Who Shouldn’t Use Vibration Plates? Can They Be Dangerous For Certain Groups?

Medically reviewed by: David M. Joyner, MD, FACS

Vibration plates are safe for most people, but certain individuals should avoid them or get medical clearance before using one. You should not use a vibration plate without your doctor’s approval if you:

• Are pregnant

• Have a pacemaker or implanted medical device

• Have cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or serious heart conditions

• Have had recent surgery, especially joint replacements or spinal procedures

• Have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots, or clotting disorders

In this article, we’ll cover potential negatives of vibration machines and vibration training, along with the compelling benefits to the use of these popular wellness and fitness devices. 

Who Should Avoid Using a Vibration Plate?

1. Pregnant Woman

During pregnancy, hormonal changes increase joint laxity, circulation patterns shift, and abdominal pressures change. Whole-body vibration can amplify these effects.

Why it may be harmful:

• Increased risk of ligament overstretch due to relaxed joints

• Potential for discomfort or instability on the platform

• Vibration exposure is generally avoided in prenatal care, especially in early pregnancy
  
  

Bottom line: Avoid vibration training unless a prenatal provider confirms it is safe.

2. Individuals With Pacemakers or Implanted Medical Devices

Vibration training may interfere with the function of implanted electronics, including pacemakers, defibrillators, spinal cord stimulators, or deep brain stimulators. Although Power Plate’s vibrations are controlled, mechanical stimulation can still influence how these devices sense movement or electrical signals.

Why it's a risk:

• Risk of improper device sensing or malfunction

• Potential disruption of signal interpretation

Bottom line: Anyone with implanted medical electronics should get explicit clearance from their specialist.

3. Individuals With Serious Cardiovascular Conditions

People with severe heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias, or circulatory disorders need caution. Vibration stimulates neuromuscular systems and increases circulation, which can place additional physiological demand on the heart.

Why it may be harmful:

• Increased circulation may elevate heart workload

• Neuromuscular activation can raise blood pressure

• Potential for dizziness or autonomic response in unstable cardiac patients
  
  

Bottom line: Cardiovascular symptoms must be stable and managed before beginning vibration training and clearance from a cardiovascular specialist should be sought. 

4. Individuals Recovering From Recent Surgery

After surgery, tissues are healing, implants are stabilizing, and inflammation is common. Vibration may disrupt the early healing environment.

Why it may be harmful:

• Risk of stressing healing tissues

• Potential to disrupt sutures or surgical repairs

• Some implants have early-phase vibration restrictions
  
  

Bottom line: Clearance from a surgeon or physical therapist is essential.

5. Those With Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Blood Clotting Disorders

Vibration increases circulation and lymphatic flow, which is normally beneficial, but in individuals with an existing clot, this can be dangerous.

Why it may be harmful:

• Risk of mobilizing a clot

• Potential for pulmonary embolism

• Increased blood flow may worsen clotting disorders
  
  

Bottom line: Anyone with active or recent DVT must avoid vibration training without medical clearance.

Potential Negatives of Vibration Machines For The General Population and How to Mitigate Them

Vibration machines may seem like they’re just the latest gym trend, but vibration is actually a scientifically-backed modality for exercise and physiotherapy with a long history. 

If you ask many physical therapists or healthcare practitioners, they’ll tell you that whole body vibration can be used for relief of pain from injuries, aid in rectifying musculo-skeletal problems, improving movement issues, and much more.,,  

However, vibration devices can also have drawbacks, if used incorrectly or contraindicated based on the user’s specific conditions. Below, we’ll cover the most common side effects of vibration training and how to mitigate them.

Common Side Effects and Prevention

Fortunately, most side effects from whole body vibration use are minor, and there are ways you can prevent them. They include:

• Vibration-induced discomfort – When you first start using a vibration machine, you may notice discomfort during or after your workout. Typically, this is caused by the rapid contraction and relaxation of muscle tissues during your exercise or training session. Minor muscle soreness is normal with exercise, and especially if it is new to you. Be careful to assess whether you’re experiencing discomfort or pain. Pain is not a normal side effect when using a vibration machine correctly. 

Prevention tips: Make sure to maintain good form while using the machine. If pain persists, consult with a trainer to ensure you’re using the machine correctly.

• Dizziness or nausea – Some users may experience dizziness or nausea during their initial sessions on a vibration plate. This is because vibration stimulates the vestibular system, the body’s system for detecting movement and maintaining balance. This type of motion sickness is harmless and should resolve when you stop using the device. 

Prevention tips: Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase as your body adjusts to the sensation.

• Joint discomfort – For those with joint conditions such as injuries or cartilage degeneration, vibration machines may cause discomfort in the joints. Vibration training may contribute to overall joint flexibility and comfort, but strengthening exercises should be done with care and professional guidance. 

Prevention tips: Maintain good posture during your workouts. Use a mirror to ensure that your joints are properly aligned during all movements. Consult a trainer or physiotherapist if joint discomfort persists.

• Headache – Headaches are a less common side effect, but are occasionally reported following a vibration workout. This could be due to vascular changes (increased blood flow), or muscular tension. 

Prevention tips: Be sure to hydrate well before and after working out. Stretch your neck and shoulders gently after each session to ease muscle tension. 

What Causes Vibration Injuries?

Many of the reports of potential harmful side effects of vibration on the human body are based on studies of work-related injuries. For instance, it’s well known that vibration from industrial equipment can cause nerve damage and skeletal problems after long-term exposure in the workplace.

However, harmful vibration exposure in the workplace is very different than a workout using a vibration machine:

• Therapeutic devices use low-frequency vibration, while industrial equipment typically vibrates at damaging high frequencies and much greater amplitude
• Vibration sessions for fitness are of short duration (typically between 10 to 30 minutes) vs. working with mechanical equipment for many hours a day
• Vibration training uses carefully calibrated movements and postures, while workplace injuries are linked to concentrated, intense vibration to the hands or spine

Benefits of Vibration Training

Hundreds of studies have investigated the use of vibration machines as a tool to address conditions like obesity, bone loss, arthritis, chronic pain, neurological disorders, injuries, and more. Vibration has also been studied for benefits like increasing muscle endurance and recovery. 

Let’s take a look at what the research has uncovered.

Enhanced Recovery

Studies of vibration training have consistently found that it can aid with addressing symptoms from injuries, illness, chronic conditions, and surgery. A few examples include:

• Stroke recovery – A 2023 meta-analysis of 11 studies found that whole body vibration was an effective remedy for patients suffering from impaired limb movement after a stroke.

• Pain reduction – Multiple studies have found that vibration training may support overall physical well-being. For example, one double-blind study found that using vibration for 5 minutes a day resulted in significantly lower pain scores in patients recovering from rotator cuff reconstruction after 6 weeks compared to those who did not receive vibration.

• Increased range of motion – Studies on athletes have found that the use of vibration training can increase range of motion without decreasing strength of muscle contraction, decrease stiffness in limbs, and increase the number of muscle units recruited during exercise.

• Restored mobility for patients with neurological disorders – Disorders like cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease are characterized by loss of mobility, muscle stiffness (spasticity), and difficulty controlling movements. Some studies have found that vibration may ease spasticity, improve gait, and increase mobility overall in patients with various neurological disorders.,

Fitness and Health Advantages

When the body is exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV), the musculoskeletal system has to do extra work to keep you stable and balanced. This happens at a “micro” level—you may not feel a significant difference when you do squats or calf raises while standing on a vibration platform, but your muscles are making constant, tiny adjustments to maintain your position. These micro-contractions may be small, but they add up to real gains. 

Numerous studies have found that vibration exercises complements a well-rounded fitness regimen:

• Increasing muscle strength, power, and endurance – The use of WBV has been shown in various studies to result in increased muscle activation during exercise compared to doing the same exercise without vibration. In particular, WBV has a significant effect on dynamic strength, isometric strength, and functional measures of strength such as jumping height and sit-to-stand movements. 

• Improving balance and mobility – A review of 16 studies on the use of vibration in older adults found that vibration training can help restore knee muscle isometric strength, muscle power, and balance control.

• Building stronger bones – Multiple studies have found that vibration can be used as a tool for addressing bone loss and osteoporosis. For example, a 2018 literature review concluded that WBV training is an effective method to address symptoms of decreased bone mineral density in the spine and neck in older women.

Find a New Level of Fitness With Power Plate

Whether you’re a dedicated fitness buff or simply looking for an effective way to reduce pain and build mobility, vibration training can help almost everyone. The benefits of vibration plates are well established, with hundreds of studies documenting effects ranging from pain relief to muscle gain. Of course, it’s always important to use vibration plates safely, following trainer guidance or recommendations from the manufacturer.

Whatever your fitness goals, Power Plate is ready to bring you top-of-the-line vibration plate technology.

With options ranging from our compact personal vibration plate all the way to professional-grade vibration platforms like the Pro7HC, there’s a Power Plate that’s the perfect fit for your fitness needs. Make Power Plate part of your wellness habits, and enjoy enhanced results, improved well-being, and a healthier, happier you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Power Plate safer than generic vibration machines?

Yes. Power Plate uses medically validated, harmonic vibrations and is FDA-registered, making it significantly safer than low-cost oscillation plates.

Are vibration plates safe for seniors?

Yes. Power Plate is often recommended for older adults, especially for:

• Improving balance

• Strengthening lower-body muscles

• Supporting mobility

• Enhancing circulation

• Maintaining bone health with low-impact movement

Safety is heavily dependent on technology quality. Power Plate's controlled, gentle vibration patterns make it a preferred choice in clinical fall-prevention and mobility programs. Seniors should start with low intensities and gradually increase as their bodies allow. 

Can beginners use a vibration plate safely?

Absolutely. Start with shorter sessions and lower frequencies and progress gradually. Power Plate offers a library of workout guides to help beginners safely scale their workouts as they gain more experience with their vibration plate.

Always speak with your healthcare provider about any preexisting conditions to ensure Whole Body Vibration is safe for you. 

Sources: 

Acta Physiologica Hungarica. The effects of whole body vibration on humans: dangerous or advantageous? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14594190/ 

Austin Sports Medicine. The historical evolution of the therapeutic application of whole body vibrations: Any lessons to be learned? https://austinpublishinggroup.com/sports-medicine/fulltext/asm-v1-id1003.pdf 

Clinical Rehabilitation. Effects of whole body vibration on pain, stiffness and physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269215514564895 

Clinical Rehabilitation. The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21849376/  

Disability and Rehabilitation. Efficacy of whole body vibration exercise in older people: a systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22225483/ 

Disability and Rehabilitation. Vibration therapy role in neurological diseases rehabilitation: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638288.2021.1946175  

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. Effects of local vibration with different intermittent durations on skin blood flow responses in diabetic people. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00310/

Frontiers of Neurology. Efficacy and safety of whole-body vibration therapy for post-stroke spasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1074922/

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Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. Effects of local vibration therapy on various performance parameters: a narrative literature review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319432/ 

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Whole-body-vibration--induced increase in leg muscle activity during different squat exercises. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/abstract/2006/02000/whole_body_vibration__induced_increase_in_leg.19.aspx 

Medicine. Whole-body vibration training and bone health in postmenopausal women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6112924/ 

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. Vibration therapy in patients with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29950843/ 

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. A review of studies on seated whole body vibration and low back pain. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1243/0954411991535040 

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