I’m not sure if what we call Heaven is real or not, but if it is, one thing is certain: massage chairs will be there.
Ever since I first came across one in a mall, I have never been able to resist sitting on massage chairs each time I pass one by. While idly resting on one is comfortable on its own, turning it on and feeling the miracles it works on your body is another sensation in and of itself.
The whole body vibration specifically is what makes the experience so enjoyable for many, and up until now, I was never able to understand why.
Most massage chairs use a variety of vibration motors, gears, and rollers in conjunction with one another to provide the relaxing sensation they do. They are especially effective when it comes to aiding in post workout recovery as they help the body calm down from an adrenaline boost by shifting the parasympathetic nervous system into a more relaxed state1.
But what makes vibration itself so potent?
Localized vibration at certain frequencies can cause muscles in the area to rapidly contract and relax; according to research this is what increases blood flow, flexibility, and prevents delayed onset muscle soreness2.
Vibration has also been shown to reduce pain by targeting tight sore muscles and trigger points such as tender lumps in muscles. Furthermore, repeated applications of 100 Hz massages to the distal quadriceps can produce a significant reduction of the symptoms felt by those who have osteoarthritis in their knees3.
In addition to this, research on vibration therapy has shown that high frequency vibrations can aid in cell differentiation, the process in which dividing cells change their functional type. This can help in creating osteoblasts- the cells that lay down new bone during skeletal development and remodeling4,5.
As you can see, the comfort massage chairs bring are just a gateway into the different benefits vibration therapy can bring to your body.
However, it doesn’t stop here.
So far, we’ve only been talking about comfort and the alleviation of pain using vibration, but that’s not all there is; another possibility offered by vibrational therapeutics is rehabilitation.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off, resulting in the organ lacking sufficient oxygen. This can lead to permanent brain damage and even death if not treated quickly.
Unfortunately, many stroke survivors end up with a long term disability such as impaired speech, restricted physical abilities, or paralysis on a certain side of their body.
However, recent developments in vibrotactile technology show promise in offering a solution to such ailments.
A research study conducted in 2021 investigated the viability of using a wearable stimulation device as a way to bring back hand function in disabled stroke survivors.
Sixteen chronic stroke survivors who had diminished movement and tactile perception in their affected hand participated were given a wearable device to use at home for three hours daily over the course of eight weeks.
Some participants were given a device known as the VTS glove, whereas other participants were given the same glove without the vibration feature.
The vibrations in the VTS glove were targeted towards stimulating the Pacinian corpuscles, which are responsible for proprioception- the body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location7.
By the end of the study, it was shown that the group using the VTS glove with the vibration feature showed increased voluntary finger flexion as well as increased elbow and shoulder range of motion6.
While the positive effects of vibration on the human body are undeniable, it is also critical to look at the side effects of overexposure.
Whole body vibration has been shown to cause fatigue, stomach problems, and vertigo in some people shortly after subjection.
Furthermore, studies have shown that bus and truck-drivers who have repeatedly experienced whole body vibration for years end up suffering from ailments such as circulatory, bowel, respiratory, muscular and back disorders.
Workers who are required to use hand held vibrating tools have been known to develop a condition known as Vibration-induced White Finger (VWF) where blood vessels in the hands become damaged, resulting in numbness, weakness, and loss of fine motor skills.
Given how vibration can cause changes in muscles, tendons, bones, joints, and can ultimately affect the nervous system, disorders such as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome(HAVS) can develop. Symptoms can include tingling and loss of sensation in fingers, loss of grip strength, and bone cysts in fingers and wrists8.
Vibration can certainly have its fair share of negative impacts on your body, but that is only if you are subject to overexposure. It is important to regulate the amount of anything your body receives, and vibration, regardless of all its useful effects, should be used in moderation.
With all the benefits vibration has shown to have on the body, it’s no wonder why I fell in love with massage chairs.
Ranging from providing pain relief, to aiding in muscle recovery, and even facilitating rehabilitation, the scope of vibration therapy is ever-evolving and I for one am excited to see how it progresses into medical advancements.
