Table of Contents
Whole Body Vibration Side Effects
Whole body vibration side effects can be problematic, especially for people with osteoporosis, compression fractures, joint replacements, and eye issues. Individuals who use high intensity vibration plates need to be aware of the dangers of vibration machines.
This post identifies those people who should not use a vibration plate, describes the physics behind vibration plates, discusses vibration therapy for bone health, and defines both high intensity and low intensity whole body vibration. We also cover whether vibration plates are bad for your brain or eyes, address specific medical conditions such as hip replacements, cancer, scoliosis, and heart conditions, and explain common symptoms like itching and digestive changes.
Before we get into vibration plate side effects, let’s briefly discuss vibration therapy for bone health.
Vibration Therapy and Bone Health
Clinicians are using vibration therapy to treat their patients with osteoporosis. They see it as a reliable supplement to an osteoporosis exercise program.
Like physical activity, whole body vibration activates receptors in bones and stimulates bone building. This theory proposes that movement of the vibration plate generates a “tonic vibration reflex,” similar to the stretch reflex. The tonic vibration reflex has been reported to be activated continuously during whole body vibration so that the muscles continue to contract and relax until the stimulus stops (1). Consequently, bone may respond to the applied forces generated during muscle contractions from a tonic vibration reflex.
Whole body vibration may also influence bone building indirectly via a hormonal response. Whole body vibration has been shown to acutely alter testosterone and growth hormone levels (2, 3). The combination of mechanical load and whole body vibration exposure may stimulate larger increases in growth hormone than mechanical load alone.
Recent research has further clarified the mechanisms involved. A 2025 review published in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that vibration therapy activates osteoblast differentiation through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, upregulates bone-building markers such as Runx2 and BMP-2, and inhibits osteoclast activity by reducing the RANKL/OPG ratio (4). These findings help explain why low intensity vibration therapy has shown promise as a non-pharmacological complement to osteoporosis treatment.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in older adults found that whole body vibration training had a statistically significant positive effect on total femur bone mineral density, though the effects at the femoral neck and lumbar spine did not reach statistical significance (5). An overview of systematic reviews published in BMC Women’s Health in 2024, evaluating the totality of evidence on WBV and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, concluded that high-frequency, low-magnitude protocols supported by high-cumulative-dose interventions showed the most consistent benefits (6).
A 2024 meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 783 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found that WBV improved bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, with benefits particularly evident in protocols lasting longer than six months (7).
I encourage you to read our blog post on whole body vibration therapy for osteoporosis where we talk extensively about the health issues associated with high intensity vibration and the benefits of low intensity vibration plate therapy.
The Dangers of Vibration Machines
The essential ingredient in vibration plates is the intensity of the vibration. The dangers of vibration machines stem from the intensity of the vibration.
You want to make sure that the intensity is within an acceptable range to benefit the user while not causing harm.
The intensity level contributes significantly to whole body vibration side effects. My interview below with Dr. Clinton Rubin at SUNY explains this in detail.
Vibration Plate Physics
The physics behind vibration plates can be a bit complicated. Unfortunately, some vendors present confusing messages to consumers and mislead them regarding the potential whole body vibration side effects of their platform. This short tutorial will help you understand vibration physics and allow you to cut through the noise.
There are six variables in a vibration platform that affect your body: body position/posture on the platform, direction, frequency, acceleration, magnitude, and time on the platform.
Body Position
Standing straight will enhance the ability of the vibration to move up the legs through the hips and spine. A relaxed stance (i.e., bent knees) will decrease the ability of the vibration to move past the hips (8).
When you are on a low intensity vibration platform, such as the Marodyne, you should stand straight and not bend your knees to allow the vibration signal to propagate.
When you are on a high intensity vibration platform, you should bend your knees to reduce the harmful side effects of the vibration. Research has shown that maintaining at least 20 degrees of knee flexion during whole body vibration significantly dampens mechanical vibration reaching the head (9).
However, individuals with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or low bone density should avoid high intensity platforms altogether. In addtion, many people I see do not have the stamina or strength to stay on these platforms with or without knees bent.
Direction of Vibration
A number of different whole body vibration platforms are commercially available, and they provide a vibratory stimulus in one of two ways:
- Vertical displacements. On such platforms, the entire platform moves uniformly.
- Oscillatory alternating displacements. These platforms do not have a uniform displacement. The platform oscillates over a central fulcrum, intended to simulate how humans walk.
If you plan on using a vibration platform for therapy, you should find a platform that does not oscillate so that the signal is uniformly distributed through your body.
Frequency of Vibration
Vibration frequency (or clock rate) is measured in hertz (Hz). A whole body vibration platform provides several different vibration frequency and magnitude options.
Studies that demonstrate improvements in muscle and bone strength and size use whole body vibrations that employ frequencies of 25 to 45 Hz (2, 10–18).
Frequencies between 20 and 70 Hz are the recommended safety range. Low intensity vibration platforms conform to this range. However, a number of high intensity whole body vibration platforms also operate in this range and confuse consumers by solely advertising this metric and downplaying the acceleration (measured in g-force of the platform).
Acceleration
Acceleration describes how quickly the motion exists in each direction (in gravitational units, where 1.0 g = 9.81 m/s²).
A g-force is a measure of acceleration. 1G is the acceleration we feel due to the force of gravity. It’s what keeps our feet firmly planted on the ground. This is perhaps the most important safety variable, and the one that varies most dramatically between platforms.
Magnitude
The magnitude of vibration is measured in amplitude. Amplitude describes how much motion exists in each direction (in millimetres). The magnitude of a vibration stimulus is a combination of amplitude and acceleration.
You want to avoid high magnitude (or high intensity) vibration platforms, as these have the most dangerous side effects.
Time on Platform
The longer you are on a high magnitude platform, the greater the danger to your body. Low intensity platforms, on the other hand, provide dosage guidance for safe use of the platform.
Who Cannot Use High Intensity Vibration Plates
Individuals who have one of the following conditions should not participate in high intensity whole body vibration training without medical clearance. Below is a list of contraindications along with a brief explanation of why each condition is a concern.
- Kidney or bladder stones. Vibration can cause movement of existing stones, potentially leading to pain, obstruction, or tissue damage. If you have a history of stones, consult your physician before using any vibration platform.
- Arrhythmia. Whole body vibration acutely increases heart rate and blood pressure. In individuals with irregular heart rhythms, this added cardiovascular demand may trigger dangerous arrhythmic episodes.
- Pregnancy. See the dedicated section on pregnancy below.
- Epilepsy and seizures. The rhythmic sensory stimulation from vibration may, in theory, lower seizure thresholds in susceptible individuals. No safety data exists for this population.
- Cancer. The concern is not that vibration causes cancer (there is no evidence of this), but that mechanical stimulation may theoretically promote metastasis in individuals with existing malignancies. See the detailed section on vibration therapy and cancer below.
- A pacemaker or implanted medical device. Vibration may interfere with device function or cause displacement of leads. See the heart health section below for specific guidance on low intensity platforms with cardiac implants.
- Untreated orthostatic hypotension. Whole body vibration affects blood pressure regulation. Individuals who experience dizziness upon standing may be at increased risk of falls during or immediately after vibration training.
- Recent implants (joint/corneal/cochlear, etc.). Vibration may loosen recently placed hardware before full osseointegration has occurred. See the joint replacement section below for research on low intensity vibration with implants.
- Recent surgery. Vibration increases blood flow and mechanical stress on healing tissues. Wait for full surgical clearance before beginning any vibration protocol.
- Recently placed intrauterine devices or pins. Similar to surgical implants, recently placed hardware may not yet be secure enough to withstand mechanical vibration.
- Acute thrombosis or hernia. Vibration increases circulation and intra-abdominal pressure. In acute deep vein thrombosis, this could theoretically dislodge a clot. In hernia, increased abdominal pressure may worsen the condition.
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis. During active flare-ups, the mechanical stress of vibration may exacerbate inflammation and joint damage.
- Serious cardiovascular disease. Includes conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, and recent stroke. The acute cardiovascular demands of vibration training make it inappropriate without cardiologist clearance.
- Severe diabetes. Particularly in cases with peripheral neuropathy, where reduced sensation in the feet may prevent the individual from detecting discomfort or injury during vibration use.
- Migraines. Vibration transmitted to the head may trigger or worsen migraines, particularly on high intensity platforms where cranial acceleration is not adequately dampened.
Among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), several adverse events were reported, including pain, pressure sores on the feet, autonomic dysreflexia, and dizziness, which were largely attributed to the passive standing portion of the intervention.
Vibration Plates and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a clear contraindication for whole body vibration platforms. During pregnancy, hormonal changes increase joint laxity, circulation patterns shift, and abdominal pressures change. The mechanical forces generated by a vibration platform—even a low intensity one—create demands on the body that have not been adequately studied in pregnant women.
Virtually all vibration platform manufacturers include a pregnancy warning in their product documentation. The lack of any published safety data for WBV during pregnancy means we cannot determine a safe threshold. If you are pregnant, avoid all vibration platforms until after delivery and you have received clearance from your healthcare provider.
Vibration Plates After Hip or Knee Replacement
Many of my clients with osteoporosis ask if they can use a vibration plate after hip replacement surgery or other joint replacement procedures. The concern is legitimate. The last thing you want is to have your implant come loose after completing your rehabilitation and recovery.
The answer depends on the intensity of the vibration platform and the time elapsed since your surgery.
- For high intensity platforms: These are contraindicated for anyone with recent surgical implants. The high g-forces (above 1g) can generate mechanical stress on hardware that has not yet fully integrated with bone.
- For low intensity platforms (such as the Marodyne LiV): The evidence suggests these are safe after adequate healing time. A study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong recruited patients aged 65 and older with trochanteric fractures fixed with dynamic hip screws or Gamma nails (25). Over six months of daily 20-minute low intensity vibration sessions, the vibration group showed significant improvement in quality of life, early enhancement in hip range of motion, a trend toward higher hip bone mineral density in the wards triangle region, and less bone loss in the femoral neck. Critically, the functional assessment indicated no adverse events, the daily vibration therapy did not affect the orthopedic hardware in any way.
Additional support comes from earlier research by Dr. Clinton Rubin and Dr. Kenneth McLeod (26), who found that low intensity vibration signals stimulated bony ingrowth (osseointegration) into transcortical implants. Implants that remained in disuse experienced fibrous tissue growth—an early harbinger of failure—whereas those subjected to low frequency loading showed initiation of bone formation.
Because vibration is dissipated as it traverses your body, the signal is low when it reaches the joint with the implant, whether that is the knee, hip, or other area. However, you should always consult with your orthopedic surgeon regarding the use of any vibration platform after joint replacement surgery.
Vibration Plates and Scoliosis
Several readers and clients have asked if it is safe to use a low intensity vibration plate with scoliosis, and whether a curved spine will block or reduce the effectiveness of the vibration signal.
There are very few studies specifically examining vibration therapy and scoliosis. One study (27) assessed home-based vibration therapy in individuals with scoliosis and showed an improvement in hip and lumbar spine bone mineral density.
Every scoliosis curve is as unique as the individual. You can test whether vibration transmits up your spine by standing on the platform and placing your hand at the top of your head or over your jaw joints (TMJ) to feel for the vibration signal.
If you have scoliosis and wish to try a low intensity vibration platform, I suggest starting with one minute and progressing by a minute or two per day until you reach the full recommended session time comfortably.
Vibration Plates and Stress Fractures
If you have developed stress fractures, you may wonder whether you should wait until your bones heal before using a low intensity vibration plate.
Mild stress fractures can be considered part of a bone remodeling phenomenon (28). When you increase your activity level through hiking, running, or other activities, this stimulates focal bone turnover. The area of lucency (thinning) on an x-ray is often caused by local bone resorption and active replacement, not necessarily a complete fracture.
A conservative approach is recommended: rest from the intense activity that caused the stress fracture and let bone turnover complete its replacement process. There is strong evidence that low intensity vibration plates can accelerate and augment bone turnover without causing microdamage, because the loads are too small to cause damage (29). The low intensity vibration recruits cells to the area more quickly and activates them more robustly.
However, if you have severe stress fractures, particularly in extreme athletes where high stress concentration at the remodeling site could lead to a complete fracture, consult your physician before using any vibration platform.
Vibration Plates and Compression Fractures
Individuals with, or at risk of, compression fractures need to take extra precautions. The vibration signal from a low intensity platform is a fraction of the gravitational force created by walking, as the signal weakens as it travels up the spine. Low intensity vibration has been shown to accelerate bone repair and remodeling (29). However, you should consult with your physician and get clearance before beginning any vibration protocol after a vertebral compression fracture.
Are Vibration Plates Bad for Your Brain?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and it’s an important one. The answer depends entirely on the intensity of the vibration platform you are using.
The human head has a natural resonant frequency of approximately 20 to 30 Hz (9, 19). When vibration at these frequencies is transmitted through the body to the skull, it can be amplified rather than dampened, a process called resonance. The concern is that high intensity vibration platforms may deliver excessive mechanical energy to the brain.
A study by Muir, Kiel, and Rubin (2013) measured the actual accelerations delivered from commercial vibration platforms to the bodies of standing adults using accelerometers placed on the tibia and at the cranium (19). They found that the Power Plate, even on its low setting, delivered an average of 8.16g of vertical acceleration at the plate surface. When transmitted to standing adults with straight legs, significant acceleration reached the head. In comparison, the Marodyne LiV platform delivered less than 0.3g, roughly twenty-seven times lower than the Power Plate on its lowest setting.
Knee Flexion and Vibration
The critical finding: knee flexion dramatically reduces transmission to the head. Transmissibility was negatively correlated with frequency, with the greatest reduction occurring between 40 and 60 Hz. Maintaining at least 20 degrees of knee flexion during vibration training significantly attenuates the energy reaching the skull (9, 19).
For context, two of the three platforms tested—Power Plate and Vibrafit—far exceeded the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) established by the International Standards Organization (ISO 2631) for daily human vibration exposure. The vibrations delivered were not considered safe for even brief daily exposure according to occupational safety standards (19).
The Marodyne LiV generates 0.4g at the plate surface at a clock rate of 30 Hz. Approximately 80% of the original signal reaches the hip, 75% is transmitted to the spine (approximately 0.3g), and by the time it reaches the cranium, less than 0.1g can be measured through a bite bar accelerometer. These signals are far less than the vibration in your cranium during driving, and less than what reaches your head during walking.
Practical Guidance for Brain Safety
- If you use a high intensity vibration platform, always maintain a bent-knee position (at least 20 degrees of flexion) to reduce vibration transmission to the head.
- Never lock your knees while standing on any vibration platform.
- Low intensity platforms (below 0.3g) do not deliver meaningful acceleration to the head and are not associated with neurological concerns in the published literature.
- If you have a history of concussion, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions, consult your physician before using any vibration platform.
Vibration Plates and Hearing Loss or Tinnitus
Concern for damage to hearing is real and motivated the International Standards Organization to publish ISO-2631. Chronic high intensity vibration can cause blurred vision, disrupt hearing (tinnitus), cause back pain, and interfere with blood flow.
The levels of vibration delivered at the lowest setting of some high intensity devices (e.g., Power Plate, LifePro) can be as high as 8g, which would be considered dangerous for even a few seconds per day. However, the vibration intensities that a low intensity platform like the Marodyne LiV delivers (0.4g at 30 Hz) are considered safe by ISO-2631 for exposures of up to four hours per day. The negligible amount reaching the cranium (<0.1g) is well below the vibration caused by the impact of walking.
If you have tinnitus or hearing sensitivity, avoid high intensity vibration platforms. Low intensity platforms should not exacerbate hearing conditions, but if you notice any changes in your symptoms, discontinue use and consult an ENT specialist.
Are Vibration Plates Bad for Your Eyes?
There is published clinical evidence that high intensity whole body vibration can cause ocular injuries, including retinal tears and vitreous hemorrhage.
A 2020 case report published in BMC Ophthalmology described a 59-year-old man who experienced acute onset of floaters and visual shadows in his left eye after a session of whole body vibration training (20). Examination revealed a temporal retinal tear, inferior pre-retinal hemorrhage, and mild vitreous hemorrhage. He was the third documented case of vitreous hemorrhage following WBV, but the first to show a clear retinal tear directly associated with a WBV session. He was successfully treated with laser photocoagulation.
An earlier case report documented spontaneous dislocation of an intraocular lens (IOL) in a patient following whole body vibration exercise (21). The mechanical energy transmitted to the head during high intensity WBV was sufficient to dislodge the implant.
These cases all involved high intensity platforms delivering forces well above 1g. The authors drew parallels between the ocular effects of WBV and those documented in occupational studies of pneumatic drilling (20).
The Marodyne LiV is considered safe for people who have had cataract surgery. In all clinical trials supervised by Data Safety Monitoring Boards, there has never been a serious adverse event reported regarding the eye. By the time the 0.4g signal reaches the cranium, less than 0.1g can be measured, far less than the vibration experienced during walking. However, high magnitude platforms (7g and above, or twenty times higher than the Marodyne LiV) have been associated with detached retinas in the peer-reviewed literature.
Who Should Be Cautious About Eye Health
- Individuals with a history of retinal detachment in either eye.
- People who have undergone cataract or other eye surgery (particularly with intraocular lens implants) should use only low intensity platforms and consult their ophthalmologist first.
- Those with high myopia (severe nearsightedness), which is a known risk factor for retinal detachment.
- Anyone over age 50 with new onset of floaters or visual changes should stop vibration training and see an eye specialist.
Vibration Therapy and Cancer: What the Research Shows
A question we frequently receive is how low intensity vibration therapy affects cancer. Specifically, some readers want to know if vibration can cause cancer or trigger a recurrence, while others want to know if low intensity vibration is safe for people fighting cancer. Let me address both questions.
Does Vibration Cause Cancer?
There is no evidence that vibration therapy—at any intensity—causes cancer. The reason cancer appears on the contraindications list above is that mechanical stimulation may theoretically promote the spread (metastasis) of an existing cancer by increasing blood flow and lymphatic circulation near tumor sites.
Low Intensity Vibration and Cancer Recurrence
Two preclinical animal studies were conducted to assess whether low intensity vibration could promote cancer, as part of the safety review for a clinical trial at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (22).
In the first study, a mouse model highly susceptible to ovarian cancer was used. This one-year study showed that low intensity vibration did not stimulate the onset of the disease. The longevity curve suggested that animals subjected to LiV were healthier. The LiV group showed statistically significant preservation of bone quality and quantity, with better trabecular connectivity, bone mass, and morphology, and less cortical porosity.
In the second preclinical study, mice with myeloma (not susceptible to it, but with active cancer) were subjected to LiV. The study showed that LiV slowed tumor progression and suppressed tumor maturity in the marrow. Bone quality and quantity were both preserved and protected (22).
These data were sufficient for the St. Jude IRB (internal review board) to approve a clinical trial of LiV in children recovering from leukemia. That clinical study showed that children in the LiV group improved bone endpoints faster than the sham control group, with no evidence of provoking the disease. A Data Safety Monitoring Board continues to regularly review the study with no adverse events reported.
Current Cancer Research with Low Intensity Vibration
Two additional studies are now underway: a pilot study on women with breast cancer at the University of Indiana, and a study on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy at Oregon Health & Science University. Both studies used the St. Jude preclinical and clinical data to satisfy their respective IRBs (23).
The University of Indiana preclinical work has shown that when aromatase inhibitors are used (a standard breast cancer treatment that can damage bone), bone quality is somewhat protected by zoledronate (a bisphosphonate) and by LiV individually, but together they represent a powerful combination therapy for the protection of bone quality and quantity.
Based on this body of research, low intensity vibration appears safe for helping preserve bone in patients who are fighting cancer. It is a surrogate for exercise, and there are no studies showing that exercise promotes cancer progression. However, individuals with active cancer or in treatment should always consult their oncologist before using any vibration platform.
High intensity vibration platforms remain contraindicated for people with cancer.
Vibration Plate Itching, Detox Symptoms, and Digestive Effects
Many people report itching, tingling skin, or a flushed sensation during or after using a vibration plate, especially when they first begin. Some platforms market this as a “detox response.” Let’s look at what’s actually happening.
Why Vibration Plates Make You Itch
The itching sensation is caused by a rapid increase in blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues. Vibration stimulates vasodilation—the widening of small blood vessels—and activates sensory nerve endings in the skin. In some individuals, this triggers a histamine-like response that produces itching, redness, or mild tingling.
This response is most common in people who are new to vibration training, those who are sedentary, or those who have poor baseline circulation. The itching typically diminishes with repeated sessions as the body adapts.
Itching from vibration plates is not a sign of “toxin release.” The concept of “detox” through vibration has no clinical basis. Your body eliminates metabolic waste through the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system, not through skin itching. If the itching is severe, persistent, or accompanied by hives or swelling, stop using the platform and consult a healthcare provider.
Vibration Plates and Digestive Effects
Some users report increased bowel activity, including the urge to have a bowel movement or mild diarrhea, during or shortly after vibration plate use. This is likely caused by the mechanical stimulation of the abdominal region, which can increase intestinal motility. This effect is generally mild and transient. If you have inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or recent abdominal surgery, consult your physician before using a vibration platform.
Can You Use a Vibration Plate Too Much?
Yes. Like any form of exercise or therapy, vibration plates can be overused. The risks of overuse depend on the intensity of the platform.
For high intensity platforms, the risks are well documented in occupational health research. The International Standards Organization (ISO 2631) establishes Threshold Limit Values for daily vibration exposure. A laboratory study by Muir, Kiel, and Rubin found that two popular high intensity platforms exceeded these TLVs to the extent that their vibrations were not considered safe for even brief daily exposure (19).
Signs you may be overusing a vibration plate include persistent joint or muscle pain, headaches, dizziness, fatigue that does not resolve with rest, or any new neurological symptoms.
Recommended Usage Guidelines
- High intensity platforms: Limit sessions to 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times per week, with at least 48 hours between sessions. Always use bent knees.
- Low intensity platforms (such as the Marodyne LiV): The manufacturer recommends 10–20 minutes daily. The low acceleration (below 0.3g) means the platform operates well within ISO safety thresholds for daily exposure.
- If you experience any adverse symptoms, reduce the duration and intensity or discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider.
High Intensity Vibration Versus Low Intensity Vibration: A Comparison
Understanding the difference between high and low intensity vibration platforms is the single most important factor in evaluating safety. The table below uses measured data from published research
Researchers at Lyndhurst Centre caution that high intensity whole body vibration may elicit inner ear troubles, dizziness, headache, lower-limb spasticity, fracture (especially among those with severe osteoporosis), and/or hardware loosening (plates or screws as a result of surgery) (30).
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of whole body vibration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women concluded that low intensity vibration slows down bone loss at the hip (24). The benefits are similar to walking
Does a Low Intensity Vibration Plate Affect Heart Health?
Readers often ask whether vibration plates can affect heart health, particularly for those with heart rhythm concerns (atrial fibrillation or AFib) or cardiac implants (pacemakers, loop recorders, and cardioverter defibrillators).
Across all clinical trials supervised by Data Safety Monitoring Boards, there has never been a reported serious adverse event related to heart health, respiratory health, or any other dimension of health with low intensity vibration. These trials include all age groups, from children to the frail elderly.
The Marodyne LiV generates 0.4g at the plate surface. By the time it reaches the thoracic cavity (where the heart resides), the signal is approximately half of that—and the fluid and air-filled cavities of the torso attenuate it even further. These signals are much smaller than the accelerations you experience during walking (where the heel strike is a 1.2g signal).
However, if you experience heart flutters or palpitations during vibration plate use, stop using the platform temporarily to see if the symptoms change. The flutters may be coincidental or correlational rather than causal, but you should bring the issue to the attention of your cardiologist.
Guidance for Heart Rhythm Concerns and Cardiac Implants
- Ask your specialist, cardiologist, or electrophysiologist to discuss low intensity vibration and heart health before purchasing or using a device.
- The manufacturer can provide EMF emissions data from the operation manual upon request.
- Contact the implant manufacturer directly for their guidance on use of a low intensity vibration device
with your specific implant.
High intensity vibration platforms should be avoided entirely if you have any cardiovascular condition, cardiac implant, or history of heart rhythm disorders.
Vibration Plates and Pelvic Floor Health
Several women have asked whether the Marodyne LiV plate is safe to use with pelvic floor issues, specifically pelvic prolapse. The impact of low intensity vibration on the pelvic floor has not been formally studied. However, based on my clinical experience and personal use of the Marodyne platform, I can share the following:
The vibration signal attenuates as it traverses your body, meaning it is weaker by the time it reaches your pelvic region. Unlike a spontaneous strong laugh or cough, the vibration from a low intensity platform does not generate the kind of sudden intra-abdominal pressure that causes leaking.
Low intensity vibration is more gentle on the pelvic floor than walking. If your prolapse is significant (grade four), consult your gynecologist or pelvic floor physical therapist and consider being fitted for a pessary before beginning vibration therapy.
How to Avoid Whole Body Vibration Side Effects
If you have a medical condition, you should avoid high intensity vibration platforms. Why take the risk when there are few benefits of a vibration plate?
This is especially true for individuals with osteoporosis, compression fractures, or who are at risk of a compression fracture.
A much safer option is to consider a low intensity vibration platform such as the Marodyne. If you have a medical condition, the guidance throughout this post should help you make an informed decision, but always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any vibration protocol.
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References
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