Whole Body Vibration for Osteoporosis

Thank you for the info- making your own is impressive!

Sure I go in today at 2:45 for my eyes. We’ll see after that.

Neuropathy in feet. Can’t walk, My feet have dropped. Building my Strength

Hello @bankston36, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. You may want to read through the posts in the following discussions to learn what other members have shared on neuropathy:

-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Neuropathy & Exercise: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-exercise/

You mentioned you have foot drop. Mayo Clinic has some information you may find helpful here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/foot-drop/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372633

Have you sought treatment or had any treatments for foot drop?

No experience, jmanj, but your question caused me to look into it. There is a unit endorsed by Sara Meeks (who received no compensation). It is sold through marodyne.com LIVMD - Low intensity - and developed in conjunction with NASA for astronauts. The price I could find was $1600 and I don't know if that's current. Subsequently, I started looking at Vibration Exercisers at Amazon. I think I'm going to order one that is lightweight (many are heavy), priced at about $139.00 with a 5 year warranty. It will also work on carpet. Many don't. I don't need it to lose weight, just build bone density. My sense from the reviews is that many people who do not exercise buy these machines to lose weight. Most have a range of 1 - 99 levels of intensity. Some commentators, not on Amazon, said they could possibly cause fractures. I think that's possible for someone who's frail or using a high level of intensity. So I intend to use it on the lowest setting (walking). I just want to run it by the Physical Therapist tomorrow before I order. In the meantime, while I wait for stuff to heat in the microwave or make coffee, I jump up and down, do heel raises, march in place. Walk an hour everyday and just purchased 3 Carol Michaels DVDs - exercises specifically for osteoporosis. Thanks for raising the issue - I didn't know anything about whole body vibration machines.

Please post your therapist’s thoughts about the expensive one & one u want to get. Thanks

Hi happy2bhere, The therapist didn't know much about the vibration plate exercisers, but thought it a good idea for the movement. I went back and looked at the LIVMD. It is lightweight, but does not work on carpeting. It does not come with a remote, and there was no information about a warranty. I sent the company an email, but did not yet get a response. I went back to Amazon and purchased one that is lightweight, can work on carpeting, has a remote and a warranty. I will start out using it at the lowest level, then see how it goes after that. TSC

Hello bunky44, I'm sorry you were diagnosed with osteoporosis. I was too. There's a family history, and I am on prednisone, necessary for an autoimmune disorder. I decided to take Alendronate (Fosamax) for now, but, of course, want to get off it asap. I've been reading the reviews of the Grow Bone System so would appreciate hearing about how you're doing. Bone regenerates slowly, from what I've read, so you may get another scan in a year or two. Based on another comment, I looked into vibration plate exercisers and just ordered one after pouring over the various products and reviews on Amazon. I plan to start slowly at the lowest level. Also, found some good exercise DVDs by Carol Michaels, specifically for osteoporosis. While the steroids will be thinning my bones, at least, I am relatively pain free and can start strength training again. I did manage an hour walk everyday for the year before I was diagnosed, but I guess it wasn't enough. I wish you success with the Grow Bone System.

Hello TSC~
So inspiring to hear of your journey. I commend you on searching out what could work for you. Understanding why we're losing more bone than we're making is the question. From the brief time I've been on the Mayo Clinic Connect thread..what I've gleaned most is the fact that for many who are taking the prescription drugs for osteo are not happy at all with their commitment to these drugs. Peace of mind is kinda left out of the equation...
Sounds like you are seeking ways of emlerolating your current condition in other ways that give you back control and 'ergo', peace of mind...good for you!
I am more than interested in how you feel using the vibration machine. The theory behind it's efficacy makes sense to me. Irritate the bone and it will respond by building more bone! Even with my severe osteoporosis..I'm getting ready to have an implant put in the space where I lost a first molar. I asked the oral surgeon if it was a waste to do this as my bone picture is so poor....but his answer was interesting. Because they 'screw' the implant into the bone...it causes the bone to 'grow' around the implant like it's a real root. Well....if this can work in a few months..showing up on x-rays..then this should mean that if we can safely irritate our bones..that they will respond in kind..and grow more bone density. Using a vibration machine sounds like it could be a useful adjunct to all the other things you're already doing for better bone health. I feel that you could possibly see a difference in your bone density within 6 months of using this machine..and then you'll know if you're being helped by it. Please keep us all posted on your progress...and which one did you decide on buying and why? I'm so excited for you!
I started Grow Bone this morning....besides doing all the other additions to my life style. This does look to be a very good formula. I feel that taking Strontium is a real boon to us as well. This combination seems to have all the bases covered. I also do about 3oz. of Kombucha a day along with many other vitamins and minerals. I'm eating for better bones and a healthier me...not too exciting, but I feel empowered and more in control by living this way.
I am currently using a professional rebounder...I can jog in place for as long as I desire....I used to be quite the runner..so now I can get that same 'feeling' from the rebounder. I understand the G-force behind the wisdom here. I can't always get out and walk...but I can do hand weights and the rebounder everyday.
I'm currently waiting to get an appointment with an Endocrinologist to see about getting more sophisticated testing done. I would like to find out where the weakness is in my system..so I can address that. Seems to me if we're going to make a dent in our bone density and health..we need to know where the leak in our bucket is!
Since the DEXA machine changed in the hospital where I go for testing..there is no comparison to the ones I've gotten in the past.
I will request one in about 8 months. If what I'm doing is making a difference..even a wee bit..it should show up on this more sophisticated machine.
All we can do is try and be better then we were the day before....
hugs.....

Thanks! Great info. You must be pretty confident about the one you got. Hope it works for you. I’ll start my research this weekend. Oh—-did I miss a discussion about insurance coverage? 🙏👍