safety & science

DO NOT USE VIBRATATION if:
– you have any medical condition that could be worsened by intense vibrations, or are at risk of stroke or heart attack, are pregnant or may be pregnant; or if you have been diagnosed with brain concussion or other serious impact injury that could be made worse by vibrations that would not be harmful to people who haven’t suffered such impact injuries.
– you have any history of detached retina or other serious eye-related problems, have received an intraocular lens implant (possibly this machine is too intense for someone who had LASIK surgery), or are still recovering from any other surgery;
– you experience neck, head or chest pain, severe nausea, severe joint pains, or changes in vision or hearing during use of the machine, stop using VIBRATATION immediately and consult with a medical professional before continuing vibration training.

A popular (but not authoritative) health blog notes some health concerns or disclaimers about whole body vibration tech:
www.livestrong.com/article/273677-risks-of-vibration-training/

In this LiveStrong post, they note people who shouldn’t use body vibration tech:

  • pregnancy concerns
  • retina-detachment, medical history or at-risk factors
  • blood clots or bone tumors

“These people face special risks due to their conditions because of the effects of vibration. Although the vibration levels experienced in training machines may not cause damage, it is true that high levels of vibration of the human body can cause damage to bone and connective tissue, an unwelcome effect for a person suffering from a retinal detachment.”

Oxford Academic, “Risks and benefits of whole body vibration training in older people”
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/38/3/254/16658

“Vibration training may offer some potential musculoskeletal benefits but further research is needed to evaluate the optimum vibration protocol in terms of safety and efficacy in older people, and to evaluate its effectiveness at reducing fall incidence. There is little evidence as to the optimal vibration training protocol in this population and some interventions may be delivering ineffective or unnecessarily large exposures. Vibration can result in detrimental effects and further evidence is needed on the risks and benefits of whole body vibration training in other organ systems.”

PubMed, “Effects of whole body vibration on the skeleton and other organ systems in man and animal models: what we know and what we need to know.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18762281
“Previous investigations reported enhanced osseous parameters subsequent to administration of whole body vibration (WBV). While the efficacy of WBV continues to be explored, scientific inquiries should consider several key factors. Bone remodeling patterns differ according to age and hormonal status. Therefore, WBV protocols should be designed specifically for the subject population investigated. Further, administration of WBV to individuals at greatest risk for osteoporosis may elicit secondary physiological benefits (e.g., improved balance and mobility). Secondly, there is a paucity of data in the literature regarding the physiological modulation of WBV on other organ systems and tissues. Vibration-induced modulation of systemic hormones may provide a mechanism by which skeletal tissue is enhanced. Lastly, the most appropriate frequencies, durations, and amplitudes of vibration necessary for a beneficial response are unknown, and the type of vibratory signal (e.g., sinusoidal) is often not reported.”

Note: the source of VIBRATATION “vibratory signal” is a pure sinusoid, as it is produced by a rotating mass technically called an “Eccentric Rotating Mass vibration motor.”