#409 - Using Vibration Plates With Kids: Benefits, Risks & Safety
Shownotes
Vibration plates are everywhere right now, but how do you actually use them safely and effectively with kids? In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite tools and sharing how I use vibration plates in therapy, what the research is saying, and what families and therapists need to know before trying one at home.
I talk about how vibration plates work, why they were originally developed, and why they can be such a powerful tool for sensory regulation, body awareness, muscle activation, and reflex integration. I also share some of the biggest safety considerations, including when to avoid using vibration plates, what signs to watch for during sessions, and why “low and slow” is always the best place to start.
Throughout the episode, I walk through practical ways I incorporate vibration plates into therapy sessions using functional activities instead of just having kids stand on them. From balance work and yoga flows to games, primitive reflex activities, and sensory integration exercises, I share ideas that make this tool purposeful and engaging.
I also discuss what current research is showing around toe walking, constipation, cerebral palsy, and sensory regulation, along with how I decide whether a vibration plate might be helpful for a child at home versus something better used in a clinical setting.
This episode is designed to help you feel more informed, more confident, and more thoughtful about using vibration plates with kids in a way that supports the nervous system safely and intentionally.
Thanks for listening 🩷If you’ve ever used a vibration plate with your child or in therapy, I’d love to hear about your experience!
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
https://lifeprofitness.com/collections/vibration-therapy
Therapeutic Use of Vibration Plates Webinar
https://sensationalbrain.com/product/vibration-plates-pediatric-occupational-therapy/
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily