Choosing An Inversion Table for Back Pain

Inversion Table Therapy for Back Pain

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, strung up a patient on a ladder with ropes and pulleys to treat his back pain.  Inversion therapy and inversion tables have come a long, long way in comfort, construction and convenience since those days.

Even then they had some appreciation of the contributing factor to back pain from spinal compression. The combination of gravity and muscle imbalances shove the vertebrae of the spine together, pressing on the discs between them.

The inner core of these discs consists of a jelly-like material that acts like a shock absorber system, providing flexibility and cushioning when you are sitting, standing or exercising.  During normal daily activities, gravity causes fluid to squeeze out of your discs into adjacent soft tissue and, of course, with less space between the discs, you lose a little height. During sleep and supported rest, the discs can mostly recover.

Gradually as you get older you get a little shorter! Inversion Table Therapy

Insufficient distance between the vertebrae can result in nerve root pressure, which in turn causes pain. Often the pressure on the discs is not distributed evenly, especially in certain sport or occupational activities.  The discs will tend to bulge and in worst cases, herniate, causing damage and chronic pain.

Inversion therapy is a method of treating back pain by countering the influence of gravity and so reduce the compression of the vertebrae and discs and allow the muscles and ligaments that encase the spine to relax.

This is typically performed on what’s called an inversion table. The table allows you to lie on your back relaxed, to a choice of up to a full inverted position.  This position will negate some or all gravitational compression, depending upon how far you invert your body.

Inversion therapy is the safest, quickest and most effective way to increase the space between your vertebrae.   Numerous clinical studies published in reputable medical journals have confirmed that inversion really does increase the separation between the discs of the spine, which brings relief from back pain. For instance, one study considered 175 people who were unable to work due to back pain.  After eight inversion treatments, 155 of the patients were able to return to work full time.

With the spinal area being allowed to elongate, even the slightest increase in spacing can be enough to allow a herniated disc to pop back into place or relieve pressure from a compressed nerve.

For many years, the biggest concern was that inversion therapy would increase the chance of stroke, but according to one of the pioneers in this field, “In 25 years, I have never seen a case – published or unpublished – where inversion caused a stroke.”

Yes, your face may get a little red but this is a positive indication that blood flow is increasing to the the brain, eyes, skin and hair! Just put a little less incline on the table to start with until you get acustomed with being inverted.

If you have high blood pressure, heart disease or an eye condition, or if you have had fusion surgery, you should check with your doctor before inverting.  Keep in mind that extensive research shows that inversion therapy is as safe as most daily activities.

An inversion table for reducing your back pain should be safe and easy to use, sturdy, adjustable, durable and convenient for home use.  It should adjust easily to a variety of inversion angles, including full inversion – completely upside down – essential to get the full benefit from inversion therapy. It should also have a long guarantee and warranty – 5 years minimum. Ideally, it should come with a laminated user manual and an instructional video on DVD.

You can read more about an inversion table that fits these criteria by clicking here: Inversion Table Therapy