Overview Vitafloor
Key dates for Vitafloor 1992: Original idea for Vitafloor was born in Sweden. 2002: First prototype made. 2002-2004: tested at Swedish Agricultural University. 2004: commercially available in Scandinavia. 2005: commercially available in continental Europe. 2010: Vitafloor USA, Inc. becomes exclusive Vitafloor partner for North America. October 1, 2012: Vitafloor USA, Inc. takes over all global manufacturing and marketing for Vitafloor.
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) WBV: Vibration is a mechanical stimulus characterized by an oscillatory motion. Motion can be horizontal, vertical or combination. Variables include: Amplitude: how far does the platform move in a specific direction Frequency: how many cycles per second Intensity: measured as gravitational force (G) Most human research done on vertical vibrations. Heavier equipment better vibrations. Many differences in frequency and amplitude Lead to widely different protocols.
Human findings with WBV increased proprioceptive/neuro-muscular function. increased muscle power, strength and stability. prevention of muscle atrophy. increased joint stability due to prevention of muscle atrophy. increased flexibility of muscles and joints. decreased muscle soreness/stiffness.
Human findings with WBV preventing loss of bone mass/increasing bone mass. increased blood flow and oxygen uptake. burning of fat. potential hormonal responses leading to pain reduction, mood improvement etc. potentially improving lymphatic drainage.
Drainage/swellings First photo shows person with swollen leg after operation. Second photo: same after 5 minutes on Vitafloor. Third photo: after 10 more minutes following a 20 minutes break.
Less tangible results Helps lower blood pressure? Positive influence on diabetis? Reduction in back, neck, knee, hands, feet pain? Parkinson? Improved sleeping?
How about horses? Not many studies done that are statistically relevant. Most findings for people seem to apply for horses. Swedish Agricultural University tested Vitafloor over period of several years with no adverse effects found. Years of practical feedback from Europe helped us to get started in the US. Running own horse rehab facility has been big advantage due to feedback from vets + UC Davis.
Why is Vitafloor different? Original inventor of equestrian Whole Body Vibration. Specifically designed for 1000 pound plus animal. Thoroughly researched and tested. Over a decade of practical experience. Much heavier duty than other models. Superior upwards vibration that also treats internal organs and topline. Quality components.
Vitafloor usage 35 Hz: for bone related problems (twice a day for 30 minutes is ideal). 40 Hz: for all soft tissue issues (tendons, ligaments, navicular, laminitis etc. twice a day for 30 minutes each). 40 Hz: For general training, warm up, muscle building, once a day for 10-20 minutes (10 for young horses, 20 for horses in training) is sufficient, ideally before work. 50 Hz; for colic. Use for up to 45 minutes per session, then give the horse a break. If he is still colicky, repeat the process.
Benefits: warm up Not just lower legs, but also internal organs and topline. Stride length increases. Quality of work increases. Very good for injury prevention. Saves warm-up time. "Since using the Vitafloor my horses feel warmed up & loose in their muscles as soon as I get on now. At shows not only are they looser but also calmer overall. Based on my own personal experience I believe Vitafloor to be the best product available. Laurie Falvo: GP Dressage Trainer, Encinitas, CA Since I have begun warming my horses up with the Vitafloor vibrating floor system, I feel a little like I am cheating. My horses start out warmed up and energetic. They begin in a soft elastic frame and with continued gymnastic exercises, I finish with a very supple, elastic horse that seems to find collection much easier. The quality of the work, which is achieved in a shorter period of time, is much greater. The quality of the collection, the piaffe, passage and the pirouettes are much better and the horses are more comfortable when collected. I am even finding that straightness is easier and horses that were mouthy are quieter and more comfortable in the bridle. In short, all aspects of the riding and training of the horses have improved in a very short period of time. Liz Hopps McConnell: GP Dressage Trainer, San Marcos, CA.
Benefits: warm up Photo left shows thermal scan of horse before treatment. Photo right shows horse after just 10 minutes on Vitafloor.
Benefits: warm up Photo left shows thermal scan of back of horse before treatment. Photo right shows same after just 10 minutes on Vitafloor.
Benefits: Muscles Study Published in Equine Veterinary Education (October 2016) Authors: Bart Halsberghe, DVM, cvma, cert. ISELP, Russ Peterson, DVM, MS, of Peninsula Equine Medical Center in Menlo Park, Calif., and Paul Gordon Ross, MS, DVM, of Western University of Health Science College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, Calif.
Benefits: Muscles Significant increase in muscle building was found in the back (m. multifidus) of the participating horses after only 30 and 60 days on the Vitafloor. A statistically significant improvement in m. multifidus symmetry (becoming more symmetrical) after 60 days on the Vitafloor. Whole Body Vibration may be a valuable alternative to dynamic mobilization exercises. From a practical perspective, being able to increase the size of this muscle may play a key role in the treatment and prevention of back pain in the horse, as has been shown in humans. Moreover improvement in muscle symmetry has been suggested to be a sign of the muscle returning to normal and as such improved spinal health. The importance of spinal health should not be underestimated as data indicates that 74% of horses with primary back pain show lameness and 32% of the horses with a primary limb lameness have back pain. Furthermore WBV can be used in maintaining or even improving muscle mass when horses are laid up for an injury with the usual deconditioning as a consequence. With the current research WBV appears to be an invaluable adjunctive therapy to maintain muscle mass as well as bone density in these horses during their rehabilitation. Bart Halsberghe, DVM, cvma, cert. ISELP: Peninsula Equine Medical Center, Menlo Park, CA.
Benefits: Muscles Increased muscle growth and suppleness. Less muscle atrophy and soreness. Not just lower legs, but also topline. Also helps against tying up. Helps overcome problems with weaker side. Better over jump. Helps horses on box rest to stay muscled up. 2012: The first couple of weeks I was really impressed how all the horses I had on the Vitafloor came out softer, more relaxed and already feeling like they had been warmed up. After around two weeks I couldn't believe it and was even more impressed by the day how they suddenly started to really muscle up and felt stronger every day. I am so impressed by the Vitafloor vibration training, I intend to keep it as part of my training regime. 2013: I can definitely feel the lack of strength, flexibility and especial lack of muscle mass that Henry is displaying this year compared to last year when he was on a Vitafloor each day. Peter Atkins: Australian WEG Team, Ocala, FL
Vitafloor benefits: bone density Expected to help in increasing bone density in horses with bone density loss. Racing uses vibration technology for this reason. Test cases show improvement in bone density throughout body. Example below: ribs.
Vitafloor benefits: bone density And below: scapula According to UC Davis Specialist results are remarkable
Benefits: colic Stimulates internal organs. Extremely good for gas and impaction colic. (incl. meconium impactions) Also works for sensitivity to barometric pressure changes. Most horses in early stage are fine before vet arrives. Often no need to use bannamine. We have been using the Vitafloor in both the transportable version and the full stall version for a few years now. We have these units installed at a couple of my clients farms and they see use daily for a number of reasons, from pre-warming a horse prior to work under saddle, to rehabilitation following a soft tissue injury or maintaining bone and tissue density when on lay-up. In addition we have employed the systems for treating various ailments to the foot and have had occasion to place horses with early signs of colic on the machine with good results. Mark Silverman, DVM MS, Sporthorse Veterinary Services, San Marcos, CA.
Benefits: joints/swellings Helps with sinovial fluids. Makes joints suppler and seems to reduce pain. Older horses move significantly better. Significant less need for maintenance injections or supplements. Great for cellulitis and other swellings. Removes heat and diffuses blood clots/pockets. We find among other things that Vitafloor is very effective to remove gall and that it has a good effect on reducing swellings that have appeared from different kind of traumas. The most significant effect of Vitafloor is that we have now treated remarkable fewer of our racehorses with joint injections. We are quite sure that we have reduced this type of treatment with 40-50% Dr. Camilla Gregersen, Veterinarian, Denmark.
Benefits: tendons/ligaments Speeds up healing of lesions significantly. Decreases rehab time. Helps against pain and swelling. Better quality of fiber pattern, less scarring. Circulation without movement less chance of re-injury.
Case study: ligaments Moderate tear of the medial collateral ligament of the right front coffin joint. Left: enlarged cross-sectional area + fresh-appearing core lesion. Right (3 months later): reduced effusion and reduced synovitis. Lateral collateral ligament was normal and good granulation in the core lesion of the medial collateral ligament.
Case study:tendons Injury to superficial flexor tendon (several cms.) Photo left shows injury. Photo right 2 1/2 months later. The healing process of the tendon can be described as extremely good; especially considering the short treatment time. Dr. med. vet. Ralf Pellmann, Germany.
Benefits: hormones Increases testosterone. Increases growth hormones. Reduces cortisol. Reduces pain levels. Horses are generally more comfortable, happy and relaxed. it has been shown that testosterone and growth hormones increase, while cortisol decreases Prof. Dr. Hans Brostrom, Swedish Agricultural University, Uppsala, Sweden. It's very helpful with breeding; I put the older stallions on prior to collecting because it speeds things up. It also helps maintain the semen volume and density during the more frequent collection times on the older stallions, some in their mid twenties. Those that were slightly down in semen quantity and quality last year are back up and a year older. Edgar Schutte, President NA Hanoverian Association, Lincoln, CA.
Benefits: laminitis/ hooves Blood circulation without stress or having to walk/move. For all injuries where horse is not allowed to move. Drop in temperature fetlock and hoof wall. Helps with pain and lowers stress (cortisol). Speeds up quantity and quality of hoof (and sole) growth. Helps against bed sores from lying down. Stimulates organs, so less chance of colic. thermography revealed a significant decrease in temperature of the hoof walls and fetlock joints of the front legs after vibration. Prof. Dr. Hans Brostrom, Swedish Agricultural University, Uppsala, Sweden. "with the Vitafloor I continue to see the benefits, with faster and healthier hoof growth. I recommend it to all my clients." Ernest Woodward Farrier Services, Cardiff, CA.
Some references I had the privilege of using a Vitafloor while stabled in Belgium in preparation for the 2014 World Equestrian Games. I was hesitant about my horse being nervous but he very quickly accepted the sessions and was soon leading himself onto the floor! Vitafloor helps keep my horses comfortable in ways that I can t. The vibration penetrates much deeper than any icing technology or massage and treats the whole body in every session. In addition to the physical benefits, the horses love it. Laura Graves, Geneva, FL "The Vitafloor is a great addition for our competition horses. It really helps to keep them in top shape, sound, and healthy!" Shannon and Steffen Peters, San Diego, CA We have used Vitafloor for two years now and we have seen the great effect that the products have on our horses. The horses feel great. They are relaxed, happy, fit and moving better than ever. We are very grateful to Vitafloor for their help and the use of their fantastic therapies. They are simple to use and the horses love it. Double H Farm, Wellington, FL
Some references The Vitafloor is a fantastic tool for helping to bring horses back to fitness quickly and safely after injury in fact the speed of recovery has surprised us. We now put all our horses on the Vitafloor to help maintain fitness and to reduce the incidence of injury in the first place it is now an integral part of our daily regime at Robins Farm Racing. Apart from the fact that it virtually runs itself, freeing our staff to do other work, we ve found that having the Vitafloor has helped us keep recovering horses on box rest onsite we need that second unit! Robins Farm Racing, Chiddingfold, UK The Vitafloor has become a very functional part of keeping our horses healthy and happy. It loosens up the older horses that are body sore and arthritic and maintains muscle tone on injured ones that cannot exercise. On the way in they walk sore and on the way out their swing and elasticity is back. Vitafloor gives the horses with laminitis pain relieve and it helps build stronger hoof wall. We diverted serious colic cases including two foals with meconium impactions. Vitality is up on the elderly and it has helped young riding horses with sore backs. It's very helpful with breeding; I put the older stallions on prior to collecting because it speeds things up. It also helps maintain the semen volume and density during the more frequent collection times on the older stallions, some in their mid-twenties. Those that were slightly down in semen quantity and quality last year are back up and a year older. The Vitafloor is a safe, cost effective, non-invasive way to help prevent problems and improve the horse s well-being. Edgar Schutte, President NA Hanoverian Association, Lincoln, CA