Vibration therapy

Vibration therapy involves standing, sitting or lying on a machine with a vibrating platform. The machine sends vibrations through your body. These vibrations work in the same way as exercise where the muscles pull on bones. This gives bones work to do which helps to keep them strong. 

There are two types of vibration therapy - whole body vibration (WBV) and low intensity vibration (LIV). 

Vibration therapy is not routinely available on the NHS. But you may see machines in gyms, physiotherapy services or even in homes. 

Research has not proven if vibration therapy can help make bones stronger. But it may help to reduce the risk of falls, which can lead to fractures (broken bones). 

What is vibration therapy? 

Vibration therapy uses mechanical vibrations to contract and relax the muscles in the body. Vibrations pass through your body while you stand, sit or lie on a machine. 

It is not routinely available on the NHS. But it is used in gyms, physiotherapy services and even at home. This is because it may improve muscle strength and balance (see page 2). 

Vibration therapy is not the same as slimming vibration machines. These are often belts or bands placed around your middle (waist) for weight loss and muscle toning. 

How does vibration therapy work? 

Exercise is good for bones. When you exercise, your muscles pull on your bones and gives them work to do. This work helps to make your bones stronger.

Vibration therapy is like exercise. It aims to stimulate the same response in your muscles. As the machine vibrates, it sends energy through your body. This causes your muscles to tense and relax (contract).

The intensity of the vibrations can vary. Intensity is created by the height (amplitude) of the vibration. The intensity affects the amount of vibration you feel while you’re on the machine. For example, the higher the intensity, the more vibration you feel.

What types of vibration therapy are there? 

Two types of vibration therapy are available in the UK. These are:

• whole body vibration (WBV)
• low intensity vibration (LIV).

The main difference between whole body vibration and low intensity vibration therapy  is the intensity of the vibrations, or how the vibrations feel. In whole body vibration, the vibrations feel big. But in low intensity vibration, the vibrations feel small and fast.

Whole body vibration (WBV) 

Whole body vibration therapy is delivered to the entire body through a large vibrating platform. These platforms usually have a hand rail to hold for comfort and safety. Whole body vibration machines are most commonly seen in gyms and physiotherapy services. 

Whole body vibration therapy tends to be high intensity. But you can usually adjust the settings on the machine. Some people may be worried that high intensity vibrations could cause injury or pain, especially in people who are less well. But this may not be the case. Research has shown they seem to manage the vibration without any injury or pain. You should be careful when getting on and off the machine.

Whole body vibration is not suitable for everyone. It will not be suitable if you:

• have any current or recent blood clots 
• have a condition that affects your heart or blood vessels (heart attacks or strokes)
• have a pacemaker
• are pregnant
• suffer with dizziness or inner ear problems
• have had a joint replacement such as in your hip or knee
• have cochlear implants (surgically fitted hearing aid).

Whole body vibration therapy may also not be suitable if you’ve had spinal fractures or many fractures.

It may be worth talking to a healthcare professional before using a vibration machine to find out if it’s suitable for you.

Low intensity vibration (LIV) 

Low intensity vibration machines look like large bathroom scales and release tiny up and down vibrations, 30 times every second. These vibrations travel through the feet, up the legs and into the hip and lower spine. 

Low intensity vibration therapy is suitable for most people and doesn't appear to cause side effects. You can buy intensity vibration (LIV) plates. These plates can cost between £100 and £3000. 

Can vibration therapy make my bones stronger? 

People often want to know if they can improve their bone health without taking a drug treatment for osteoporosis. But it is not clear if vibration therapy can help make bones stronger and less likely to break. 

Scientists first developed vibration therapy to help astronauts. Astronauts lose bone and muscle when they spend months in space. The scientists found that astronauts could prevent bone loss by standing on lightly vibrating plates for 10 to 20 minutes a day. 

Since its discovery, researchers have looked into vibration therapy. There has not been enough research to be sure of the benefits. Most research has looked at whole body vibration therapy, rather than low intensity vibration therapy. In other words, we don't know a lot about vibration therapy and how it affects bone health. 

We do know whole body vibration therapy may help improve muscle strength and balance. This means it may reduce the risk of falls, which often lead to broken bones. 

Some research has found whole body vibration therapy may help improve bone density. But other studies have found no benefit at all. 

Research also isn't clear if vibration therapy can reduce the risk of broken bones. Most research has looked into the use of vibration therapy in people without osteoporosis. So we can't be certain if vibration therapy can help improve bone density or reduce the risk of broken bones if you have osteoporosis. 

There are other types of exercise you can do to help make your bones stronger.  

Content reviewed: October 2023