Cellulite is a condition of the subcutaneous fat resulting in a coarse skin relief and an orange-like appearance of the skin. Therefore, cellulite is also referred to as orange-peel skin. From a medical point of view, the term cellulite means an inflammation of the subcutaneous connective tissue that expands laterally. The depressions and irregularities can be quite sensitive and are primarily situated in the bottom, hips, thighs and upper arms.
Cellulite is a disorder of the connective tissue, it is a sort of agglutination of the subcutaneous connective tissue structure, which is a matrix-like connective tissue. In many places of the large meshes special cells are situated, in which fat can be stored as a metabolic reserve.
The irregular skin surface of cellulite is the results of thickened fat cells, moisture and toxic substances from the surroundings as well as food. The welling of the fat cells is also caused by an excessive production of the estrogen hormone, which makes the fat cells grow in number, too.
The surrounding blood circulation is blocked by the disconnected blood vessels. Waste products cannot be discharged anymore and the underlying connective tissue is encapsulated as it were. The skin is less elastic and the dreaded orange-peel skin becomes visible. The strangulated strand of connective tissue that are connected to the epidermis shrink. This process is responsible for the irregularities in the skin. This combination forms the pattern of the dreaded cellulite.
Other possible reasons for cellulite are a poor blood circulation, alcohol, refined sugars and caffeine. These substances contribute to the accumulation of toxic substances in the body. But genetic factors in combination with little exercise, constipation, stress, bad eating habits, smoking, too much alcohol and certain medications let the fat cells grow in volume due to the accumulation of fat molecules, moisture and waste products.
Now, How to Decrease Cellulite?
Theoretically the principle works as follows: if the specific places with cellulite are treated locally by laying on the vibration plate, for example in the position “abductor massage” , the vibrations enhance the blood circulation. The vibrations in combination with loosening the agglutinations of the connective tissue will lead to a stronger connective tissue and skin.
However, the fact remains that it is very hard to control cellulite completely, if nothing is done to the eating habits and the taking of harmful substances. The number of fat cells, that are the root cause of cellulite, will not decrease and even though the better blood circulation and the loosening of the agglutinations will make the cellulite less visible, the problem will return quite soon.
The local vibrations of the vibration plate have the same effect as a massage has. As a consequence, it results in a decrease of the amount of fat and a stronger skin and connective tissue. Furthermore, if vibration training is applied regularly, the muscle mass will increase, which leads to a better fat burning and a permanent disappearance of the cellulite.
Research in Germany* measured the improvement of the skin with the help of vibration training. The study consisted of three groups:
24 women doing vibration training for 24 weeks; 31 women combining vibration training with cardio training (24-48 minutes) and a reference group that did no training at all. A special diet was not required, but the participants were not allowed to eat too much fats and sugars.
What they had to do was eat extra proteins and drinking two to three litres of water. The results were astonishing.
Cellulite after 24 weeks
Vibration training: -25,68%
Vibration training & cardio: -32,30%
Reference Group: 0.00
The table shows that after 24 weeks a decrease of 25,68% of cellulite is stated. As soon as the vibration training is combined with cardio training, the same period even shows a decrease of 32,30%. Therefore, it is recommended that women having this sort of problem include vibration training in their training program.
* Frank, H. et al. (2003) Anti Cellulite Untersuchung. Sanaderm Fachklinkik fur Hautkrankheiten, Allergologie, 1-35.