Has anyone used the Marodyne device to stimulate bone growth?

Posted by maryeve @maryeve, Aug 21, 2023

You stand on it twice a day for 10 minutes. It gently vibrates and also helps with improving balance. The Marodyne is made in Germany and costs about $3,000. It has not been FDA approved but there are studies in progress.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@ans

Sounds like you’ve put time into looking into this more than some others. I actually have purchased a Marodyne and am using it. I have a positive outlook but I realize it will be difficult to assess its specific value for me as I’m doing lots of other things to assist in making my bone situation better. However, I would be curious to see specific reporting that says NASA didn’t use it, as well as specific reporting that’s more current., as what was sited was from 2001. Several years have past. So , I would be curious to see specific reporting that is more current. It takes years to gather data in some instances. Use of the these vibration platforms , the Marodyne, as just one of many on the market, impacts the trabecular areas of the bone. The spine is very much trabecular in nature and to a lesser extent the femoral neck area of the hip. Remember Bone Strength equals Bone Density plus Bone Quality. For many patients bone quality is as important , or more so in terms of actual fracture risk. As more people begin to get their Trabecular Bone Score in addition to the routine DEXA score , I’ll be curious to see if there’s a shift in the thinking. In the meantime I’d love to get more up to date scientific articles. I have an open mind and am all ears!!!

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I'm where you're at, Ans, I just purchased the Marodyne after considering if for several months. I do worry a bit that I'm allowing myself to be scammed because I'm so afraid to take pharmaceuticals for osteoporosis in my 50s. Even if it aids a bit in keeping scores steady it's worth it to me, compared to all the costs of a broken bone/s. I've changed my diet and am working with a personal trainer so even if scores do stay the same with next scan I would have no exact idea why. I hope there are more studies forthcoming on the Marodyne-LiV and on new treatments for osteoporosis.

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@lamay

I'm where you're at, Ans, I just purchased the Marodyne after considering if for several months. I do worry a bit that I'm allowing myself to be scammed because I'm so afraid to take pharmaceuticals for osteoporosis in my 50s. Even if it aids a bit in keeping scores steady it's worth it to me, compared to all the costs of a broken bone/s. I've changed my diet and am working with a personal trainer so even if scores do stay the same with next scan I would have no exact idea why. I hope there are more studies forthcoming on the Marodyne-LiV and on new treatments for osteoporosis.

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I am very close to purchasing the Marodyne. I am willing to try everything rather than take osteoporosis meds. I think I am a very healthy 71 year old with -4.5 lumbar spine T score. I have added protein powder and collagen to my diet, reduced cafffeine, eliminated alcohol, consulted with a personal trainer, continue to exercise regularly, added more supplements. I am watching the YouTube video with Margaret Martin and Dr. Rubin today. I want this to work and sure hope I will not be scammed.

Edit to say that I just ordered the Marodyne. Because I live in Florida, I am being charged 7% sales tax. GRRR

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@pennykj

I am very close to purchasing the Marodyne. I am willing to try everything rather than take osteoporosis meds. I think I am a very healthy 71 year old with -4.5 lumbar spine T score. I have added protein powder and collagen to my diet, reduced cafffeine, eliminated alcohol, consulted with a personal trainer, continue to exercise regularly, added more supplements. I am watching the YouTube video with Margaret Martin and Dr. Rubin today. I want this to work and sure hope I will not be scammed.

Edit to say that I just ordered the Marodyne. Because I live in Florida, I am being charged 7% sales tax. GRRR

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Haven’t heard of Marodyne. A thought on collagen - the reading and drs I have listened to almost all suggest taking collagen has very little effect as it is broken down during digestion. As I understand it you are better off eating foods that enable your body to build collagen. All the best with the Marodyne. Will be interested in your results.

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@jennifer28

Haven’t heard of Marodyne. A thought on collagen - the reading and drs I have listened to almost all suggest taking collagen has very little effect as it is broken down during digestion. As I understand it you are better off eating foods that enable your body to build collagen. All the best with the Marodyne. Will be interested in your results.

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Has anyone had success with a vibration machine? If so, which machine would you recommend?

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@jennifer28

Haven’t heard of Marodyne. A thought on collagen - the reading and drs I have listened to almost all suggest taking collagen has very little effect as it is broken down during digestion. As I understand it you are better off eating foods that enable your body to build collagen. All the best with the Marodyne. Will be interested in your results.

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Dr. Doug Lucas discusses collagen on YouTube, Supplements for Bone Health. Paraphrasing him, he says the theory is that by ingesting collagen you have more in your body, but that's not the case. The body makes collagen so he suggests eating foods to build collagen, as @jennifer 28 mentions above.

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@spine

Has anyone had success with a vibration machine? If so, which machine would you recommend?

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The vibration machines that reportedly build bone are low intensity vibration like Marodyne LIV and another one, possibly LifePro (I posted about it somewhere else). They cost a few thousand $. Dr. Doug Lucas has a video on YouTube about vibration exercisers. The cheaper ones are high intensity vibration and may do more harm than good for those with weak bones. I had an Elison Bolt and after listening to Margaret Martin's podcast on vibration machines, I gave it away.

My doctor just recommended I get a personal trampoline or rebounder to build my hips up.
On Alendronate, my spine got better, out of osteoporosis, but my hips, a little worse. I had to take prednisone for an autoimmune disease at a pretty high dosage for over a year and a half so that may be responsible.

Dr. Loren Fishman also has a yoga program, "12 Poses vs Osteoporosis" that has been studied and builds bone. The first series is on You Tube.

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@lamay

I'm where you're at, Ans, I just purchased the Marodyne after considering if for several months. I do worry a bit that I'm allowing myself to be scammed because I'm so afraid to take pharmaceuticals for osteoporosis in my 50s. Even if it aids a bit in keeping scores steady it's worth it to me, compared to all the costs of a broken bone/s. I've changed my diet and am working with a personal trainer so even if scores do stay the same with next scan I would have no exact idea why. I hope there are more studies forthcoming on the Marodyne-LiV and on new treatments for osteoporosis.

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I saw it mentioned by Sara Meeks. She is an incredible expert on osteoporosis. She used it..along with her exercises when she found out she had osteoporosis! You can see her really interesting interviews ( I think there are 3) and videos of her exercises on the BOB AND BRAD (physical therapists) YouTube channel. Plus she gives out her contact information and she sends you lots of info for free. She had seminars etc. wonderful resource.
Wishing you much luck!

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@barbakp

I saw it mentioned by Sara Meeks. She is an incredible expert on osteoporosis. She used it..along with her exercises when she found out she had osteoporosis! You can see her really interesting interviews ( I think there are 3) and videos of her exercises on the BOB AND BRAD (physical therapists) YouTube channel. Plus she gives out her contact information and she sends you lots of info for free. She had seminars etc. wonderful resource.
Wishing you much luck!

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Thanks barbakp, I've seen her site and Bob & Brad. And will try to check out her videos. There are so many sites and experts and things to watch and read and research... it's a full time job. Would it be possible to sum up her position or findings on the Marodyne-LiV? Did she ultimately think it was a useful product for her or others?

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@lamay

Thanks barbakp, I've seen her site and Bob & Brad. And will try to check out her videos. There are so many sites and experts and things to watch and read and research... it's a full time job. Would it be possible to sum up her position or findings on the Marodyne-LiV? Did she ultimately think it was a useful product for her or others?

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She used it and, along with exercise, reversed her osteoporosis. She had a random video taken at the developer etc. She does not say “you need this”, but attests that it was part of her routine.
I also researched the k2/D3/magnesium. Important.
Also I added the 100g of prunes which showed bone density after a year. (Thankfully I LOVE them and eat throughout the day..saving some for bedtime!) The study was not finished on 50g daily… but did show that decline had stopped. I get big bags at Costco. The studies are easy to find.
Hope this helps. You are right, a full time job! But there is no one expert…and too many out there with expensive programs and “cures”! It’s exhausting!..thank goodness I love to read! It’s my life now!

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@barbakp

She used it and, along with exercise, reversed her osteoporosis. She had a random video taken at the developer etc. She does not say “you need this”, but attests that it was part of her routine.
I also researched the k2/D3/magnesium. Important.
Also I added the 100g of prunes which showed bone density after a year. (Thankfully I LOVE them and eat throughout the day..saving some for bedtime!) The study was not finished on 50g daily… but did show that decline had stopped. I get big bags at Costco. The studies are easy to find.
Hope this helps. You are right, a full time job! But there is no one expert…and too many out there with expensive programs and “cures”! It’s exhausting!..thank goodness I love to read! It’s my life now!

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Thank you barbakp, that was very helpful!
Agreed on all counts.

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