It is hard to believe that a machine that offers tilting vibration would have such a beneficial effect in exercise and rehabilitation. The new whole body Vibration Machine was recently purchased by the Ohio Valley Manor, and has helped patients and residents of the Manor to make vast improvements in their rehabilitation programs.

According to Melissa Rickey, marketing coordinator at the Ohio Valley Manor, the Manor first received the machine as a trial about a month ago and began using it for rehabilitation programs to help residents and patients to strengthen their legs. The Manor officially purchased the machine last week for $11,900. The machine has a side-to-side tilting, vibrating plate that rocks back and forth to cause the muscles in the legs to contrast and to build up muscle. Continued use of the machine will eventually improve muscle power, strength, and tine, as well as raise an individual’s growth hormone level by 631 percent to aid in repairing damaged tissue.

The machine can also increase blood flow, reduce chronic and acute lower back pain, improve postural reflexes, and will help to slow the progress of Parkinson’s. Exercising using the vibration exercise machine is also less stressful on joints and and help improve leg circulation for people with diabetes, fight osteoporosis, and more.

“You don’t really feel like you’re exercising, because you’re just standing there,” Rickey said. “I was skeptical when we first got it and tried it, but you can really feel it the next day.”

Tara Prater, occupational therapist at the Ohio Valley Manor, said the machine has really helped a lot of patients to get back on their feet after an accident or surgery. While the machine has not been in use for very long at the Manor, Prater said that the residents who do use it have noticed a major difference.

“We have one resident who had a knee replacement and had a lot of scar tissue built up because of it,” Prater said. “It actually helped to break up some of the scar tissue and got her walking again.”

The Maxuvibe also has numerous settings and routines that it can use for different exercises, and can be used for standard exercise as well as rehabilitation. Ohio Valley Manor patient Erma Spiller, who had back surgery that caused the muscles in the front of her legs to stop working, said the machine has helped her to be able to walk with the aid of a cane. Spiller uses the machine three times a week.

“It’s great,” Spiller said. “It’s helped get stimulation in my legs.”

By BRYAN PECK
Associate editor