How To Use A Vibration Plate to Help With Peripheral Neuropathy

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

Here’s how we support clients with Peripheral neuropathy using Power Plate: we guide them through gentle, low-intensity sessions focused on foot stimulation, ankle mobility, balance training, and circulation work. Most clients start with 10 minutes, 2-3 times per week, often incorporating dynamic movements in a standing position.

We set the Power Plate to 30 Hz to provide controlled, harmonic stimulation that activates sensory receptors in the feet and legs without overwhelming sensitive nerves. We emphasize slow, deliberate movements—such as light calf stretches, heel raises, and supported weight shifts—to encourage proprioception and blood flow.

Why this works for our clients: whole-body vibration increases circulation and oxygen to the extremities, enhances neuromuscular activation, and stimulates nerve pathways involved in balance and foot/ankle control. For many individuals with neuropathy, these gentle inputs help improve mobility, reduce stiffness, and support better nerve communication.

Research supports this approach: several clinical studies have shown that short, consistent WBV sessions can reduce neuropathic discomfort, improve balance, and even enhance nerve-conduction measures over 4–12 weeks of use.

Understanding Neuropathy and Its Impact

Your peripheral nervous system sends signals from the central nervous system—i.e., your brain and spine—to the rest of the body through motor nerves. When these peripheral nerves become damaged and cannot function or communicate optimally, peripheral motor neuropathy results.Sensory neuropathy is when the peripheral nerves send signals back to the central nervous system (pain, tingling, etc.) Nerve damage disrupts signal transmission, causing unusual and often painful sensations in hands and feet. This neuropathic pain affects millions worldwide.

There are over 100 variations of peripheral neuropathy, each with unique symptoms. For example, motor neuropathy affects the nerves that control body movements, from walking to talking to moving the arms. Autonomic neuropathy is a more severe condition that affects the nerves involved in automatic processes we don’t usually even think about, like breathing and heartbeat.

Causes and Symptoms of Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy’s most common link is diabetes. Multiple sclerosis and injuries can also contribute to the deterioration of nerve fibers and nerve endings. More than half of people with diabetes will develop some kind of neuropathy. Other ways neuropathy can develop are from injuries, alcoholism, overexposure to poisons, low vitamin levels, infections, and in some cases, genetics.

The most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include the following: 

• Onset of prickling, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet that travels to the arms and legs over time. (Sensory)
• Extreme sensitivity to touch (Sensory)
• Sharp, stabbing or burning pain(Sensory)
• Lack of coordination and falling ( Motor with sensory contribution)
• Muscle weakness(Motor)

These symptoms can make daily life challenging, and can lead to other areas of your health suffering. But what if there was a treatment that could relieve neuropathy symptoms and help improve your overall health simultaneously? 

Enter the vibration plate.

The Science Behind Whole Body Vibration (WBV) for Neuropathy

In a recent 2020 study, whole body vibration (WBV) improved symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy by significantly reducing baseline pain in neuropathy patients. This involves the use of a vibration platform or local vibration devices to deliver mechanical oscillations to the body and promote relaxation in muscle spindles.

In the study, researchers concluded that WBV was responsible for reduced pain in subjects after two-week and four-week use intervals. Even more promising, subjects reported reduced pain in the weeks following WBV treatment, suggesting that using a vibration plate can have lasting pain reduction effects.

Additionally, WBV may benefit balance and improve gait in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients, according to a case study published in 2015. In the study, a patient received regular short vibration exercise sessions over four weeks. Interestingly, this case study revealed a notable acute pain reduction after each session and showed the patient’s gait improved in most of the measured variables by the end of study.

While the above research is exciting, there are even more that show the benefits of using a vibration plate for neuropathy.

Snapshot of Studies for Vibration Plates and Neuropathy

The Comprehensive Benefits of Vibration Training for Neuropathy

While using a vibration plate for neuropathy, you may enjoy the following additional benefits: 

• Stronger bones – During WBV training, the vibrations facilitate blood flow to the bones and muscles, increasing the rate at which they recover and heal. Stronger and denser bones can help prevent breaks when an accident happens. Since neuropathy often reduces balance and coordination, increasing your bone strength through WBV is a welcome bonus.
• Improved blood circulation – The stimulating vibrations delivered through a vibration plate or a vibrating massage device can increase skin blood flow. This critical circulation process helps to move vital oxygen and nutrients to cells to support their functioning. The boosted blood circulation has many benefits on its own, such as potentially reducing the appearance of cellulite and helping to balance the fluids in your body, combating lymphedema.

• Enhanced fitness – Leading athletes and trainers use vibration plates to reduce muscle pain and fatigue and build muscle strength while burning fat and calories. Vibration training allows your body to efficiently activate more muscle fibers than traditional strength training, allowing you to build a better body while providing chronic pain relief from neuropathy.

Safety Considerations Before Engaging in Vibration Training

While generally safe for all ages and body types, certain preexisting medical conditions can make vibration plates unsafe for some users. You should always discuss your use of whole body vibration technology with your physician, or other medical provider, if you have any pre-existing conditions for which you have concerns. In addition, neuropathy sufferers can also benefit from other neuropathy treatment methods, such as physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. This multi-faceted approach helps with pain management and supports the healing of the damaged nerves.

Power Plate®: Your Partner in Neuropathy Management

Power Plate offers an array of vibration plates and targeted vibration therapy wellness equipment engineered to help your body feel better, regardless of your level of physical fitness. For those who want a vibration plate to help manage their neuropathy pain, we recommend going with the Power Plate MOVE. The compact Power Plate MOVE is the perfect combination of size and function. It can go all the way up to 40Hz, more than enough to get you started in your pain relief journey.

To complement your training, you can use a vibration plate roller, mini massage gun, or a peanut massage roller for targeted muscle relief.

With Power Plate’s proprietary PrecisionWave™ Technology, you benefit from a precise range of frequencies and amplitudes that have been scientifically proven to deliver robust outcomes. With its signature tri-planar movement patterns, Power Plate is specifically engineered to deliver this precise vibration in a way that is comfortable and safe.

Think a Power Plate at home could be just what you need to revolutionize your health? Check out the incredible lineup of whole body vibration plates at powerplate.com today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I expect results?

Studies suggest that many people begin to notice pain relief within the first four weeks of consistent vibration training. Continued use yields stronger results as most individuals experience more significant improvements in pain reduction, balance, and stability as they progress beyond 8–12 weeks of training.

Is Power Plate safe for diabetic neuropathy?

Often yes, but diabetic users should consult their provider to discuss all pre-existing conditions.

How often should I use Power Plate for neuropathy?

Many users start with 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times weekly, and progress as tolerated.

More Information About The Benefits of Whole Body Vibration for Neuropathy

• Effects of whole-body vibration therapy on perception thresholds of type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial
• Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Skin Blood Flow and Nitric Oxide Production
• Whole body vibration therapy for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study
• Whole body vibration improves symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Sources: 

Mayo Clinic. Peripheral neuropathy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Peripheral Neuropathy. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peripheral-neuropathy

Pub Med. Whole body vibration improves symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32507132/

ScienceDirect. Case study: Use of vibration therapy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral small fiber neuropathy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877593411000117

Monmouth Pain. The Benefits of Power Plate Vibration Therapy at Monmouth Pain. https://www.monmouthspine.com/category-wellness/the-benefits-of-power-plate-vibration-therapy/