Understanding Whole Body Vibration
At South West Kids Clinic, we offer whole body vibration therapy as part of our comprehensive approach to paediatric rehabilitation. This innovative therapeutic technique is safe and noninvasive and treats various conditions, such as neurological disorders or injuries. It vibrates your whole body. When a child stands, sits, or lies on a vibrating platform or device, the vibrations cause the muscles to contract and relax.
This stimulation helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination while enhancing balance, circulation, and proprioception (awareness of body position in space). The gentle oscillations generated by the vibration therapy device can be adjusted to suit each child’s unique needs and therapeutic goals.
Many children find it fun and engaging, which can help motivate them during their rehabilitation process. Plus, whole body vibration is adaptable to each child’s needs and goals, making it a versatile and effective treatment option in Paediatric Physiotherapy.
What Conditions Does Whole Body Vibration Therapy Support
Whole Body Vibration is a therapeutic approach that may be incorporated into treatment plans for orthopaedic and neurological conditions. These conditions include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Motor disorders are linked to neuromuscular, genetic, metabolic, and rare diseases.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Muscular Dystrophy.
How is Whole Body Vibration Implemented in a Session?
Following a thorough assessment, an appropriate whole-body vibration protocol would be designed. During the session, the child would be positioned on a specialised platform or device capable of generating controlled vibrations. The vibrations’ intensity, frequency, and duration would be carefully adjusted to suit the child’s condition and tolerance levels. The child’s safety and comfort would be closely monitored throughout the session.
The session may involve various exercises and activities on the vibrating platform, such as weight-bearing, stretching, or simple movements. The vibrations create mechanical stimuli that elicit muscle contractions and sensory feedback, leading to potential therapeutic benefits.
The therapy session would be accompanied by ongoing assessment and progress monitoring to ensure the child’s response to the treatment and to make necessary adjustments to the protocol as needed. Additionally, the therapist would provide a supportive and engaging environment to keep the child motivated and to optimise the therapy sessions’ outcomes.
Benefits of Whole body vibration
Whole body vibration therapy offers a range of significant benefits for children undergoing rehabilitation:
Improved Muscle Strength and Tone
Whole body vibration stimulates muscle contractions throughout the body, improving muscle strength and tone.
Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion
Whole body vibration therapy can enhance flexibility and improve joint range of motion by promoting muscle relaxation and increasing muscle flow.
Increased Circulation and Blood Flow
The rhythmic vibrations produced during whole body vibration therapy help improve blood circulation. This enhanced blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues, promoting healing and recovery.
Enhanced Balance and Coordination
Whole body vibration therapy challenges the body’s balance and proprioception, improving balance and coordination.
Improved Bone Density and Bone Health
The mechanical stress placed on the bones during whole body vibration therapy can stimulate bone remodelling and increase bone density.
Reduced Spasticity and Muscle Stiffness
Whole body vibration therapy has been shown to reduce muscle spasticity and stiffness in children with conditions such as cerebral palsy or spastic diplegia.
Enhanced Overall Mobility and Functional Abilities
Whole-body vibration therapy can improve overall mobility and functional abilities in children with developmental and physical challenges by addressing muscle strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and bone health.
Is whole body vibration therapy safe for children?
Whole body vibration therapy is generally considered safe for children when performed under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.
Can whole body vibration therapy be combined with other treatments or therapies?
Whole body vibration therapy can often be used with other treatments or therapies as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.
