This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Has anyone ever tried the Power Plate? No, it doesn't involve food, and yes, Madonna uses it too; bit beyond that, a dr recently told me that he recommends it to a lot of pts, esp. people with MS-- it' supposed to get to all sorts of muscles that are normally difficult to target, improve flexibility, help circulation etc. The home version is ridiculously expensive; the commercial version is available in some gyms (none near me unfortunately).

My gym has powerplate, and I have tried using it. basically, it is just about the most boring type of exercise I can imagine. I think it would be very beneficiary for someone who cannot move at all, as the machine moves your muscles, for someone that can exercise on her own, I'm not sure it is the best option. in any event, the physical therapist said don't give up other regimes, use it as an extra option.

it does has advantages: first, the whole work out takes 10-15 minutes, so I use it on days when I am in a rush, second, some research says it is good for osteoporosis, and since this is a concern for me, I make a point of using the machine.

hi, I'm new, I do my best to keep moving. yoga and belly dancing are my main choices.

Are you just standing there? It seems that if you were to do light excercise such as squats while on it, they would be hyper effective.

it would be a lot more effective, but it's too difficult for me. I do one or two squats, then let the machine work. (without the powerplate I can do a full set of squats.) I have seen young men doing squats, pushups, etc. not me. i'm not a man i'm not young and i seem to have this ms thing...

The following article was in my latest newsletter from Dr. Joseph Mercola:

http://powerplate.mercola.com/?e_cid=20110728_DNL_art_1

After a search on ThisIsMS, I found there were several entries for this piece of equipment. This one seemed to be the most appropriate for Mercola's article. Fellow members may be interested in the information. "Jugular" cautioned that people with stents should not use this machine.

Dr. Mercola states that the PowerPlate helps to reduce visceral fat – I found this especially interesting because visceral fat (which can be present in thin, normal, or obese people – it is interior fat which is deposited around the organs) secretes cytokines (also called adipokines). These chemicals irritate or poison the liver. I believe these chemicals also stimulate the pancreas to produce excess insulin, which, as you all know, I suspect to be the key to MS.

Once again, just sharing.

I cannot begin listing all the ways I love this machine.

But the top of my list include:
- pain reduction
- circulation
- increase muscle density

I tried it for the first time last year in the UK and loved the results that I got certified in it and joined a co-op gym that has one so that I can train myself and my clients who have MS.

There is a list of do's and don'ts so try it out with someone who knows what they are doing. But otherwise, give it a try, you won't regret it.

The company who makes the machines has a list of trainers who provide a "Power Pass" service, which means you can try it out for free.