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Complementary Therapies

mineral density and in the metabolism, endocrine and immunity systems,
muscle and vital functions, balance, and functionality. The mechanical vibra-
tion would be a physical agent that would lead to mechanobiomodulation of
the physiological phenomena in various organs or systems as it is suggested
in Figure 5. Mechanical vibration could act as an agent that promotes the
modulation of biological effects through specific signaling pathways, as vari-
ous hormonal and other substances. Vibration therapy might be considered a
complementary intervention that can be used in the management of individuals
with different health conditions.

3.1 Vibration therapy

In vibration therapy, parameters mentioned previously must be considered.
Additionally, the time of exposure to mechanical vibration in a session, the total
time of the intervention, the number of exposures, rest time in each session, and
the weekly frequency of the sessions must be considered. In the case of whole-body
vibration exercise generated due to the Systemic vibration therapy, the person’s
position in relation to the platform must also be also considered [8].

3.1.1 Devices used in vibration therapy

3.1.1.1 Local vibration therapy

The devices used in local vibration therapy are relatively simple and are small,
and in general, are portable devices device that applies vibration directly over the
muscle or the tendon [20]. Buttons are available for selecting the operational condi-
tions of the intervention characteristics, which consider the frequency of mechani-
cal vibration. Local vibration therapy is very important for several individuals that
are in long-term immobilization, immobilization by a cast, or being in the early
rehabilitation period after surgery [10, 20].

3.1.1.2 Systemic vibration therapy

The device used in Systemic vibration therapy is a vibrating platform. Systemic
vibration therapy is a clinical intervention in which mechanical vibration generated
on a vibrating platform is transmitted to the entire body of the person who is in
contact with the base of the platform producing the whole-body vibration exercise
in the individual [8, 12, 16].
There are two main types of vibrating platforms, which are shown in
Figure 6A and B. Figure 6A represents a vibrating platform where the base per-
forms a movement with vertical displacement as a result of the force applied. The
oscillating of this base can be vertical or triplane way. Figure 6B has demonstrated
the side alternating vibrating platform, where the base performs side alternating
movements (up and down) [8, 12, 16].
In the side alternating vibrating platform, the base rests on a central fulcrum.
When turned on, while the right side of the base goes up, the left side goes down,
generating mechanical vibration, like a seesaw. The mechanical vibration is then
transmitted to the individual who is in contact with the base, and this platform is
called the side alternating platform [8, 12, 16].
In the vertical platform, the whole base of the platform goes up and down which
is called the vertical displacement type. This vertical displacement may be due to
a simple displacement of the base, lowering and raising. In this case, the vibrating

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