Whole Body Vibration
Whole Body Vibration Therapy
Using evidence-informed vibration therapy to support strength, balance, posture and functional movement in children with neurological and developmental conditions.
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) Therapy uses a specialist vibration platform to deliver gentle mechanical vibrations through the body while your child performs carefully selected positions or exercises.
At Children's Physio Dorset, Whole Body Vibration Therapy is never used in isolation. Instead, it forms part of an individualised physiotherapy programme designed around your child's specific goals.
When appropriate, it can be an excellent way of preparing the body for movement practice and enhancing active rehabilitation.
How Does It Work?
The vibration platform produces small, rapid movements that stimulate muscles and sensory receptors throughout the body.
This encourages automatic muscle activation while providing additional sensory input, allowing children to practise posture, balance and movement in a motivating and engaging way.
Sessions are carefully supervised, with vibration settings individually selected according to each child's age, diagnosis and treatment goals.
Potential Benefits
- Improves muscle activation
- Supports postural control
- Develops balance and stability
- Improves weight-bearing
- May increase bone loading during standing activities
- Supports lower limb strength
- Encourages functional movement
- Provides valuable sensory input
- Can improve tolerance for standing programmes
- Offers a fun and motivating treatment experience
Who May Benefit?
Whole Body Vibration Therapy may be appropriate for children with:
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delay
- Genetic conditions
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Reduced strength or endurance
- Children working towards standing or walking goals
How We Use Whole Body Vibration
Whole Body Vibration is incorporated into physiotherapy sessions where appropriate and is always combined with active rehabilitation.
Depending on your child's goals, it may be used alongside:
- Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
- Standing and balance activities
- Walking practice
- Functional strengthening
- Electrical stimulation
- NeuroSuit Therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Intensive therapy programmes
The aim is always to maximise your child's ability to participate actively in therapy rather than simply standing on the platform.
Our Specialist Approach
Whole Body Vibration is one of many treatment options available at Children's Physio Dorset.
Rather than applying the same approach to every child, we carefully assess whether vibration therapy is appropriate and incorporate it only when we believe it will help your child achieve their individual goals.
It is one part of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme that may also include Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), electrical stimulation, NeuroSuit Therapy, hydrotherapy, strengthening and functional movement training.
Interested in Finding Out More?
If you would like to discuss whether Whole Body Vibration Therapy may benefit your child, please get in touch.
Following an assessment, we can advise whether it would be a useful addition to your child's physiotherapy programme.
