Vibration Plate – User Safety Precautions and Advise

If you have a medical condition or are recovering from an injury or surgery discuss with your doctor or care provider before you begin ANY new activity or therapy to ensure it is the best suitable for your level of health and overall goals. Adequate hydration, nutrition and rest/recovery are significant factors in achieving your lifestyle goals.

In general, using proper positioning and durations, whole body vibration (WBV) exercise or therapy has been shown to be a safe, low impact activity that almost anyone can benefit from even in non weight bearing applications to expedite recovery and improve overall health.

Due to similar terminology, there can be a misunderstanding between the “good” health and exercise benefits you get from vibration platforms/plates and what is known as “bad” effects referred to as “whole body vibration exposure” through occupational vibration in a workplace.

Those lacking experience/knowledge about “vibration exercise” or “vibration therapy” make assumptions, or businesses selling competing equipment make claims of potential harm you must understanding the two are just not the same. This has created a lot of debate over the years yet to date, there have been no ill effects known to be associated with the use of a proper vibration plate other than what over exercising, or fatigue may present.

Occupational Vibration is linked to exposure during a task or in a workplace where vibration from vehicles, equipment or tools transfers to the arms, hands or other areas of the body often for long periods and may have harmful health effects. Tools like jackhammers and tampers created very high frequencies (over 100 hz) that can affect the hands, arms and shoulders while drivers/operators that remain seated in heavy equipment or trucks for long periods may suffer effects in the back, neck, hips and legs. These industries and manufacturers are regulated and must comply to safety and operational requirements outlined in ISO Guidelines.

Vibration Exercise or Therapy is short in duration and low in frequencies (up to 100 hz). Weight bearing exercises or slightly modified positions are performed on the plate surface while small micromovements stimulate your body and its systems to balance & stabilize on it. Exercise positions can be static, muscle groups will fatigue quickly under these rapid, low impact movements significantly reducing time spent doing an exercise or overall routine.

General daily use is recommended to be no more than 30 mins total. Try shorter sessions more often throughout the day for self care, recovery applications, where you suffer poor mobility or fatigue easily. Adjustments can be made to accommodate poor mobility, fatigue, or instability. Talk to your trainer or therapist about a appropriate routine of positions for your goals.

Poor Stability/Fatigue- If you are at a high risk of falling or easily fatigue, use a stool or chair and begin use in a seated position with feet on the plate until you feel confident in progressing to standing.

Pregnancy- It is not typically recommended you start any new or strenuous exercise if you are pregnant. If you are a seasoned vibration plate user, your body has to a degree become used to this activity and may be ok to continue use or vary your use depending on your current level of health. If you were an active jogger, you likely would not stop running but you may modify how you run and your routine as your condition progresses.

Please Seek clarity prior to starting a vibration plate program and discuss suitability with your doctor, care provider or experience vibration plate professional if you are dealing with any of the following:

Seizures - if you are prone to seizures, experience them as triggered if you perform exercise/massage activities or take medication where this is a potential side effect use as guided by an experienced WBV or medical professional.

Recent Surgery/Injury/Implants (Fractures, Joint Replacements, Screws, Rods, Fusions, Pacemakers, Lenses, IUDs, Mesh Inserts etc) – For recent implants (including pacemakers, joint replacements etc) or fracture of any kind ensure your doctor or care provider has given you the ok to resume weight bearing activities. Adhere to the recovery period and activities or specific positions or activities they may have advised you not perform. If you have had any recent injuries, a new medical diagnosis or a procedure, using a machine and when you are able to is dictated by your own recovery related to the type of procedure. It is also related to your experience and whether you have any in using a machine. You can use a machine in many cases even the same day but understand there will be modifications to what you can do and qualified guidance is recommend.

Gall or kidney stones – if you currently have stones passing, pain may result from any form of exercise. As such we do not recommend using standing positions or using your device at all if pain is severe until they have passed, and you are able to perform your daily activity without pain or limitations.

Severe/Chronic inflammation – Vibration plates can offer symptom relief while being a viable low impact form of exercise. As every individual is unique, it can affect inflammation in different ways., Seek qualified guidance to assess the best approach for your condition.

Severe DVT or Blood Clots – Blot clots can be a symptom of an underlying issue, and all factors need to be considered if undergoing any new activity. Do not use a vibration plate I you have known or suspect you may have clots without first discussing associated risks with your care provider.

As use and experience grows with these devices, we can look forward to a better understanding about the advantages and potential applications vibration plates can offer so many seeking alternatives