Skip the Vibration Therapy for Now

Skip the Vibration Therapy for Now

In recent years, whole-body vibration therapy – in which a machine rapidly vibrates the body to induce bone stress – has gained a lot of attention as a possible method to improve bone health. Though the therapy makes sense in theory, "there still isn't sufficient evidence to recommend it," says Dr. Lewiecki.

For instance, in 2011, a year-long study found that whole-body vibration therapy didn't improve the bone density and structure of postmenopausal women. And in 2013, a three-year-long study led by Harvard University researchers also found no benefit to the therapy. Interestingly, another study from last year showed that the therapy significantly improved the bone strength of adolescents with cerebral palsy. "Still, your best bet is to get regular physical exercise," says Dr. Rizzoli.