Overview

Vibration therapy uses vibration to promote health. Vibration can be applied directly to the body with tools or through sound waves.

It's not clear what effects vibration therapy has on the body, but there's interest in its use for increasing bone and muscle mass, improving balance and movement, and reducing pain. Mechanical vibration therapy uses tools to apply vibration. Sound wave vibration therapy (vibroacoustic therapy) uses sound waves.

People use vibration therapy for athletic performance, osteoporosis, anxiety, back pain, fall prevention, multiple sclerosis, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Some types of vibration therapy use sound waves and music. Don't confuse this with music therapy. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Athletic performance. Whole-body mechanical vibration therapy, which delivers vibration with massage tools or other mechanical equipment, doesn't seem to improve athletic performance in athletes.
  • Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Whole-body mechanical vibration therapy, which delivers vibration with massage tools or other mechanical equipment, doesn't improve bone mass in adults with weak and brittle bones.

There is interest in using vibration therapy for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



Mechanical vibration therapy, which delivers vibration with massage tools or other mechanical equipment, is possibly safe when applied appropriately. There isn't enough reliable information to know if vibration therapy that uses low-frequency sounds waves (vibroacoustic therapy) is safe or what the side effects might be. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used short-term.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if vibration therapy is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding or what the side effects might be. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns when used short-term.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Vibration Therapy overview.

Dosing

Vibration therapy can be given as mechanical vibration therapy or sound wave vibration therapy. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out how to use vibration therapy for a specific condition.

Mechanical vibration therapy uses massage tools or other special equipment to apply vibration to the whole body or specific parts of the body. Sessions can be done once or on a weekly or daily basis. They may be self-applied or given by a practitioner.

Sound wave vibration therapy, also known as vibroacoustic or physioacoustic therapy, uses low-frequency sound waves. The vibrations come from speakers that are embedded in equipment like a chair or mattress. Treatments may occur once or multiples times daily for up to 12 weeks.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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