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Do Vibration Plates Help Restless Leg Syndrome?
It’s been a long day. You pull back the covers and tumble into the cozy sheets, ready for a relaxing night of Zs. But before you can doze off, your legs start buzzing and barking, urging you toget up and move.
Sound familiar? Anyone who suffers from restless leg syndrome, a neurological disorder that triggers incessant leg discomfort, can relate.1 While medication may help, many restless leggers find themselves searching for relief beyond traditional treatment.
As they explore, many encounter whole body vibration (WBV) and wonder: do vibration plates help restless leg syndrome? They do, and in a variety of ways. Let’s explore how to use vibration to chill out fidgety limbs and clear the path to relaxation.
Restless Leg Syndrome: The Symptoms and Causes
You’d think such a strange sensation must have a clear cause, but unfortunately, the root of restless leg syndrome (RLS) remains shrouded in mystery.
Some researchers speculate that the ailment stems from uneven dopamine levels in the brain. Since dopamine helps transmit messages to the muscles,1 it’s definitely a candidate. But so far, no definitive link has emerged. Other doctors suspect genetics to be at work, as RLS tends to run in families.
Regardless of the cause, RLS triggers a variety of troublesome symptoms, including1:
- Leg discomfort while at rest (often described as a “creepy crawly” sensation)
- Relief when moving
- Aggravated symptoms in the evening
- Nocturnal leg limb twitching (kicking or jerking while asleep)
It’s common for symptom severity to ebb and flow, often for no discernible reason. Individuals with diseases like Parkinson’s or conditions like iron deficiency face an elevated risk of developing RLS.
So, now that we’ve covered the situation, let’s talk solutions.
Turbo 3D Vibration Plate
Rumblex Pro Vibration Plate
Rhythm Vibration Plate
Hovert 3D Vibration Plate
Vibration Plates: How Do They Work?
First off, what is whole body vibration and how does it benefit your health? Vibration therapy infuses steady oscillations into your body, usually by means of a vibration plate (a small disc large enough to stand on).
As these vibrations course through your tissue and bones, they:
- Boost circulation
- Loosen tight muscles
- Shorten recovery time
- Improve bone density2
With these vibration plate benefits, they have garnered an enthusiastic following in recent years. While they show enormous promise in multiple areas, they seem especially adept at alleviating the frustrating symptoms of RLS.
Vibration Plates and RLS: Research Findings
Now, the science—what does it have to say on the subject? Quite a bit, as it turns out. A 2016 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine put a group of eleven RLS patients through two weeks of vibration therapy and two weeks of placebo therapy.
When charting symptom severity, the researchers found that patients reported significant decreases in RLS post-vibration therapy as compared to the placebo.3 They also found that vibration plates elevated “skin blood flow,” a factor linked with RLS symptom relief.
Another study examined the effects of whole body vibration on RLS patients simultaneously undergoing “hemodialysis” (a common treatment for kidney disorders).4 Patients in this study also reported noticeable relief from their RLS symptoms post-vibration therapy.
With some solid scientific backing, it’s unsurprising to see vibration plates for restless leg syndrome stepping into the spotlight.
How Vibration Plates Help Restless Leg Syndrome
So, we’ve seen that vibration can help with symptom relief—but how? After all, it might seem a bit strange that adding further vibrations to the already squirmy sensation would provide relief!
Well, stranger things have happened. Let’s jump into the benefits.
Increased Blood Flow
Although the mechanisms that drive restless leg syndrome remain mysterious, some researchers suspect that vascular issues are to blame:
- Low blood flow to the legs may trigger the unpleasant symptoms associated with RLS.
- Damaged blood vessels (stemming from issues like diabetes and peripheral artery disease) can also impede circulation to the limbs.5
Most RLS patients report intensified symptoms when sitting still for long periods. This makes sense: sitting hinders circulation.
Fortunately, vibration plates excel at stimulating circulation and invite blood to flow toward restless legs and grant relief.
Nitric Oxide Release
Another factor that impacts circulation: nitrous oxide release. Nitrous oxide (NO) serves as a potent vasodilator (meaning it helps blood vessels expand).6 Since ample blood flow helps put restless legs at ease, raising NO levels should be a top priority for RLS sufferers.
Whole body vibration has shown a strong correlation with elevated nitrous oxide in the bloodstream.6 Combined with its baseline circulation support, this represents a double whammy for soothing RLS.
Plus, nitrous oxide release has also shown the ability to:
- Enhance heart health
- Boost exercise endurance
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve lung function
Using whole body vibration to help with RLS may also deliver a host of other health benefits. Since organ systems work in tandem, overall health may improve and form a positive feedback loop that ultimately offers further improvements. Learn more about whole body vibration benefits in our blog.
Dopamine Release
If there’s one neurotransmitter you’ve heard of, it’s probably dopamine. Known for its “feel good” vibes, dopamine also serves as a key ingredient in7:
- Memory formation
- Mood regulation
- Learning
- Focus
Most importantly (for our purposes), dopamine serves as a critical delivery system for messages between the brain and the muscles.1 When you experience diminished dopamine levels, movement grows more difficult.
While depleted dopamine alone won’t necessarily trigger restless leg syndrome, it sure makes it worse. Dopamine levels naturally decline as the day winds down, which helps explain the worsening symptoms RLS sufferers report in the evening.8
When it comes to RLS symptoms, disrupted sleep might have the largest impact on day-to-day well-being.
Since whole body vibration kickstarts dopamine release, it serves as a powerful tool to combat sundown RLS.9 Additionally, elevated dopamine boosts overall mood and stamina, which can work wonders in its own right.
What People Are Saying: Additional Vibration Plate Benefits
Whole body vibration is rapidly rising in prominence, thanks to the buzz surrounding its many benefits. In addition to soothing restless legs, vibe plate enthusiasts often report:
- Strengthened muscles – Steady vibrations activate more muscle fibers than standard exercise, enhancing the benefits of exertion. Studies have found this produces significant strength gains over time.10 If you’re curious, try out some vibration plate exercises for arms.
- Boosted bone density – As we age, our bones lose density, leading to easier fractures.11 Whole body vibration, by enhancing blood flow to bones, encourages regeneration and fresh growth.12
- Enhanced flexibility – Stiff joints make life a drag (especially if you’re already suffering from RLS). Whole body vibration shows a strong correlation with improved flexibility, leading to superior mobility and joint health.13
- Heightened metabolism – Working out already taxes your metabolism. But adding WBV to the equation raises the metabolic cost of physical exertion.14 Since obesity aggravates RLS, a faster metabolism can help keep the pounds off and alleviate RLS symptoms.15
Overall health results from the interplay of various factors. While RLS might serve as your main adversary, additional concerns (like obesity or arthritic joints) may worsen your symptoms. WBV offers a convenient and painless way to directly combat restless leg syndrome and improve ambient health conditions.
Considerations When Choosing a Vibration Plate
Ready to level up your life with some whole body vibration? Excellent. Before choosing a vibration plate, you’ll want to take stock of your lifestyle and needs. Make sure to think about:
- Your space – How much extra room do you have? For limited living space, consider going with a compact option, like the Lifepro Waver Mini Vibration Plate.
- Your physical condition – Do you already struggle with balance or mobility? Take advantage of the Rhythm Vibration Plate’s built-in support handles.
- Your goals – Perhaps you’d like to level up your fitness in addition to counteracting RLS. Take advantage of the Rumblex Plus 4D Vibration Plate’s customizable exercise modes.
While it might be tempting to jump right in and start using your vibration plate daily, a slow and steady introduction offers a better opportunity to assess the effects and impact. Feel free to gradually increase your usage over time.
Before committing to WBV, you should also double-check that it’s safe to do so. Read up on who cannot use vibration plates:
- People who suffer from heart conditions
- Those with recent injuries
- Pregnant women
- Small children
- Anyone with medical implants (i.e., pacemakers)
As with any new health or fitness regimen, be sure to check in with your doctor before getting started.
Discover Relief with Lifepro Vibration Plates
If you battle restless leg syndrome, an uninterrupted night’s sleep or a peaceful rest on the couch might seem like a fantasy. But you can make it a reality: incorporate the healing powers of whole body vibration into your health routine.
By enhancing circulation, boosting your dopamine levels, and sparking nitrous oxide release, vibration plates introduce a dose of tranquility to fidgety limbs. Plus, by enhancing your overall health and mobility, vibration plates create a positive cycle of improvement.
At Lifepro, we believe in the power of community to revitalize flagging health and jumpstart fitness journeys. We design our cutting-edge fitness tools to serve as your daily partners in the climb toward glowing health. Discover our vibration plates and wellness equipment today!
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic. Restless Leg Syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168
- Healthline. Should You Use a Vibration Plate for Osteoporosis? https://www.healthline.com/health/vibration-plate-for-osteoporosis
- Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Decreased Symptoms without Augmented Skin Blood Flow in Subjects with RLS/WED after Vibration Treatment. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.5920
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemodialysis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/hemodialysis
- The Heart House. Restless Leg Syndrome. https://www.hearthousenj.com/conditions/peripheral-vascular/restless-leg-sy ndrome
- National Library of Medicine. Effect of whole body vibration on skin blood flow and nitric oxide production.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24876449/
- Health Direct. Dopamine. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dopamine
- National Health Service. Causes-restless leg syndrome. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/causes/
- MDPI. Effects of a Single Session of Whole Body Vibration Compared to Multiple Sessions—An Updated Review and Meta-Analysis. https://www.mdpi.com/2571-631X/6/4/55
- National Library of Medicine. Effects of vibration therapy on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical function in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32963629/
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Osteoporosis: What You Need to Know As You Age. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-what-you-need-to-know-as-you-age
- Science Direct. Systematic review and meta-analyses on the effects of whole-body vibration on bone health. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229922000139
- National Library of Medicine. Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Flexibility and Stiffness: A Literature Review.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6533098/
- National Library of Medicine. Metabolic effect of bodyweight whole-body vibration in a 20-min exercise session: A crossover study using verified vibration stimulus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5792008/
- National Library of Medicine. Obesity and restless legs syndrome in men and women. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2677487/
