Compression of the spine is unavoidable with age. This is due to a number of factors, including gravity, frequent sitting, lack of exercise, excess weight and loss of fluid in the tissue between the spinal discs. Compression can result in back pain, and many look to inversion tables for relief even though it may only be temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic. Inversion tables put the body in a head-down position and let gravity stretch the muscles and relieve pressure.
Relieve Pressure on Discs and Nerves
Prolonged compression on the disc vertebrae can lead to herniated discs, ruptured discs and other health issues. By hanging at an inverted angle, the discs in the back naturally widen and rehydrate. This increased space also helps to reduce pain in the sciatic and other nerves by temporarily alleviating pressure.
Improve Posture and Realign the Spine
Inversion tables position the body to lie flat and stretch. This position relieves tension on all areas of the neck and back. The space created improves posture over time because lying upside-down places the body back in line with the downward force of gravity and elongates the vertebra, allowing it to realign properly back to its normal "S" curve shape.
Improve Circulation and Flexibility
Gravity speeds up the lymphatic system and helps to flush out the body's wastes and carry them to the blood stream. The faster this waste is cleared, and fresh supplies of oxygen are introduced, the faster stiffness and pain in the muscles can disappear.
Doesn't Require Surgery or Medication
Some health care professionals will recommend inversion first as a conservative approach for back pain treatment before recommending costly and potentially dangerous back surgery, according to articles and feedback from spine-health.com. Patients who notice an improvement avoid surgery altogether with regular inversion treatments. Tables are available for home purchase, but experts on physicalhealthguide.com caution buyers to research all of the features and warranties before selecting a table. A home table may be more economical than surgery, but only if it works.
