Table of Contents
Don't worry—you're not alone. And we're here to help you shake off that pesky itch.
This common sensation, often called "vibration-induced pruritus," is typically harmless but can be quite bothersome.
So, let’s explore why your legs may itch after using vibration plate therapy, how to stop the itchiness, and how to prevent this sensation in the future so that you can continue to get the most out of your vibration plate routine.
Why Do My Legs Itch After Using Vibration Plate Therapy?
If you’re asking yourself, “Why do my legs itch after using a vibration plate?,” you're not imagining things. This itchy sensation is a common experience for many vibration plate users.
Let’s take a look at why it may happen:
Freshly Oxygenated Blood Flow
Intense vibrations cause your muscles to contract rapidly, acting like a pump for your circulatory system. This action forces freshly oxygenated blood into areas where circulation was previously sluggish or suppressed.
So, during vibration plate therapy, your cardiovascular system kicks into high gear to meet the increased demands of your muscles. Here's what's happening beneath the surface:
- Capillary dilation – The tiniest blood vessels in your body, capillaries, expand to allow for more blood flow. This expansion increases the surface area for oxygen and nutrient exchange with tissues.1
- Arterial response – Arteries, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from your heart, dilate to accommodate increased blood flow.2 This dilation is triggered by the release of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator.1
- Venous adaptation – Veins, which return blood to your heart, also expand to handle the increased blood volume.3 The muscle contractions from vibration therapy help squeeze veins, aiding in blood return.
- Microcirculation boost –The expansion of blood vessels enhances microcirculation, improving blood flow to areas that might have been underserved.4 This can lead to better nutrient delivery and waste removal at the cellular level.
- Temporary vascular stress – The rapid expansion and contraction of blood vessels can cause temporary stress on the vascular walls.5 This stress, while generally beneficial for vascular health, can contribute to an itchy sensation as nerve endings are stimulated.
Vascular expansion is a key factor in the effectiveness and benefits of vibration plates, contributing to improved circulation, muscle recovery, and overall cardiovascular health. The itchy feeling sensation you may experience is often a temporary side effect of your increased blood flow and this vascular activity.
Heart Rate Increase and Histamine Response
As you engage in high-intensity exercise, your heart rate increases significantly, pumping more blood throughout your body. This surge in circulation, particularly to your legs, can trigger a cascade of events leading to that familiar itch.
One key player in this process is histamine.6 When your blood vessels expand to accommodate increased blood flow, your body releases histamine as part of its natural response. This compound, typically associated with allergic reactions, can also cause itching and mild inflammation.7
Moreover, the rapid muscle contractions induced by the vibration plate can stimulate previously inactive nerve endings. As these nerves suddenly "wake up," they may send signals interpreted as itching or tingling sensations to your brain.
A Rare Allergy: Vibratory Urticaria
While itching after vibration plate therapy is often due to increased blood flow, in rare cases, it may be attributed to a condition called vibratory urticaria. This uncommon allergy causes hives or itching in response to vibration against the skin.8
Vibratory urticaria is a form of physical urticaria, where the immune system overreacts to physical stimuli. In this case, the vibrations from the therapy plate trigger cells in the skin to release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, leading to itching, redness, and sometimes swelling.7
If you consistently experience intense itching or hives after using a vibration plate, it's best to consult an allergist or dermatologist. They can perform specific tests to diagnose vibratory urticaria and recommend appropriate management strategies. For more serious concerns regarding vibration plates, learn more about who cannot use vibration plates in the first place and the risks to consider.
How to Stop Itching from Vibration Plate Training: 4 Tips
With a better understanding of potential causes, let’s now look at four effective tips for how to stop itching from vibration plate use:
- Stick with it – The itching sensation is often a sign that your body is adapting to the new form of exercise. As you continue with regular vibration plate sessions, your body may become accustomed to the stimulation and the itching may subside.
- Start at a lower speed and intensity – Begin your vibration plate journey with lower speed and intensity settings. This gentler approach will allow your body to gradually adjust to the vibrations without overwhelming your nervous system. Lower settings can also help reduce the sudden increase in blood flow and histamine release that can lead to itching.
- Keep your feet closer together – Positioning your feet closer together on the vibration plate can help distribute the vibrations more evenly across your body. This technique can reduce the concentration of vibrations in your legs, potentially minimizing the itching response.
- Gradually advance to higher speeds and intensities – As your body adapts to vibration plate training, slowly increase the speed and intensity of your sessions. This progressive approach will allow your circulatory and nervous systems more time to adjust. Listen to your body and advance at a pace that feels right for you.
By implementing these strategies, you can work toward minimizing the itching sensation and still fully enjoy the benefits of vibration plate training.
Discover the Difference of Lifepro Vibration Plates
Don't let a little initial discomfort stop you from joining the vibration plate revolution. Embrace the future of fitness with Lifepro vibration plates. These innovative devices offer a comprehensive workout solution, combining the benefits of whole-body vibration with user-friendly design.
Whether you're aiming to improve muscle strength, enhance flexibility, or boost circulation, Lifepro has a model to suit your needs. Plus, with adjustable settings and a range of exercise options, you can truly customize your training to achieve optimal results. Learn more about how often to use a vibration plate once you’ve picked out the right one for you!
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. Vasodilation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23352-vasodilation
- Cleveland Clinic. Arteries. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22896-arteries
- Harvard Health. Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/veins-are-a-key-player-in-the-body-heres-why-202311292997
- National Library of Medicine. Microcirculation: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Application. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7114900/
- Healthline. Why Does Vasoconstriction Happen? https://www.healthline.com/health/vasoconstriction
- Cleveland Clinic. What Is a Histamine? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24854-histamine
- National Institutes of Health. NIH scientists discover genetic cause of rare allergy to vibration. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-scientists-discover-genetic-cause-rare-allergy-vibration
- DermNet. Vibratory urticaria. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/vibratory-urticaria
Author
Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.
They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.
