Does Vibration Therapy for Anxiety Work?

If you experience chronic anxiety, you’ve probably experimented with different physical coping mechanisms for your symptoms. Stimulating your senses in certain ways can help calm your nerves, making tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, and essential oil diffusers helpful for managing anxiety. 

Vibration therapy takes this concept to the next level by using physical vibrations at specific frequencies to release dopamine, lower stress levels, and reduce anxiety.

It may be hard to believe that something as simple as vibration can improve your mental health. However, these vibrating frequencies are actually backed by science, triggering chemical responses throughout your body that can help fight back against anxiety and chronic stress. This means that with at-home vibration plates, you can use vibration therapy as a quick, convenient way to feel less anxious in your day-to-day life.

Let’s break down the science behind vibration therapy and discuss how these innovative devices work. 

The Science Behind Vibration Therapy

Vibration therapy can activate multiple physical and chemical responses. The three main ways that vibration can help impact your body and brain to reduce anxiety symptoms are:

• Physically stimulating your muscles, encouraging them to relax
• Reducing cortisol, the stress hormone
• Increasing positive hormones, such as dopamine

Let’s take a deeper dive into each.

When you touch a vibrating object, your muscles contract and relax in response to the rapid movement.¹ These muscle contractions can regulate your nervous system and help you feel more relaxed overall, alleviating some physical symptoms of anxiety like muscle tension, headaches, and restlessness. What’s more, by standing on a vibration platform, you can experience whole body vibration benefits.

Additionally, the subtle massaging feeling that high-frequency mechanical vibrations offer has been shown to increase dopamine² and decrease cortisol,³ similar to a traditional massage. As a result, you can experience a boost in your mood that combats anxious feelings, and these effects can last long after your vibration therapy session ends! This makes vibration treatment a valuable tool for fighting anxiousness in the moment and preventing chronic, day-to-day anxiety.

Alongside these mental health benefits, the increased blood flow and stimulation from vibration therapy have been shown to help¹:

• Promote bone density
• Support weight loss
• Boost flexibility
• Enhance the appearance of the skin  

Learn more about the benefits of vibration plates in our blog.

Benefits of Vibration Therapy for Mental Health

As mentioned, vibration therapy offers more than just a short-term distraction from your anxiety symptoms; it can also provide a meaningful boost to your overall mental health. Even if you’re using vibration to target a specific issue, such as stress, you’ll likely experience additional benefits for your mood and emotional well-being. 

Impact on Anxiety

Interestingly, vibration can mimic naturally relaxing sensations, like the sound of rain or a cat purring, to promote calmness and ease. 

In one study on vibration, 70% of participants reported that the feel of a vibrating device helped calm them down in the moment. When participants held onto a vibrating device while performing an anxiety-inducing activity, such as public speaking, many also experienced a decrease in their self-reported anxiety levels.⁴

Studies also show that consistent vibration therapy sessions can decrease overall feelings of anxiety in the long term. For instance, one study compared the anxiety levels of two groups of participants: the first completed basic exercises on their own, while the second completed the same exercises while undergoing whole-body vibration therapy. After completing two sessions per week for four weeks, the vibration group reported having significantly less anxiety than the group that exercised without vibration support.⁵

Additional Mental Health Benefits

It’s extremely common for people who experience anxiety to also deal with other mental health challenges. Luckily, you can use vibration therapy to target multiple aspects of your mental and emotional well-being. 

Case in point: the same study that found a decrease in anxiety after vibration therapy also uncovered a decrease in feelings of depression and stress, combined with an overall increase in the participants’ quality of life.⁵

Ultimately, by stimulating a stress-reducing activity like exercise and boosting positive hormones in the brain, vibration can help you cope with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue.

How to Use Vibration Therapy for Anxiety

Ready to see how vibration therapy can transform your mental health? Let’s begin by exploring how to incorporate vibration devices into your regular routine. 

Choosing the Right Device

Effective vibration therapy starts with choosing a device that works for you. Vibration plates that you can stand and sit on are the go-to option for full-body vibration therapy, but they can come with different designs and features. 

Consider these factors when picking out a vibration plate for your home:

• Size: Compare the surface area of the vibration plate to the available space in your home to ensure you have enough room to comfortably stand, move, and exercise.

• Weight limit: Make sure that your chosen device can support your weight.

• Vibration options: Vibration plates can feature different vibration styles, such as oscillating and pulsing vibrations, along with varying speed settings.

• Training support: Some advanced vibration plates will offer specialized training settings to help you target different physical and mental health goals.

• Warranty coverage: Consider looking for devices with extended or lifetime warranties to ensure that you’re making a reliable long-term investment in your physical and mental well-being.

Along with these main characteristics, be on the lookout for upgrades that can enhance your vibrational therapy experience. For example, some models offer extra-quiet vibrations, integrated Bluetooth speakers, or handheld remotes for added convenience.

Setting Up Your Vibration Therapy Session

Once you’ve selected your vibration therapy device, it’s time to start reaping the benefits. Here’s how:

• Wear comfortable clothes: Put on activewear that you’re comfortable moving around in and sweating in.

• Find the right location: Set up your device in a secure place where you have enough space to perform various movements. 

• Test out the settings: Play with the different modes and vibration styles on your device to find an option that feels good to you.

• Maintain good posture: Adopt a stable position that you’ll be comfortable in for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, and maintain proper posture. If standing, bend your knees slightly to promote circulation and comfortably absorb the vibrating frequencies.

• Add in exercises: Vibration therapy is most effective when combined with physical activity. Try out low-impact exercises like squatting or holding a plank position. Learn about vibration plate exercises for arms in our blog.

• Set a timer: Consistency is key when it comes to getting mental health benefits from your vibration device, so set a timer to make sure you’re keeping to your schedule.

Best Practices for Effective Results

Additionally, to get the most out of your vibration therapy regimen, try applying these best practices:

• Aim for three or four sessions per week: To get long-term results, you should make time for regular sessions. Using vibration plates three or four times a week should allow for consistent stimulation while also giving your body time to rest.

• Use your plates for at least 15 minutes each session: Vibration therapy is most effective in 15 to 30-minute sessions. Try starting at 15 minutes, and working your way up over time.

• Start small: Experiencing full-body vibrations for extended periods is probably going to be a new sensation for you. For this reason, it’s best to start out with a gentle speed, then slowly work your way up. 

• Pay attention to your body: Vibration therapy should be a relaxing, endorphin-boosting experience. If you’re feeling major discomfort, lower the frequency or duration.

• Track your progress: Stay motivated by using a journal to track your mood and feelings of anxiety. This can help you recognize your growth and improvement over time, encouraging you to continue to prioritize anxiety management through vibration therapy.

Integrating Vibration Therapy into Your Wellness Routine

Vibration therapy is a great tool for addressing anxiety, but you can multiply its effects by combining it with a holistic wellness regimen. In fact, you may be able to decrease depression, improve your mood, and invest in your long-term well-being by using vibration therapy in tandem with other positive habits and coping mechanisms. 

Ensuring a Daily Practice for Anxiety Management

Starting vibration therapy involves adding a new step to your daily or weekly routine. It can be challenging to adjust to change, even when it has proven benefits, so it’s important to set up a realistic plan that works with your existing schedule. 

Establish a regular time for your sessions so you can get into a comfortable routine. For example, you might use your vibration plates after work to de-stress from the day, or in the morning to start your day off on the right foot.

Combining Vibration Therapy with Other Treatments

Although vibration therapy is commonly paired with exercise, you can also combine it with other anxiety management techniques and tools. For example, you can put on relaxing music or a guided meditation to calm your mind while you enjoy the vibrations. You can also do gentle yoga poses or practice deep breathing for a low-impact way to regulate your nervous system when you’re feeling anxious.

Choose Lifepro Vibration Plates for Anxiety Management

Experiencing anxiety doesn’t have to keep you from living your best life. By using a vibration plate as part of a holistic relaxation and wellness routine, you may be able to decrease anxiety and stress, boost positive feelings, and support your physical well-being, too—all from the comfort of home.  

When you’re ready to experience the benefits of vibration therapy for yourself, partner with Lifepro. We offer a range of high-quality vibration therapy devices that you can start using right away. Explore our collection today to get started. 

Sources:

1. Healthline. What Is Vibration Therapy? https://www.healthline.com/health/vibration-therapy. 
2. BYU Tech Transfer. Treating Addiction: Enhancement of Brain Dopamine Levels By Non-Invasive Vibratory Stimulation. https://techtransfer.byu.edu/treating-addiction-enhancement-of-brain-dopamine-levels-by-non-invasive-vibratory-stimulation 
3. National Library of Medicine. Changes in stress hormone levels with the application of vibrations before resistance exercises at different intensities. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616108/
4. News-Medical. Good vibrations could provide a helping hand to people living with social anxiety. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240304/Good-vibrations-could-provide-a-helping-hand-to-people-living-with-social-anxiety.aspx
5. National Library of Medicine. Effect of Whole-body Vibration on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9396709/

Author

Joel Gottehrer

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.