What if improving bone density, muscle mass, and mitochondrial health didn’t require intense workouts—or even breaking a sweat?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Clinton Rubin, SUNY stem cell biologist and pioneer in vibration therapy research, and Ian Cutts, CEO of Marodyne, to break down the real science behind low-magnitude vibration therapy—and why most vibration platforms are being used incorrectly and dangerously. (Vibration Therapy for Bone Health)
Backed by decades of peer-reviewed research and FDA-approved technology, this conversation separates legitimate clinical science from fitness-industry gimmicks.
🧬 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why 30 Hz at 0.4g is the Goldilocks zone for bone and muscle health
- How high-intensity gym vibration plates may damage the brain and nervous system
- How vibration therapy stimulates mitochondria and mechanotransduction without raising heart rate
- Why bisphosphonates address only 1/3 of osteoporosis physiology
- Clinical evidence showing benefits in children with muscular dystrophy and elderly adults at risk of fractures
- How vibration signals influence stem cells, bone remodeling, and telomere protection
This is not pseudoscience. Dr. Rubin’s work has shaped how we understand mechanical signaling, skeletal health, and longevity, with real-world clinical applications already in use.
Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, longevity enthusiast, or simply curious about safer alternatives to traditional exercise, this episode offers a deep, evidence-based look into the future of bone health.
Watch The Podcast
Listen to The Podcast
Also available on
Author Biography
Clinton T. Rubin, PhD
Dr. Rubin is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and founding Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Advanced Technology in Medical Biotechnology, a CAT funded by the New York State foundation for Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR), which links the intellectual and physical resources of NY Universities to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries.
Rubin’s research is targeted towards understanding the cellular mechanisms responsible for the growth, healing, and homeostasis of bone, and how mechanical stimuli mediate these responses through the control of mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and proliferation, to establish non-drug treatment strategies for osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Rubin holds ~30 patents in the area of wound repair, stem cell regulation, and treatment of metabolic disease, and is a founder of Exogen, Juvent, Marodyne Medical, and Lahara Bio, which use physical signals to regulate biologic processes. He has published over 300 articles, has been cited ~45,000 times, with an H-index of 100. He is a fellow of AAAS, NAI, ASBMR, BMES and AIMBE. Dr. Rubin received his AB degree from Harvard, and his PhD from Bristol University, U.K.
Ian Cutts
Mr. Cutts is originally from England with educational background in marketing. He is a Medical device commercialization executive with world wide experience. Currently Co-Owner and President of Copa Healthcare LLC, which is a US distribution business for medical device technologies used in musculoskeletal health.
Show Notes from this episode
00:00 – Introduction
Dr. Stephen Barrett introduces guests Ian Cutts (CEO of Marodyne) and Dr. Clinton Rubin (Distinguished Professor at SUNY). Episode will explore vibration therapy’s physiological effects on the human body, both positive and negative depending on dosage.
01:16 – Guest Introductions
Ian Cutts shares his 28-year background in whole body vibration and medical device commercialization, primarily working with Dr. Rubin. Dr. Rubin introduces himself as a stem cell biologist focused on mechanical signals that drive stem cell fate selection toward bone, muscle, and ligament rather than fat.
02:44 – Exogen Bone Stimulator Background
Dr. Rubin discusses founding Exogen with Ian Cutts and Jack Ryaby, developing the first FDA-approved medical device for delayed fractures using low-intensity ultrasound. Ian’s role was translating science through FDA approval, insurance, and commercial implementation.
05:00 – Vibration as a Broad Concept
Dr. Rubin quotes Einstein: “Everything in life is vibration.” Discusses how cells have evolved over 3.2 billion years to respond to gravity and mechanical signals. Examples include ultrasound, shockwave therapy, electromagnetic fields, and how we perceive texture, sound, and color through frequency-specific vibrations.
08:24 – Exercise as Mechanical Signal
Discussion of how physicians recommend exercise for muscle/bone strength, immune function, and cognitive health. The team’s goal is to distill the mechanical signal component of exercise to deliver benefits to those who cannot exercise (housebound, post-surgery, immunocompromised patients).
10:00 – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Dr. Barrett shares experience with Dr. Wolfgang Schaden from Vienna who treated tibial/fibular fractures with shockwave therapy, sometimes on the contralateral leg, achieving 90%+ union rates. Discussion of systemic effects and inflammation activation.
12:19 – Systemic Connections
Dr. Rubin discusses crosstalk between bone, immune system, cardiovascular system, and brain. Their technology brings exercise-like benefits to patients who are bed-bound or cannot exercise safely.
15:00 – Clinical Trial Populations
Discussion of clinical trials spanning from children fighting cancer, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy, to postmenopausal women and elderly adults. Results show ability to build muscle and bone while suppressing fat without requiring traditional exercise.
15:37 – Historical Context of Vibration Therapy
Dr. Barrett notes vibration therapy dates to 400 BC with Greeks, through Renaissance period, to Dr. Kellogg’s Victorian-era sanitarium with vibratory mattresses and chairs. Big Pharma’s rise in the 1930s sidelined vibration therapy.
16:56 – Sponsor Break: Stem Regen
Advertisement for stem cell mobilizer supplement.
20:00 – Return of Physical Medicine
Dr. Rubin discusses how Big Pharma introduced valuable drug treatments but people are now curious about physical medicine again, recognizing serious drug side effects. Physical therapy and early mobilization are being re-emphasized.
21:37 – Dangers of Too Much Vibration
Critical discussion of occupational hazards: helicopter pilots, truck drivers with low back pain, vibrating saw users developing Raynaud’s phenomenon and white finger disease. Their device meets ISO 2631 standards for safe human exposure (up to 4 hours daily). Gym vibrating plates at 8g+ exceed safe thresholds even for 10 seconds per day.
23:57 – Percussive Brain Injury Warning
Comparison of high-intensity gym vibration plates to “standing on a Home Depot paint shaker.” Warning about brain injuries similar to NFL players’ concussive injuries from repeated trauma.
25:00 – Proper Dosage Discussion
Introduces their parameters: 30 Hz frequency and 0.4g intensity. Dr. Rubin explains these are safe by ISO/OSHA/FDA standards while being physiologically effective.
26:56 – Why 30 Hz and 0.4g?
Muscle contracts as an inefficient motor vibrating at 20-50 Hz. They selected 30 Hz as the target frequency. As we age, this frequency content in muscle contraction disappears. Their device acts as a surrogate for missing muscle contractions at safe 0.4g intensity (40% of Earth’s gravitational field).
30:00 – Mitochondrial Effects
Discussion of rat studies showing mitochondrial upregulation. Dr. Rubin confirms they elevate mitochondrial activity in human T cells from elderly patients, improving cell exhaustion resistance without elevating overall metabolic activity.
35:00 – Longevity and Fracture Prevention
Discussion of correlation between muscle mass, bone density, and longevity. Post-hip fracture patients often have one-year survival timelines. The fracture prevention algorithm includes bone quality/quantity, muscle strength, and balance – not just one element.
38:29 – Hong Kong Study Results
Colleagues in Hong Kong demonstrated balance protection and trending reduction in fractures in elderly assisted living community residents.
40:00 – Bisphosphonate Discussion
Dr. Rubin provides nuanced view of FDA-approved bisphosphonates. While they reduce fractures and are valuable, patients often stop taking them, leading to catch-up bone loss. Drug holidays don’t fully solve the problem. Only 12.5% of initially prescribed patients remain compliant long-term (50% fill script, 50% of those refill, 50% of those continue).
43:27 – Aging in Place Strategy
Discussion of longevity and healthy aging. Their technology targets compromised populations who cannot exercise: chemotherapy patients, immunocompromised individuals, genetic conditions preventing mobility. Brings salutary benefits of mechanical signals to those unable to access LA Fitness.
46:29 – Daily Signal Requirement
Dr. Rubin explains cellular adaptations occur within 24 hours (cytoskeletal changes, mitochondrial activation), but cells revert to “couch potato” state without daily signals. Weekly exercise insufficient; daily stimulation needed.
47:43 – Endothelial Cell Benefits
Brief mention of benefits to endothelial cells including upregulated nitric oxide production.
49:10 – Mechanotransduction Philosophy
Dr. Rubin reframes discussion: vibration doesn’t activate pathways so much as the absence of mechanical signals inactivates them. Mechanical signals are fundamental conserved pathways in all cells.
49:50 – Purchasing Information
Ian Cutts provides website information: Marodyne.us with special code SB200 for $200 off. In US, FDA treats as powered exercise equipment. Outside US (Europe, Canada, Australia), classified as Class 2 treatment device for osteoporosis. Hong Kong studies show benefits post-hip surgery (day 1 to week 2) with lasting effects on muscle strength and balance 12 months after cessation.
Key Takeaways
- Safe Parameters: 30 Hz frequency at 0.4g intensity meets ISO/OSHA/FDA safety standards
- Target Population: Primarily for those unable to exercise regularly (elderly, post-surgery, immunocompromised, mobility-limited)
- Avoid High-Intensity Devices: Gym vibration plates at 8g+ pose serious safety risks including brain injury
- Daily Use Required: Cellular adaptations revert within 24 hours without continued stimulation
- Holistic Approach: Addresses bone density, muscle mass, AND balance – not just one element
- Proven Results: Clinical trials from children to elderly showing muscle/bone building and fat suppression
Sponsors Of The Episode
Marodyne LiV
Clinically proven, low-intensity vibration—10 minutes a day to strengthen bone, muscle, and movement safely.
Use code: SB200 for $200 off
Approved Medical Solutions
Your source for Oxalate free Nitric Oxide Supplementation
Non-licensed patients can use code “sbarrett” for a 10% discount.
Licensed practitioners can access the discounts by registering and when at checkout put “podofinquiry” (no space and not case sensitive) in the coupon section.
Ketone
Nitric Oxide
ClearDetox Pro & ClearSleep
