{"id":14400,"date":"2025-09-13T19:19:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/14400\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T19:19:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:19:09","slug":"vibration-plates-for-back-pain-heres-what-the-science-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/14400\/","title":{"rendered":"Vibration Plates for Back Pain? Here\u2019s What the Science Says"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quivering on a vibration plate<\/a>\u2014a wobbly board that shimmies your whole body when you stand on it\u2014is 2025\u2019s answer to the Shake Weight of the early aughts (minus the sexy innuendo). Instead of can\u2019t-look-away infomercials, there are viral TikToks<\/a> with users claiming that the devices can, like the once-buzzy weights, give your muscles more of a workout, allegedly burning more calories and aiding weight loss. These claims aren\u2019t backed by research\u2014but unlike its shakeable predecessor, the platforms may have other benefits.<\/p>\n

While similar devices have long been used in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings to boost balance in people with neurological conditions, as well as strength and bone density in older folks who can\u2019t do traditional exercise, emerging evidence suggests vibration plates can also help alleviate chronic nonspecific low back pain.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the kind of back pain that \u201clingers as stiffness or mild discomfort rather than a clear injury,\u201d Jake Meyer, PT, DPT<\/a>, physical therapist at WAVE Physical Therapy<\/a>, in Cincinnati, tells SELF. There\u2019s no evidence, however, that whole-body vibration can help with the myriad other types of back pain springing from underlying conditions or injuries, like a herniated disc, acute trauma (for instance, from a fall or car accident), and spinal cord issues. Far from helping, shaking your body could worsen these problems, so check with your doctor first if you don\u2019t know the source of your back pain, or it\u2019s severe or sudden, Marissa McCay, MD<\/a>, sports medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian The One\/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, tells SELF.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re dealing with run-of-the-mill achiness? Read on to learn how a vibration plate might help you wiggle your way to some relief, and what to know before hopping on one of these trendy devices.<\/p>\n

How a vibration plate might help with chronic back pain<\/p>\n

A couple recent research<\/a> reviews<\/a> suggest whole-body vibration may help alleviate not just pain, but also problems with daily functioning, balance, and proprioception (a.k.a. awareness of your body\u2019s position in space) in folks with chronic nonspecific low back pain. (And research<\/a> suggests that in this group of people, there aren\u2019t any side effects to it.)<\/p>\n

As for how? The continuous wiggle causes your muscles to contract and relax quickly and repeatedly, Dr. McCay explains, so \u201cover time, it can strengthen your core, including both your abs and back extensors, which may help reduce pressure on certain areas of your back.\u201d It\u2019s also possible that the light, full-body movement created by these machines might help loosen tense muscles, improve circulation, and reduce stiffness, \u201cgiving a sensation similar to a gentle massage,\u201d Dr. Meyer points out.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the reason Dr. McCay highlights vibration plates as a good option for folks dealing with mild back soreness, like from sitting at a desk for hours or sleeping in an awkward position. You\u2019ll also likely benefit if your back pain comes from muscle tightness or imbalance, which are common culprits for random aches, Jacob Calcei, MD<\/a>, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at University Hospitals, in Cleveland, tells SELF.<\/p>\n

What to know if you\u2019re considering a vibration plate for back pain<\/p>\n

The main risk is self-treating your back pain without realizing it\u2019s caused by an underlying condition, Dr. McCay says. So if you haven\u2019t yet, see a doctor to ensure your pain falls in the nonspecific bucket. That\u2019s especially important if the pain is sharp, severe, or radiates down one leg \u201clike a zap of lightning,\u201d Dr. Calcei says. Same goes if it\u2019s accompanied by other new-to-you symptoms\u2014like numbness, weakness, tingling, fever, weight loss, or issues with bowel or bladder function, all of which can point to conditions that require medical care.<\/p>\n