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You may already be aware of how vibration training can help drop a dress size, but did you also know that it could help fight the onset and progression of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a silent malady, a fragile bone condition that affects 44 million Americans causing more than 1.5 million fractures each year in the U.S. at a cost of $17 billion.
Although both genders are affected, later age women are particularly susceptible. Osteoporosis afflicts an estimated 1/3 of women aged 60 to 70 years of age, and an extraordinary 2/3’s of women aged 80 or older — approximately 200 million women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis.
To date, the medical community has prescribed largely calcium supplements, vitamin D, resistance training, and controversial prescription drugs such as Fosamax to prevent and treat the malady, however, there is a revolutionary new technique to preventing and treating osteoporosis that is really ‘shaking things up’. It’s called “vibration training”, or “whole body vibration”.
Power Plate
Published research and a host of anecdotal, first-hand experiences by doctors, therapists and Osteoporosis patients are supporting the use of The Power Plate, an advanced whole body vibration system.
The Power Plate initiates the body’s innate reflexive response by slightly disrupting stability in order to stimulate a wide array of benefits including; but not limited to, increases in muscle strength, flexibility, hormonal release, lymphatic drainage, bone density and metabolic rates. Just as the leg kicks forward involuntarily when the doctor strikes the lower knee to test reflexes, the body’s muscles engage in an involuntary reflexive muscle contraction in response to the vibration from the Power Plate system.
A New Holistic Approach to Osteoporosis
Vibration treatment is not only effective and painless in preventing and treating osteoporosis, but it’s also very time efficient.
According to Scott Hopson of Power Plate North, “Conventional resistance training methods can create challenges for a wide range of the population either reluctant to, or unable to, engage in the time consuming and high stress obstacles associated with them. The Power Plate provides an exciting and holistic alternative, using the natural forces of gravity, in a significantly less stressful and time consuming environment – as little as 10-20 minutes 3 times per week.”
In 2004, the American Journal of Bone Mineral Research published the results of a six-month study conducted with 70 post-menopausal woman, comparing bone scan results of those utilizing Power Plate over a 24-week period with those utilizing conventional resistance training over the same period.
Bone scan results for the Power Plate group revealed a 1.5% bone mineral increase at the hip, while the resistance training group revealed no significant increase.
As a bonus, the Power Plate group revealed significant improvements in postural control and balance, critical components to reducing falls which commonly result in fractures and significant injuries among those living with Osteoporosis.
What is equally critical to note is that the Power Plate group achieved its results in half the time and with significantly less effort as those that utilized conventional resistance training – three 30-minute sessions per week for the Power Plate exercise group compared to three 60-minute sessions per week for the resistance training group.
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Research and Clinical Implementation found that whole body vibration workouts, like that used through the Power Plate, improved the Bone-mineral density of participants by 4.3% after 8 months and improved balance by 29%.
In addition to published research, a host of medical and therapy professionals including doctors, physical therapists, wellness & longevity therapists and chiropractors are reporting positive and compelling stories of success with their own patients. In a time of medication recalls, it’s good to know there is a safe and effective alternative. Vibration therapy using Power Plate technology for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is that safe and effective alternative.
To learn more about The Power Plate and determine if this treatment is right for you contact the doctors John & Sandy McLean, DC at Elevation Health 561-203-7945.
