The mechanical vibration is the simplest and purest form of vibratory energy
application in physical and rehabilitation medicine. After the first observations of the
effects of vibrations, the scientific research has been directed to the identification of the
molecular mechanisms that mediate signal trans-duction at the tissue level. Although
these mechanisms are still not fully understood, and despite the adverse effects
observed in subjects improperly exposed to vibratory sources for various reasons,
during the last century, the mode of application of mechanical vibration has gradually
evolved from whole-body to focal and mechano-acoustic forms, as much as the field of
application has gradually expanded spreading from the initial skeletal and muscle
applications to the current motor impairment conditions associated with the most
common neurological diseases.
Keywords: Amplitude, Focal vibration, Frequency, Mechanical vibration,
Mechano-acoustic vibration, Mechanoreceptors, Mechanostat theory, Muscle
spindle, Musculoskeletal system, Neurorehabilitation, Resonance, Somatosensory
cortex, Tensegrity, Tonic vibration reflex, Tuning response, Whole-body
vibration.
