There is strong research to prove whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain. WBV therapy reduces pain from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating disorder that affects millions of people around the world. There are some medications and other treatments that have limited success with some people.
Everyone is unique and some have worse symptoms than others. Researchers and other medical professionals are continuously looking for new treatment options.
Patients with fibromyalgia typically suffer from a combination of symptoms but especially with fatigue and musculoskeletal pain.
Is it true that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain?
There is one technique that seems to work with the majority of users and that is consistently using a whole body vibration machine. Even when patients are experiencing their worst symptoms they usually have the ability to simply stand on a whole body vibration platform.
As you will read here, whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain in addition to many other health benefits.
It is normally best for a new user to start off with the gentlest vibration settings. The tiny up and down movement in rapid succession has been shown to have beneficial results. Many patients can testify that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain.
Research Whole Body Vibration Relieves Fibromyalgia Pain
In one extensive study, it was determined that the participants that benefitted the greatest were those that did both conventional exercises along with whole body vibration.
This confirmed that exercise alone was not the best way to relieve fibromyalgia pain. The best way was to include spending time each day on a WBV plate so the whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain.
The whole body vibration plates work by assisting the muscles to contract. This works the muscles in a unique way. As the vibrations pulse through the body the natural reaction is to counterbalance to stay in control.
This is all being done very subtly so the person is getting the benefits of whole body vibration but without any strain or excessive effort.
Putting it simply, the whole body vibrations cause the muscles to alternately contract and expand. This is how whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain to subside.
Whole body vibration machines are being used by many professional athletes but also by ordinary people. The WBV can be used by those with complex health conditions and even those that are disabled in some way.
WBV training is a low-impact way to improve blood circulation, increase strength and several other benefits.
Evidence is accumulating that whole body vibration can help with fatigue, stress, stiffness and happiness.
An article in Science Direct very clearly states that:
“Whole body vibration (WBV) is a platform that oscillates at a particular frequency and amplitude causing muscle contractions and neuro stimulation shown to improve muscle strength, body balance, bone density, and pain in various populations…
…WBV is found to be effective in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia.”
Another scientific journal concluded that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain and states, “Some studies suggested that WBV therapy may improve balance, pain, and fatigue. The mechanisms behind these effects are not clear but may relate to the following.
WBV elevates heart rate and oxygen uptake, which could translate to improved cardiorespiratory fitness over the long term.
WBV may influence the neuromuscular system and improve reflex responses, especially in patients who have altered reflex generation. This may be related to the ability of vibration to
(a) stimulate subcutaneous proprioceptors,
(b) activate muscle spindles, thereby causing muscle contraction, and
(c) stimulate Golgi tendon organs, thereby improving tonic and antagonist vibration reflexes. WBV may also promote adaptation of human cutaneous sensors in the sole of the foot.
WBV may reduce the perception of pain because vibration affects the afferent discharge of fast adapting mechanoreceptors and muscle spindles.”
It is possible to target specific body areas with a whole body vibration machine. It can strengthen bones, improve circulation, and ease back and muscle pain while overall toning the body.
You would always want to consult a medical professional first, but WBV training seems to be safe for all ages and most health conditions.
Another way it may help fibromyalgia sufferers is that WBV therapy will improve the range of motion in joints, increase flexibility and decrease inflammation. Additional benefits include improving one’s mood, balancing hormones and improving energy levels.
Everything just mentioned will help fibromyalgia symptoms either directly or indirectly.
Additional Whole Body Vibration Helps Fibromyalgia Pain
Scientists at the University of Seville tested the results of Whole Body Vibration in postmenopausal women suffering from fibromyalgia. Their research concluded definitively that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain to a substantial degree.
After performing WBV therapy for a full 6 weeks, they compared their results to the control group. The control group did not use a whole body vibration machine but did engage in regular exercises, during the same 6 weeks.
Amazingly, the researchers found strong improvements in both of the groups in terms of stability, balance, strength, and overall health status. There was also a significant reduction in fibromyalgia pain.
However, they did discover something very important that was different. In the group using vibration platforms, the beneficial results were much more pronounced.
The conclusion of the researchers was that patients with fibromyalgia may reduce pain and gain other additional benefits from Whole Body Vibration therapy.
Scientists at Purdue University investigated using whole body vibration machines with fibromyalgia sufferers and concluded that this method of therapy can reduce acute pain and also improve the overall quality of life among these patients.
Another study conducted by Spanish scientists from the Researchers at the University of Barcelona proved that light exercise on a vibration plate will reduce fatigue and pain in fibromyalgia patients.
Additionally, it contributed to an improved quality of life by improving many physical functions of these fibromyalgia sufferers.
In another controlled study, whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain but also contributed to better coordination, muscle strength and balance, for patients suffering with fibromyalgia.
An extensive controlled study in 2015 was conducted that measured using music with a combination of acupuncture points and vibration.
The research concluded that a comparison between groups revealed that the complete group had the greatest reduction in both FIQ and HAQ, with a significant improvement in HAQ, suggesting that the combined use of music and vibration exerts a greater effect on FM [fibromyalgia] symptoms.
An often-cited study from 2008 was a thorough controlled study. In the study, one group with fibromyalgia followed a regular exercise regimen that included aerobic activities, some stretching and relaxation twice a week.
One group of the women followed up their aerobic workouts with whole body vibration. Another group did not participate in WBV. Finally, a third control group did not exercise or use WBV.
What were the final scientific results? The research paper reported, “Conclusion: Results suggest that a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary WBV safely reduces pain and fatigue, whereas exercise alone fails to induce improvements.”
The studies we have referenced primarily investigate whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain.
In many studies, it is additionally found that whole body vibration machines can build bone density, and muscle strength, burn fat, improve flexibility, improve circulation, and increase metabolism while improving nutrient delivery and cellular oxygen.
WBV will also improve the combination of strength and speed which are very important for reacting to and preventing stumbles and falls.
Most of the research in recent years not only confirmed that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain but it brought about many other health benefits.
More Data – Whole Body Vibration Relieves Fibromyalgia Pain
Of women with fibromyalgia that have connective tissue and muscle pain, nearly 50% also have poor balance. Fibromyalgia symptoms vary from person to person.
It can include very sore, and stiff joints. It may also cause debilitating body pain, fatigue, headaches and indigestion.
A remarkable 12-week study using whole body vibration with fibromyalgia patients resulted in a paper titled, The Therapeutic Effects of Whole-Body Vibration in Patients With Fibromyalgia.
A few of their conclusions included: “The whole body vibration (WBV) therapy has proven to improve health status, strength, static and dynamic balance, physical function, pain and quality of life.”
“The whole body vibration therapy can be an effective therapy in patients with fibromyalgia and it can improve symptomatology and quality of life in these patients.”
“Our findings are like those reported previously indicating that WBV combined with an exercise program enhanced balance and muscle strength, reduced pain and increased quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.
Our study further revealed changes in somatosensory perception, improvements in motor function and a reduction of clinical comorbidities.”
“Improvements in the indexes of functional disability, balance and vibration sensitivity were produced along with the decrease of pain.”
“In conclusion, the rotational WBV seems to improve pain, functionality, quality of life and balance in people with fibromyalgia.
The findings presented in this study validate the benefits of this technique, and advise clinical practitioners including this kind of rotational WBV to their treatment protocols.”
Over time, moderate and regular exercise may help lessen fibromyalgia pain.
Short periods of moderate physical activity can greatly improve
All fibromyalgia sufferers hope for better and improved fibromyalgia pain management. Patients benefit from activities such as weeding the garden, taking the stairs, and parking farther away. Incorporating these small changes brings better functioning and often much less pain.
Moderate activity is considered enough to increase your heart rate but never so strenuous that you could not have a normal conversation.
Not everyone is feeling well enough to exercise, of course, so whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain without excessive physical efforts.
As expected, obesity is often strongly linked to chronic fibromyalgia. In at least one study, obese individuals also experienced more sensitivity to symptoms of pain. Obese patients with fibromyalgia had less flexibility which increases the chance of disability.
Unfortunately, obesity may also lead to other diseases like heart disease and Type-2 diabetes. Both of these will further complicate treatments for fibromyalgia.
Continued Whole Body Vibration Relieves Fibromyalgia Pain
Most doctors will agree that a primary part of successfully treating fibromyalgia pain is exercise. Whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain with that in mind. Whole body vibration is a gentle and fast way to add exercise to your daily routine.
Exercise assists to control weight and helps lessen the pain symptoms.
A meta-analysis of previous studies regarding if whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) helps chronic musculoskeletal ain concluded, “Evidence suggests positive effects of WBVE on chronic musculoskeletal pain, and long durations of WBVE could be especially beneficial.”
A few highlights from one of our favorite randomized controlled trials research papers include:
“Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by chronic widespread pain, neuroinflammation, nociception-driven amplification of neural signaling (central sensitization), systemic low-grade inflammation, and muscle dysfunction.”
This study was the first to measure the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the blood after engaging in whole body vibration therapy. It tested specifically to determine the functional and clinical outcomes in patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
Is WBV therapy safe for fibromyalgia patients?
Concerning exercises on the vibrating platform, a review work pointed out that whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises are safe, viable, and well tolerated by patients with chronic conditions including FMS and are less tiring and time-consuming than a standard exercise protocol.”
Finally, while trying to determine if whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain, the researchers came to this very strong conclusion:
“Our data together are clinically relevant demonstrating the efficacy of WBVT maintaining blood BDNF levels with concomitant improvement in aspects related to biological rhythm (i.e., quality of sleep and depression symptoms).
In addition, our data reinforced the WBVT effectiveness in reducing pain intensity and improving lower limb muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and quality of life in women with FMS.”
In summary, if you are suffering from the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome, you may want to consult your medical professional about starting whole body vibration training. There is clear evidence that whole body vibration relieves fibromyalgia pain for many individuals.