Latest news with #physiotherapists
Health Line
a day ago
- Health
- Health Line
What are the Benefits of Vibration Plates?
Vibration plates may help improve strength, balance, and bone density, relieve chronic pain, boost brain health, and contribute to weight loss. That said, more research is needed. A vibration plate is a small platform device that you can stand, sit, or lie on. It moves in different directions to transmit mechanical energy in the form of vibrations through your body. This forces your muscles to contract as you try to maintain balance. Using a vibration plate may have physiological and cognitive benefits because it can stimulate the muscles, promote blood flow, boost hormone production, and send mechanical signals to bone and connective tissue. This type of therapy is known as vibration therapy. It may be a great form of exercise for people who have limited mobility, as it forces the muscles to work without much movement. Keep reading to learn more about the possible benefits of vibration plates and how to start using one at home. Types of vibration plates There are four main types of vibration plates. They each differ in how they move, which can impact the direction, depth, and frequency of each vibration. This can affect the body in slightly different ways. Linear: This vibration plate moves up and down vertically. The platform you stand on remains horizontal or parallel to the floor the whole time. Pivotal oscillation: This vibration plate moves up and down like a see-saw. When one end is higher up, the other end is lower down. 3D/4D oscillation: This vibration plate combines the vertical movements of the linear plate and the see-saw movement of the pivotal oscillation plate. Low intensity: This vibration plate also moves up and down vertically. It produces shorter, but faster movements than the linear vibration plate. The vibration frequencies typically used on a vibration plate range from 12 to 90 Hertz (Hz), but experts found that frequencies higher than 50 Hz increase the risk of injury and other complications. A healthcare professional or a physical therapist can help you decide which vibration plate is best for you and show you how to use it properly. May strengthen bones Vibration therapy may play a key role in managing bone conditions like osteoporosis by strengthening the bones and maintaining bone mineral density. According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, vibration therapy was first developed for astronauts. Researchers found that using a vibration plate for 10 to 20 minutes daily in space helped prevent bone loss. This may be because vibration therapy affects the bones similarly to exercise. During physical activity, muscle tissue pulls on the bone, so the bone must work to keep it intact. This helps strengthen the bones. During a vibration plate session, the mechanical energy also causes the muscles to act on the bones, mimicking this process. This may help strengthen the bones, but more research is needed to understand this process. A 2023 review found that vibration therapy may help support bone health in other ways, such as by promoting: blood flow to the bones the natural production of osteoblasts, which are the cells that form new bone tissue the production of human growth hormone, which plays a role in physical development Vibration frequencies ranging from 20 to 50 Hz seemed to positively affect bone mineral density. »More on this: Vibration therapy for osteoporosis May help manage chronic pain Chronic pain refers to pain that lasts longer than 3 to 6 months, most often affecting the joints, muscles, and bones. Some research suggests that using a vibration plate may help relieve chronic pain. For instance, a 2023 review found that vibration therapy can help relieve, manage, and prevent chronic lower back pain by: relaxing the lower back muscles promoting blood flow to the joints reduce swelling in the joints activating and strengthening the trunk muscles improving the body's awareness in space (proprioception) improving the mobility and flexibility of ligaments and tendons The researchers also noted that vibration therapy was an effective component of physical rehabilitation programs for some musculoskeletal conditions, stroke, and cerebral palsy. Using a vibration plate may also play a role in managing neuropathic (nerve) pain. A 2018 study in 40 adults found that whole-body vibration therapy helped reduce neuropathy associated with chemotherapy without causing any side effects. May boost strength and physical performance Using a vibration plate could help boost muscular strength, mass, and function, and may be especially beneficial for certain populations. A vibration plate forces the muscles to contract and adapt to resistance in a similar way to exercise. However, vibration therapy sessions are usually around 15 minutes, and they require less impact and movement. This makes it a good muscle strengthening and functioning option for people with limited mobility and those with sarcopenia, a condition characterized by age-related muscle loss. Despite these positive findings, research on the muscle building effects of vibration therapy is mixed. The effects also primarily impact muscles in the lower body and core, rather than the full body. As such, it's best to combine vibration plate exercises with other types of exercise. What exercises can I do on a vibration plate? Several exercises can be done on a vibration plate to help build strength, improve balance, and benefit the brain, heart, and bones. Some common exercises include: planks pushups squats calf raises These exercises can also be performed isometrically for 30 to 60 seconds. You can hold a squat halfway down or a pushup in the top position. May support brain health Researchers are beginning to explore the possible role of vibration therapy in promoting brain health and cognition. According to a 2024 review, some studies found that vibration therapy might help improve memory, orientation, and language skills in people with Alzheimer's disease. Animal studies also suggest that it might be beneficial for traumatic brain injury and stroke recovery. However, the authors concluded that more research is needed to understand the possible role of vibration therapy in brain health. May promote weight loss and management Vibration plates are often touted for their potential to accelerate weight loss and reduce body fat. A 2019 review in people with overweight or obesity found that vibration therapy is a beneficial therapy for reducing fat mass, especially when combined with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Another 2019 review found similar results. The key thing to note, however, is that vibration alone is not enough to lose fat. Weight loss requires maintaining a calorie deficit, which is when you consume fewer calories than you burn daily. Several factors contribute to maintaining a calorie deficit, including exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, sleeping well, and managing stress, among others. »More on this: Vibration therapy for weight loss How much does a vibration plate cost? The cost of a vibration plate varies widely. Home platforms can cost between $150 and $2,000, and you can find free workout videos on streaming platforms like YouTube. Vibration plates are available in some gyms and physical therapy clinics. The cost varies depending on the location, clinic, and session length. It's important to note that vibration therapy is often not covered by healthcare insurance. If you have insurance, speak with your provider before starting vibration therapy to see if it's covered. Possible side effects In most cases, vibration plates are safe and pose little risk for side effects when the frequency is 50 Hz or less. But using a vibration plate at higher frequencies may lead to injury and increase the risk of falling. According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, whole body vibration may not be suitable if you: have a history of blood clots have had a heart attack or stroke have a pacemaker or a joint replacement have experienced a spinal fracture are pregnant experience dizziness or vertigo have ear problems or wear a cochlear hearing implant If you're considering getting a vibration plate or trying one in a clinic, speak with a healthcare professional before. They can assess your physical health and determine the best physical activity plan for you.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
More than 700 Ministry of Education staff to test new partial strike pay-docking laws
File photo. Photo: Unsplash More than 700 Ministry of Education staff working with children with significant learning needs will put the government's new partial strike pay-docking laws to the test. The legislation - which passed last month - means employers can again deduct workers' wages, including for industrial action that doesn't amount to a full strike. NZEI Te Riu Roa is the union representing the service managers and field staff including speech therapists, physiotherapists, behaviour support specialists who undertook a two-hour strike last Tuesday, which led to a reduction in their pay packets. They plan to continue industrial action by working to rule, with service managers to work no more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week and refusing to assess new requests for support; and field staff working a maximum 7.6 hours a day, 38 hours a week, not taking on any new cases. NZEI in a statement said it was filing a court injunction to try stop the ministry from docking 10 percent of their wages. Member and speech language therapists Conor Fraser said the ministry should not be taking punitive action and instead invest in learning support specialists. "It is an overreach for the ministry to dock 10 percent of specialists' pay for a month when we are doing our contracted hours. The law is clear that employers should not dock pay when a strike involves a refusal to work overtime," he said. RNZ has sought comment from the ministry. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Why physiotherapy isn't just for the injured
Physiotherapy. The word resonates with everybody in one way or another: the sports injury that just wouldn't heal, the arduous recovery after giving birth, the tedious post-broken toe exercises you dutifully ignored. Advertisement Or maybe you're the person who's avoided the practice altogether after hearing about a 'friend of a friend' who left a session worse off or didn't notice any real benefit. Regardless, two truths seem to be universal: physiotherapy is something you do only after a major injury , and even then, it's rarely something you look forward to. In reality, physiotherapy isn't just a fix-it service, it's increasingly being used to stop problems before they start, reshaping when and why people should book that first session. Beyond recovery: what physio can actually do Physiotherapy can prevent injuries before they occur. Physios really only have one goal: to help you move better. It means their remit is surprisingly broad. From stroke recovery and helping patients in intensive care units to breathe more easily, to aiding those with multiple sclerosis to manage muscle weakness , they can be wizards for those with bigger issues. And increasingly, their expertise is being applied to prevention and everyday function as much as rehabilitation. But in much the same way a session with a mental health therapist can be all too easily brushed off as something you 'don't really need' (only to find yourself struggling even more a year later), physiotherapists can play a crucial role in preventing bigger problems down the line, too, if you give them a chance. A proactive approach – for athletes and everyone else For Neil Fitzhenry from The Physio Lab in Hong Kong, who's worked with dozens of professional footballers, rugby players and gymnasts, being proactive is a no-brainer, but most people don't realise it's even an option. Advertisement
Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Times
How strong are your calves? It matters more than you think
H ow strong are your calves? It is a question that matters not just for aesthetics, but for your health. Strong calf muscles are essential for supporting good posture, better walking and running, and for preventing the painful lower leg injuries which physiotherapists say peak at this time of year, when many of us decide to pick up tennis rackets or take up running for the first time in a while. 'Poorly developed calf muscles will limit everyday functional movement and raise the risk of tendon and knee injuries, as well as muscle strains,' says the physiotherapist Lucy Macdonald, a spokeswoman for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 'Yet these important muscles are often overlooked at the gym in favour of building powerful thighs and glutes.' It's time, she says, to give our calves the attention they deserve.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Expert reveals the factors that may exacerbate arthritis symptoms
Hot weather can trigger arthritis flare-ups, leading to swelling, fatigue, and increased discomfort, according to Matt Daly of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers may become sensitive to increased temperatures due to their immune system's response to inflammation, while those with osteoarthritis may experience increased stiffness due to humidity or barometric pressure changes. Dehydration may impact synovial fluid production, potentially causing joints to feel stiff or sensitive, although direct evidence is hard to prove. Managing arthritis flare-ups in the heat includes relative rest, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or topical creams, cooling the affected area with water, staying in the shade, wearing light clothing, and staying hydrated. It is important to listen to your body and seek professional help if self-management is not effective, especially if your hands become very red, hot, and swollen.
