Power Plate partners with Screen My Bones to formalise UK ‘screen-to-solution’ bone health ecosystem

Global healthtech innovator Power Plate®️ has announced the formalisation of a UK ‘screen-to-solution’ bone health ecosystem, which will help transform current care pathways across the UK.

Specifically, the ecosystem sees Power Plate partner with radiation-free, bone density screening specialists, Screen My Bones, sitting alongside its proprietary PrecisionWave™ whole-body vibration technology, and the low-impact osteogenic loading system, bioDensity.

Bone fragility and fractures cost the NHS an estimated £4.4bn annually, with most people at risk of bone density changes not being diagnosed or addressed. Power Plate’s screen-to-solution ecosystem is designed to shift the impetus from reactive and costly treatment to a proactive preventative model with a focus on diagnosis, targeted intervention and long-term musculoskeletal health.

To help drive greater accessibility across the UK from as early as possible, Screen My Bones utilises advanced, radiation-free REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry) bone density scanning to provide bone mineral density and bone quality scores with clinical precision.

Unlike traditional DEXA scans, REMS uses sound waves instead of radiation, meaning it is safer, does not require a GP referral, is non-invasive and painless and suitable for repeat assessments. Touting accuracy of 98%, results are available in minutes. A widely proven technology, used by over one million people worldwide, REMS is backed by 50+ studies and is shown to have strong clinical sensitivity for identifying osteopenia and osteoporosis.

It is perhaps no surprise therefore, that leading national health club operator, David Lloyd - who have a collective 100+ clubs and 850,000+ members across the UK are piloting bone screening days across select clubs.

Michelle Dand, Head of Product & Programming at David Lloyd explains: “We share the same vision as Power Plate. To improve bone health care and accessibility where too often issues are not picked up through traditional routes.”

David Lloyd, a long-time user and proponent of whole body vibration technology, is just one example of where the ecosystem is expected to thrive. Proven to stimulate bone formation and positively impact bone density, Power Plate is a vitally important element of the ecosystem. In fact, David Lloyd has written a skeletal health training module that includes vibration training – upskilling its PTs and wider teams on Power Plate and its benefits for a wide range of different users.

Iain Murray, Managing Director at Power Plate UK explains: “It’s about meeting people where they are - whether that be at home, in gyms, hotels, workplaces, within hospitals or extending to professional sports - we believe better bone health care is possible.”

Murray adds: “With an estimated 200 million people living with osteoporosis globally - most without knowing it - there is a huge opportunity to help make a positive impact by creating better pathways for early intervention and proactive solutions.”

Extending to Power Plate’s sister technology, bioDensity, a specialised, evidence-based strength training system is designed to stimulate bone growth, muscle strength and functional performance through brief, low-impact exercise. Coverage across the UK is growing, with the technology now available across 10+ locations.

Working through the safe generation of high mechanical forces needed to stimulate an osteogenic response, the body's natural process of building stronger bones through increased bone density, studies have shown that once-weekly, 15-minute, bioDensity sessions can improve bone density to combat osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Furthermore, studies have found that combining Power Plate and bioDensity in a combined programme delivers gains in strength, balance and everyday functional independence.

Murray explains: “This isn't about promoting individual technologies, it's about building an integrated ecosystem that combines assessment, intervention and ongoing support in a way that hasn't existed previously. Particularly, as awareness grows around menopause, healthy ageing, obesity medications and other factors affecting bone health, we believe prevention and proactivity have never been more important."