I purchased two of these machines in mid-May 2017 after reading this article by Dr. Mercola: https://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2017/05/19/wbvt-mimics-exercise.aspx
One machine was for my mother (78 years old, heart issues/bad knees-right knee replaced 2nd time in June 2017, achy legs affecting sleep, overweight and severely under-exercised) who lives with an older friend with similar health challenges. They both use this machine while seated.
The second machine is used in my household by myself (58 years old, achy knees & back, painful feet after standing or walking for more than an hour) and my husband (71 years old, achy everything, painful feet, bad balance - falls a lot). We have a homestead in AK where we spend 3-5 hours a day 4-6 days a week from April to Sep cutting wood to keep warm during the winter. In winter, we haul wood and pellets @40 lbs per bag every day and sometimes we haul water. We both use the machine while standing and doing some gentle stretching exercises.
I waited this long to write my review in order to fully assess the benefits though I saw results within the first couple of weeks in both households. I wasn't interested in writing a review simply to add an extension to my warranty though this is a nice response on the part of the company. Before my purchase, I read almost every review on this product, looked at other products both in and out of my price range and read their reviews. I chose this machine because it's portable (albeit a bit heavy for lugging around), reasonably priced and the company makes a good show of handling complaints/problems promptly. I didn't see that on any of the other machines out there on Amazon. Also, my needs were simple: REDUCE PAIN!
My mother and her friend both report that their achy/twitchy legs stopped aching and twitching allowing them both to sleep better. They use it in the morning to clear away any stiffness and stimulate the blood flow to their legs. They use it in the evening before going to bed to relax. My mother also used the machine before and after her knee surgery to reduce her pain and stimulate healing. She was released from physical therapy a week early due to her quick recovery. NOTE: She didn't use the machine after surgery until her knee surgeon approved her to continue its use.
At this time, (7 months later), they still use the machine daily.
Here in AK, we first noticed a definite improvement in balance for both of us. Less falls for the husband while tramping around in the woods and I was able to walk backwards with a full wheelbarrow of wood without tripping or stumbling. Also, noticed that when I tripped or stumbled, my muscles were quick to adjust which reduced sprains and strains for my ankles, knees, and backs. Within two weeks of using this for 5 mins in the morning, and 5 mins after coming home after cutting and hauling wood, we increased our daily wood output to nearly double without all the pain. It was a win-win for us.
After the first month, my foot pain was reduced to almost none and I haven't been back on crutches since buying this machine. (I was forced to use crutches at few times before this purchase because the pain in my feet was like walking on broken glass.) We also felt we were sleeping better though we can't pin that down specifically to the machine. I also noted smoother skin on my legs, hips, and buttocks but again we're active and I can't pin it down specifically to the machine. My lower back pain from overuse/strain has also become a non-issue. Side benefits: Trim waistline and firmer chin.
I stand on the machine and do stretches such as pointing my chin to the ceiling until my neck is taut or holding my arms straight out until fatigue forces them to drop. We have it placed facing the window in our bedroom and hold onto the window sill while looking out into the forest. I also like to do gentle squats and tummy/rear squeezes when I have extra time. Every little bit helps me with a tonier body, I think.
My husband was standing on the machine until recently when he lost his lower left leg. Now I put the machine up on a sturdy coffee table for him and he rests his thighs across the machine. We feel the vibrations and stimulation to the lymphatic system are worth the extra effort.
After 7 months, we're still using the machine daily and have had absolutely no problems with it working. I watched a Youtube video as recommended by another reviewer to overcome the overly basic instructions that come with the machine. I also bought the fancy exercise chart but have actually never used it. (I'm not that BIG on exercising when most of my energy/time goes to cutting/hauling/stacking firewood and all the other physical demands of homesteading in AK.)
Downside?: Some people have complained the machine automatically shuts off after 10 minutes. I found this to be a good thing because like anything that stresses your muscles and joints, if I spend too long on the machine, I do experience strain issues. At first in my ankles, later in my knees and eventually in my hips. These strains all went away after appropriate rest and stretching but you CAN overdo it on this machine and we only use the low setting for our purposes.
Bottom line: I highly recommend this machine for improving balance, reducing overall pain and stimulating the lymphatic and digestive systems. I would buy it again for both households just for the non-drug pain relief. Take charge of your health!
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