Just a few days ago, one of my patients came back into my office and emphatically reported that her osteopenia and osteoporosis scores had significantly improved over the past year, and she and her doctor were very excited. She was no longer at high risk, and she couldn't believe the progress she had made, considering her complicated medical history. Of course, we were ecstatic, and we knew one of the reasons why.

Technology and the development of new equipment have often been fueled by the space industry. The space industry has always asked tough questions and had to dig for answers. This discovery was no different. NASA needed their astronauts to stay in space longer and still be healthy. They realized they were unable to keep the astronauts in space because they were losing bone and muscle mass too quickly due to a lack of gravity for such prolonged periods of time. How could you ever have a space station and study space if they couldn't keep them there longer? How were some countries able to keep their astronauts in space so long and still keep them healthy in their bones and muscles? Well, leave it to NASA to do the research and find the answer.

The answer came in the form of a vibration plate machine. It was an amazing discovery for us in the medical field — and specifically for us in the physical therapy world — and it would make all the difference for our patients. It is now a tool used all over the country to increase bone and stimulate muscle mass, to decrease lymph congestion and lactic acid build-up after work-outs, and to facilitate overall health and wellness, along with improving balance and decreasing the risk of falls. Vibration increases oxygen to the system, increases micronutrients and macronutrients and decreases the buildup of waste products and carbon dioxide. Just 10 to 20 minutes a day on the vibration plate is all it takes.

My patient trained twice a week on the power plate, lifting weights, and on the CoreAlign Pilates machine at our office and her results have been amazing for her bone health. To increase bone mass and muscle mass, you need at least three days a week of weight training, and to maintain bone mass, weight training on at least two days a week. The power plate increases the level of stimulation and proprioception during your training regime, increasing the results for the bones, joints and muscles.

Professional athletes like tennis pro Serena Williams and MLB Justin Morneau and Evan Longoria have been using the power plate to improve their performance, increase their overall fitness level, and decrease the risk of injury. As you can see, the results speak for themselves, so power up!

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Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy, and she and her staff can be reached in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 667-1988. Punch cards are available for the Power Plate for 15 minutes a visit, 2 or 3 days a week for $60 a month, or $10 a session. Call for more info.