| Looking at recent statistics, the boomer population is | | | | effectiveness of WBV on loss of strength and |
| going to increase by almost 70 percent over the next | | | | flexibility. Dozens of research projects showed that |
| fifteen years. This is the fastest growing population | | | | the "Acceleration/Deceleration" effect of WBV has a |
| segment of our society! The three most common | | | | direct impact on muscular activity and strength, |
| musculo-skeletal ailments afflicting this group are | | | | primarily via the tonic vibration reflex as described in |
| osteoporosis, lack of flexibility and strength, as well as | | | | last month's article. Numerous articles have been |
| balance. In this article, I will show that Whole Body | | | | published on this issue and some researchers have |
| Vibration (WBV) therapy in the chiropractic office | | | | shown as much as 24.4 percent improvement of |
| setting can serve the purpose of attracting and helping | | | | muscular strength development over a twenty four |
| many patients from this demographic. | | | | week time period. This represents far better results |
| Statistically, the most common reason for which elderly | | | | than the control groups who were using traditional |
| patients are checking into assisted living facilities is not | | | | weight training(16 percent). |
| disease or illness it is immobility: All those individuals | | | | It further shows that WBV, and the reflexive muscle |
| have lost the ability to move freely around their home, | | | | contraction it provokes, can induce strength gain in |
| and homes therefore, experience significant difficulties | | | | previously untrained participants to the same extent as |
| in taking care of themselves. | | | | weight training!6 |
| Our profession is in the perfect position to assist this | | | | Thus WBV offers a fast, simple, easy-to- learn and |
| market segment in their quest. There is no doubt that it | | | | safe alternative to going to the gym for the above |
| is the market to be in. | | | | mentioned Baby Boomers. The chiropractor's office is |
| Over the years, probably the largest percentage of | | | | the perfect location to introduce and implement WBV. |
| research about WBV was done about its | | | | With its small space requirements, the units can be |
| effectiveness in the treatment of osteoporosis. Early | | | | placed easily into a doctor's office. Look for units that |
| studies in Russia were dealing with cosmonauts being | | | | supply informational as well as instructional DVD's and |
| subjected to weightlessness in outer space for | | | | materials that will make the training of the staff and |
| prolonged periods of time. The lack of gravity had a | | | | patients easy and hassle free. |
| profoundly diminishing effect on bone density as well | | | | If the usage of WBV on the European continent is any |
| as muscular strength. One of the therapies | | | | indication, it is clear that WBV is here to stay and will |
| implemented was WBV. The results were very | | | | become more and more a treatment modality of |
| favorable. Since then, dozens of researchers in as | | | | choice for many musculo-skeletal problems. Over the |
| many countries have spent years researching the | | | | next years, more research will be done about WBV in |
| effects of WBV as a form of osteoporosis treatment. | | | | the healthcare arena and lead to better protocols and |
| The general consensus is that utilization of WBV in | | | | guidelines. In the meantime, many doctors in the |
| addition to weight-bearing exercise represents the best | | | | healthcare field are already using the beneficial effects |
| non-pharmaceutical treatment of that disorder! | | | | of WBV to assist their patients and getting them to |
| Similar results were achieved when evaluating the | | | | feel better faster. |