vibrations and could cause fractures. The only vibration machine you should be using is the Marodyne Liv which is set on one very low vibration that is said to increase bone density.
marodyneliv.co.uk/research-...
Thanks wisewomam108
The jury's out (see fact sheet)theros.org.uk/information-a...
Hi. I'd be interested in this too. I know there are two sorts of vibration machines, high intensity and low intensity. I think I read somewhere that the high vibration machines weren't recommended for people who already have fractures. The medical profession seems undecided on whether low intensity machines offer any benefits but I don't think there's been much research so far. It will be interesting to see the replies from anyone who's tried it.
Hi, the one I have used has both settings. Definitely wouldn’t use it with fractures. Ouch!
Hi. I have 2 of these machines at home. One is powerful, the other more gentle and it also vibrates from side to side. Both have a wide range of intensity from low to high. I bought mine years ago before I knew I had Osteoporosis, for fitness reasons. There are many on the market.
It is not true that the Marodyne is the only effective model on the market. Marodyne is the only company to spend mega bucks on research ...which is a different statement. Vibration machines were designed for astronaughts to help restore the bone density loss they have as a result of spending a lot of time outside of the force of gravity.
I bought both of mine from IdealWorld Shopping channel on tv. they also have a website. The tv presenters for these machines have an app on a tablet which demonstrates muscle movements and frequency ...both with using the machine and without for the same movement. There are a variety of simple exercises to do with these machines. Mine came with a DVD and wallchart. Vibrapower also make a belt which vibrates. Very gentle and it may be used on any part of the body.
I've never used the platforms at the gym, mainly because of a shortage of staff who are trained or knowledgeable about their use. What a waste of a valuable piece of equipment. They are big machines, I must admit I felt a bit intimidated by their size. Home use platforms are much smaller.
I stopped using my machines when diagnosed because I was afraid they may be risky. Also I've had a number of surgeries over the years and would not use them thinking it would be unwise. However, my Consultant, Nick Birch, who did my REM scan, encouraged me to use them saying if I only stood still on one for ten minutes a day, it would help.
I am currently seeing a physio for pain I've had for over ten years as a result of spinal fractures from a fall. He has miraculously totally healed the pain at the bottom of my spine. He is now working on another area of long term pain. Interestingly he said that gentle vibration would help the muscle tissue and help heal the pain. So here I am again, sitting this time, on one of my vibration machines on the lowest setting, keeping fingers crossed that this pain too will go away.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society, who monitor this site, has an information leaflet on vibration therapy as they call it.
Thanks DeannaAlphi
The one at our gym does lots of different amplitudes and frequencies. I played with it after the instructor didn’t know why they had it. I do not have any fractures so I feel ok about a low level vibration. The helpful messages from this forum are very welcome. It never occurred to me that I could cause damage but when I think of the pain I was in when first diagnosed with crush fractures then I sure as hell dont want to go back there.
Hi Mongoose59 ,
Just wanted to wish you a very warm welcome to our community 
Thank you for joining! As this is a topic that comes up every now and then, we do talk a little more about this in our FAQs post: healthunlocked.com/boneheal...
Also, as some of our wonderful members have already mentioned, we do have some information on vibration therapy on our website: theros.org.uk/information-a...
You may also notice we have lots of other information about exercise to strengthen our bones on our website too.
Please do continue to share your experiences with our community, it's really important we have a space with others who are going through something similar
Wishing you all the best,
Lulu
ROS Moderator
Thanks Lulu I did have a look and pleased to read about it.
I have one in my kitchen. Scared to use it with 10 vertebral fractures. Tempted to try setting #1 though. When I was healthier, it was phenomenal.
Thank sounds encouraging but as you not with vertebral fractures, they are so painful having experienced crush fractures in the vertebrae myself. Hope they heal up soon for you.
Hi, I have had a vibration plate for around 12 years, there is also one in my gym - which is a much more updated version than mine! I have been using mine since I got it, 12 years ago. Currently I use the gym one 3x a week and mine 2x. I use both with hand weights (as I read a paper that suggested this would be more beneficial to the bones) and also on the higher setting.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2015. I did not have a fracture, but had a DEXA as many of my family have osteoporosis (mother, aunt, sister, nephew). I chose not to take bisphosphonates. Instead I altered my diet and exercise regime. My T-score (spinal) went down to -4.1 (as I went through the change), but now seems to have plateaued and has 'improved' to -3.9. Femur is -2.3. I do lots of impact exercise (running, skipping) and also use the plate. I cannot say for sure that it has helped me as I was doing other things to help too - but I don't believe it harms you - and it is excellent for relaxing muscles if you have a few aches and pains.
Hope this helps. But if you have had fractures, please talk to an ROS nurse or other expert before using one.
Really good info, thanks. I think when trying to improve bone density it is a long game before you can check to see if you have better DEXA results. no point in checking each year I believe. Need about 3 years I think. Therefore making 1 change and seeing if it helped isn’t realistic. My objective is to not go back on Bisphosphonates after a 3 year break so I am looking at different alternatives. This I stumbled upon as part of that so as I have no fractures and the machine I can use is quite elaborate then it’s got to be worth a go. I have used it on a highish setting and thought no, too high but at a much lower level then I think OK but need to do a bit more research on level of vibration to use. There must be something in this as NASA uses it for astronauts, also I wonder if Royal Navy use it for sub-mariners as they lose bone density due to lack of daylight for prolonged periods.
Wisewoman108 made a very good point about being careful and definately no no if you have fractures, also ensuring that the machine you use is a good one so I will be checking what type the one I use is. It would be terrible to overdo it and ending up with fractures. I wont forget that pain in a hurry.
All the best
Mongoose59
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