Table of Contents
Marodyne LiV: Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis
This Marodyne LiV review covers the benefits of the LiV (Low Intensity Vibration), who should use it, and how to set up the device so that you get the most out of your investment.
The Marodyne LiV is a low intensity vibration platform that emits vertical, low intensity vibrations that originate at the feet and are propagated through the body. These signals, in turn, affect skeletal and muscle health.
The science behind the Marodyne LiV is covered extensively in a series of interviews I had with the creator of the technology, Dr. Clinton Rubin — a leading researcher in vibration therapy.
As a result, this post does not cover how the technology influences health, whether that be skeletal or other health. For those of you interested in how the technology works and how it effects your body, I encourage you to read my post on Whole Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis and Bone Density.
Marodyne LiV Price Discount and Disclosure Statement
I have no financial interest in Marodyne. If you are interested in the Marodyne LiV, you can contact Marodyne and they will get back to you to address any questions you have. If you decide to purchase the device, they will give you a discount on the purchase price.
Marodyne LiV Benefits
Regular use of the Marodyne low intensity vibration (LiV) platform has many benefits, including the following:
- First, the Marodyne LiV stimulates and contracts your muscles. This, in turn, builds muscle strength and positively affects muscle mass in the arms and spine (1).
- Second, when you use the Marodyne LiV, the circulation and lymphatic flow in your body improves.
- The third benefit is the improvement in bone quality. Studies show that children, teens, young adults and postmenopausal women (2, 3), experience an improvement in bone quality after using the vibration platform for a period of a year.
- Fourth, the Marodyne LiV enhances your posture because it is gives you mechanical feedback as to whether or not you are in good postural alignment.
- Fifth, the Marodyne LiV offers temporary relief of aches and pain throughout the body.
- Sixth, LIV is a non-pharmaceutical approach (or pharmaceutical complement) for individuals with low bone mass and density because of osteoporosis.
- Finally, the Marodyne LiV has been shown to also improve your balance by influencing and improving the reflexes within the muscles.
Marodyne LiV Safety and Side Effects
No contraindications have been discovered or associated with the Marodyne LiV.
High intensity whole body vibration platforms, on the other hand (such as the Power Plate), have been shown to have a number of contraindications and are not recommended for therapeutic purposes and certainly not for individuals with low bone density, osteopenia or osteoporosis.
The device is safe to use if you have had a joint replacement, whether that is a hip or knee replacement. It is also safe if you have plates or screws from previous fractures.
Who Should Use the Marodyne LiV?
The Marodyne LiV is appropriate (and effective) with three main age groups. The application within each main age group differs. Let me explain.
Older Adults (Over the Age of 50)
Most of my clients tends to be older adults, in particular, adults over the age of 50. There are several instances when the Marodyne LiV is appropriate for this group. Let’s start with the weather and walking.
Fair Weather Walkers
Walking is the primary form of exercise for many of these clients.
Because they live in Canada, they are not comfortable walking in the winter snow and ice. Also, the summers can get quite hot, and the daytime heat is not conducive to walking.
In general, people do not like to walk in extreme heat or cold (regardless where they live). In those situations, the Marodyne low intensity vibration platform is an excellent exercise supplement.
I encourage clients to practice daily walks at a brisk pace. During the winter, I recommend that they wear footwear, such as a the Icebug boots, that keep them steady so they avoid slips and falls. Summer walks can be done early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler and more comfortable.
Because the weather often limits the frequency of walks during the day, I recommend the Marodyne LIV as an exercise supplement.
Let’s assume Mary is able to avoid the heat and get out early in the morning for her brisk walk. I would like Mary to do another form of activity later in the day. Since she feels restricted by the weather, a 10 minute session on the Marodyne later that day is a great supplement.
Walking and the Spine
Brisk walking or running only impacts the hip area, whereas signals from the Marodyne low intensity vibration platform propagate all the way up to the skull and stimulate muscles and bone in the spine.
When You Cannot Exercise
Clients with injuries such as sprained knees, hip problems and back pain cannot exercise. When they ask me what they should do, I recommend the Marodyne low intensity vibration platform.
Individuals with a High Osteoporotic Fracture Risk
Individuals of all ages that are in the high fracture risk category benefit the most from the Marodyne LiV vibration therapy.
If you are at a low fracture risk and can do activities such as jumping, lifting heavy weights, and playing racket sports, you will not benefit as much as someone unable to perform these activities. The reason? These activities deliver much the same benefit as the LiV.
I have clients that are in the high fracture risk category that use it and love it. It makes them feel like their whole body has been stimulated in a gentle but effective way.
Adults (Under the Age of 50)
Individuals under the age of 50 often contact me to help them with their bone health. These individuals often have a history of eating disorders. In some cases, when they were younger, they participated in ballet or gymnastics and not had the caloric intake needed to support their bones during their important growth phase. (2)
In their adult and young adult years, they look for ways to boost their bone strength. They’re busy as young mothers and don’t have the time to do the weight training, loading, or weight bearing required to build muscle and bone.
In those situations, the LiV platform is an exercise supplement.
The Marodyne LiV does not replaces exercise, but rather using the device can fill in exercise gaps when they occur.
Children
The last group that the Marodyne LiV has been studied with and been shown to be very effective with are disabled children.
There are numerous studies (4) done with a variety of different disabilities in children. It turns out that the low intensity vibration therapy is appropriate for this group.
Keep in mind that the Marodyne LiV has a weight limit on the lower end of 66 pounds, as well as one on the upper end, which is 275 pounds.
Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis
Exercise is an essential ingredient to bone health. If you have osteoporosis, therapeutic exercise needs to be part of your osteoporosis treatment program.
But what exercises should you do and which ones should you avoid? What exercises build bone and which ones reduce your chance of a fracture? Is Yoga good for your bones? Who should you trust when it comes to exercises for osteoporosis?
A great resource on exercise and osteoporosis is my free, seven day email course called Exercise Recommendations for Osteoporosis. After you provide your email address, you will receive seven consecutive online educational videos on bone health — one lesson each day. You can look at the videos at anytime and as often as you like.
I cover important topics related to osteoporosis exercise including:
- Can exercise reverse osteoporosis?
- Stop the stoop — how to avoid kyphosis and rounded shoulders.
- Key components of an osteoporosis exercise program.
- Key principles of bone building.
- Exercises you should avoid if you have osteoporosis.
- Yoga and osteoporosis — should you practice yoga if you have osteoporosis?
- Core strength and osteoporosis — why is core strength important if you have osteoporosis?
Enter your email address and I will start you on this free course. I do not SPAM or share your email address (or any information) with third parties. You can unsubscribe from my mail list at any time.
Marodyne LiV and Exercise
For most people, the Marodyne LiV does not replace or substitute for an osteoporosis exercise program. It is an effective supplement and I encourage people who are serious about their bone health to consider the Marodyne as another tool in their toolkit.
People do ask me how the Marodyne LiV compares to exercises, such as the heel drop exercise. The differences are too long to cover in this article, but in a nutshell, ten minutes on the Marodyne LiV would be equivalent to thirty minutes of continuous heel drops — without concern of irritating your heel, knees, hips or back.
Unlike the heel drop exercise, the Marodyne stimulates your spine. The heel drop only impacts your lower body.
Frequency and Duration of Use of the Marodyne LiV
People often ask me, “Can I use the Marodyne LiV more than once a day?”
In his interview, Dr. Clinton Rubin states that you can use it multiple times during the day and, in fact, he encourages frequent use.
Multiple use increases creation of exoskeleton in the cells — this means that the cells are going to be more responsive to mechanical stimulation.
How much time between usage periods?
You want to allow a period of time to lapse between LiV usages. Dr. Rubin recommends a three to five hour refractory period, or rest time, between treatment sessions.
You Are Unable to Tolerate a 10 Minute Marodyne LiV Session
I have several clients who, for various reasons, are unable to stand for ten minutes with experiencing fatigue or pain. For example, individuals with spinal compression fractures frequently experience significant pain and have limited tolerance for activities, including standing.
They ask me if they can use the Marodyne and, specifically, how they should use it given these constraints.
The Marodyne LiV is safe for people with vertebral compression fractures. However, I always encourage them to consult with the physician or surgeon and get the green light before staring an exercise program or use a low intensity vibration platform.
It is definitely safe but the recommended ten minutes is a long time for someone in pain with low standing tolerance. I recommend the following protocol for this individual:
- Start with just a single minute session, preferably under supervision of a physical therapist.
- Use chairs on either side of the individual to provide extra support.
- Stay at a minute session for a few days until the individual is ready to add a minute, either in one standing (i.e. a two minute session) or at another time of the day.
- Progress gradually.
- Within a month or so the individual should reach the recommended 10 minute session.
Protecting Your LiV From Power Surges
I recommend you use a power surge extension to protect your Marodyne LiV from sudden power surges.
Setup and Use of the Marodyne LiV
Now that we have covered the who should use the Marodyne LiV, let’s move on to set up of the device.
Best Location for the Marodyne LiV
It is important that you find the right location in your home to place the device. Here are some important points to consider.
- Make sure it’s not close to a water source.
- Avoid kitchens and bathrooms where floods can occur.
- The flooring has to be solid. Wood, tile, and linoleum floors are perfect.
- Avoid thick carpets; but you can place the device on thin carpets.
- Put the device in a location where you spend time. If the LiV is out of sight, it is likely out of mind and you reduce the chances it will get used regularly.
How to Setup the Marodyne LiV
In the video, I demonstrate several ways you can setup and power the Marodyne LiV. I will not describe the processes step-by-step in this blog post since the video does a good job of illustrating the device setup.
The important thing is to use good body dynamics when lifting, placing and accessing the device. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself getting your Marodyne LiV ready!
How to Power On the Marodyne LiV
In the video I demonstrate several ways to power on the device using good body mechanics. Four techniques to power on the Marodyne LiV include:
- On your knees.
- Golfer’s lift.
- Deep squat.
- Big toe technique.
How to Use the Marodyne LiV
Do not wear shoes when you use the Marodyne low intensity vibration platform. It is advisable to wear socks on the platform.
When you turn on the device it initiates itself. This may take a few minutes. It then emits an audible signal indicating that it is ready for use.
The user manual describes how the machine initiates itself. This happens very quickly so don’t worry if you don’t even have time to see that happening.
Now that it’s calibrated, you can step on.
Stepping on the Marodyne LiV
If you use the railing as a support for going up and down stairs, then I highly recommend that you use a chair beside you for stability when you mount the Marodyne LiV. It will ensure that you have the stability and comfort when you’re first stepping on the platform.
When you are on the device, you will notice that there’s a green dot right in the center of the LED at the base of the unit. That indicates that the machine is well balanced in terms of the distribution of your weight on the platform.
Get Comfortable on the LiV
Here are important pointers for using the Marodyne LiV
Explore Movements on the LiV
I encourage you to explore how the machine feels through your body as you gently shift your weight forward or backward. Very, very gently shift forward and back so that you’re coming a little bit onto the balls of your feet and a little bit onto your heels.
You do not want to surprise yourself with any sudden movements. Get comfortable on the device.
Body Alignment and the LiV
Here are a few pointers regarding body alignment and the use of the Marodyne LiV:
- Keep your knees straight when you use the Marodyne LiV so that the full signal propagates through your body.
- Bent knees weaken the vertical signal.
- Don’t lock or bend your knees. Have them straight to allow the vibration of the machine to come all the way up.
- Explore bending and straightening, and see at what at angle of straightness you experience the most vibration.
- Feel the vibration all the way up to your TMJ.
- Become aware of your mouth and jaw. When you feel your teeth mildly chattering, you are in the perfect alignment.
- Maintain perfect alignment of ear over shoulder, hip, and ankle.bThis encourages you to weight bear evenly through both feet.
Session Pause Feature
The Marodyne LiV has a nice pause feature. This allows you to pause a session and resume the remainder of the session later.
The five minute pause feature begins within 5 seconds of stepping off the device. When you get back on the device, the original session will resume the countdown.
Reading, Zooming on the Marodyne LiV
In the video I demonstrate how to read, use your computer, and access your smartphone while on the Marodyne LiV. The vibration signal is not noticeable by other people, so don’t worry that people will know that you are using your Marodyne during a Zoom call!
Use your treatment sessions as opportunities to train yourself to maintain your best posture and alignment. The Marodyne LiV is a great tool to give you cues on your posture.
Is the Marodyne Low Intensity Vibration FDA Approved?
The Marodyne Low Intensity Vibration platform is approved for treatment of osteoporosis in the Europe Union (EU). The device is approved by Health Canada as a certified medical device. Marodyne is not approved in the US for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Low Intensity Vibration is something to consider in conjunction with (but not a substitute for) pharmacologic treatments for osteoporosis, as well as exercise and nutrition.
Marodyne LiV Price
At time of writing, the list price for the Marodyne LiV is $3,000 USD. Our understanding is that price for the device can vary in different countries because of currency values and product classification. I encourage you to check with your local Marodyne distributor to get an official price quote.
Price Discount for MelioGuide Readers
We have negotiated a price discount for our readers. If you click the link, you will be directed to the Marodyne Contact Page. Leave your contact information and a Marodyne sales representative in your area will contact you. If you purchase a device, you will automatically access the price discount.
Where to Purchase the Marodyne LiV
The Marodyne LiV is sold by distributors in different parts of the world. If you use the contact link, the sales representative closest to you will contact you.
Marodyne LiV Manufacturer
The Marodyne LiV is manufactured by BTT Health in Germany.
Where Did the Name Marodyne Come From?
The name Marodyne is a blend of two words: “marrow” (as in bone marrow) and “dyne” (which means a unit of force.)
Conclusion
The Marodyne LiV is a great supplement to exercise and useful for people of all ages. It is particularly useful for older adults. The device is easy to setup and use.
I encourage you to consider the Marodyne LiV as a complement to your exercise regimen.
Further Reading
References
- Petryk A, et al. Feasibility and Tolerability of Whole-Body, Low-Intensity Vibration and its Effects on Muscle Function and Bone in Patients with Dystrophinopathies: A Pilot Study. Muscle and Nerve. June 2017.
- Gilsanz V et al. Low-level, high-frequency mechanical signals enhance musculoskeletal development of young women with low BMD. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2006, September ;21(9):1464-74.
- Wehrli F, Leonard M, et al. Effect of Low-Intensity Vibration on Bone Strength, Microstructure, and Adiposity in Pre-Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Bone Mineral Research. 13 December 2020.
- Reyes, ML et al. High-Frequency, Low-Intensity Vibrations Increase Bone Mass and Muscle Strength in Upper Limbs, Improving Autonomy in Disabled Children. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Vol. 26, No. 8, August 2011, pp 1759–1766
Comments
February 1, 2022 at 12:10pm
Penelope Johnson
Is this safe for VERY SEVERE osteoporosis?
February 1, 2022 at 2:13pm
Richard Martin replies
Yes, it is. The displacement is about 1.4 G of force - equivalent to your heel striking the ground as you walk.
February 1, 2022 at 12:34pm
Sue
how long is a session ???
February 1, 2022 at 1:08pm
Richard Martin replies
10 minutes.
February 1, 2022 at 1:05pm
Evelyn Horton
Enjoy your videos sooo much. Thank you. I didn't hear in the video, how "long" to do a LIV session. Is it 5 min. 10 etc, or does the unit shut off automatically, preprogrammed into the unit???
February 1, 2022 at 1:08pm
Richard Martin replies
The default duration of a session is 10 minutes. As explained in the video, the device automatically terminates the session at 10 minutes. You can step off the device during the 10 minute session and return to complete the remaining treatment session.
February 1, 2022 at 7:41pm
Di Cook
Is LIV safe for individuals with aortic graft and aortic valve repair following a disection, who still have aortic and carotid disections.
February 3, 2022 at 4:23pm
Richard Martin replies
According to Marodyne, there are no known contraindications.
February 1, 2022 at 9:44pm
Dianne
Can I ask please, then what is the difference between using this machine and walking(albiet probably for very long distances!) then ? And do purchasers in other countries
qualify for discounts?
February 2, 2022 at 7:33am
Richard Martin replies
Walking does not provide an equivalent amount of stimulus compared to the platform. This post goes into detail as to how the device works:
http://melioguide.com/osteoporosis-exercise-equipment/whole-body-vibration-therapy/
This post discusses walking and bone health.
http://melioguide.com/osteoporosis-exercises/is-walking-good-for-osteoporosis/
Depending on your situation, the Marodyne device is an excellent supplement to your exercise program.
February 6, 2022 at 2:00pm
Usersckmdok
Someone gave me a 2006 Juvent and I wonder if I should trade it in because of Marodyne's claim that the vibrations are better transmitted up the skeleton. I have -4 lumbar spine and I could afford to but the marodyne
February 6, 2022 at 3:20pm
Richard Martin replies
I suggest you bring this question to Marodyne here: https://my-marodyne-liv.btt-health.com/
February 17, 2022 at 10:10pm
Mitzi
I have reoccurring sciatica pain down my left leg. Would using this low intensity vibrator possibly make the pain worse? Also I have had two compression fractures (three months ago) is it safe to use the vibrating machine now and could it possibly cause more compression fractures?
March 13, 2022 at 4:33pm
Donna Fredette
Good afternoon, I would like to know if the Marodyne device has been approved in Canada? I live in Montreal, Quebec. Thank you for your attention and cooperation to this matter. Donna Fredette
March 14, 2022 at 4:09pm
Richard Martin replies
Hi Donna. Yes. The device received Health Canada Class 2 approval in 2021. The Canadian distributor for Marodyne is Medlines. If you mention that you learned about the Marodyne LiV from MelioGuide, they will offer a discount at purchase. Medlines is located here: https://medlines.ca/bone-health/
June 16, 2022 at 7:47am
Eileen Hart
Hello, I have reviewed Marodyne, and am very interested in purchasing this device. I am 70yr. old and have been on Prolia for 9years
I am at the point in August to ween off of this with Dr. suggesting of bisphosphonate???? Quite discouraged by this!
My question can you use the device if you are on medication? Goal is drug holiday,
June 16, 2022 at 11:41am
Richard Martin replies
Hi Eileen. Yes you can.
October 25, 2022 at 6:20pm
Mary
What is the weight limit for the plate.
October 27, 2022 at 8:20am
Richard Martin replies
8.1 kg or 17.85 pounds