Vibration therapy is one potential example.
Osteoporosis, andits precursor osteopenia, is a condition in which bone breakdown outpaces new bone formation.
When this occurs, your bodys bones become less dense overall and more likely to fracture.
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Several different factors can play a role in osteoporosis.
What Is Vibration Therapy?
Bones in your body react to stress by forming new bones to reinforce the area where the strain occurs.
This happens because of specific bone-forming cells called osteoblasts.
Vibration therapy tries to mimic the mechanical stresses associated with exercise and build up bone density in weaker areas.
Potential Benefits
The evidence supporting the use of vibration therapy for osteoporosis is still very mixed.
The research in humans is more inconclusive, however.
Unfortunately, other evidence reviews have called these benefits into question.
Another summary of the literature found no overall benefit on bone density scores when vibration therapy was performed.
Risks and Contraindications
In most cases, vibration therapy is viewed as a low-risk treatment.
That said, it is not without potential adverse effects.
Finally, in several unique situations, vibration therapy is considered to be potentially harmful and is contraindicated.
That said, itis usually viewed as a complement to the morestandard osteoporosis interventionsthat are typically prescribed.
These include:
Summary
Vibration therapy is one potential complementary intervention for osteoporosis.
Because of the relatively low risk involved, it may be a valuable adjunct to more traditional osteoporosis treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vibration therapy is a complementary treatment for osteoporosis.
It involves standing on a stationary platform while vibrations travel through your body.
Vibration therapy may cause a buzzing sensation as the high-speed oscillations travel through your body.
That said, these forces should notbe painful.
However, it is important to work with your healthcare provider to establish acceptable vibration intensities.
This is because too strong vibrations may cause osteoporotic bones to fracture and lead to pain.
Vibration therapy is typically offered at certain physical therapy, chiropractor, and holistic wellness clinics.
Vibration platforms may also be purchased for home use at various locations online.
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2017;39(22):2315-2323. doi:10.1080/09638288.2016.1226417
