Inversion back training is a type of physical therapy that is designed to reduce or reverse gravity's negative impacts on your spinal cord. During inversion back training, you attach your legs to a platform or table and then hang upside down for a few minutes, thus allowing the discs in your spinal cord to decompress.
Types
Inversion back training includes two main types. The first involves strapping yourself in to gravity boots that are hooked to a rack and hanging 90 degrees upside down. The second method is to use an inversion table, which is a padded table on an A-frame that can be slowly tipped back so you are inverted anywhere between zero and 90 degrees. While inverted you can just hang there to receive the benefits or you can stretch and do light exercise to increase the effects of the therapy on your body.
Function
While inverted, the gravity that normally pushes you down into the ground begins to pull your head toward the ground, thus pulling your vertebrae apart from each other. This allows your spine to be more fluid and reduces pressure on the nerve endings that cause back pain. The Lose the Back Pain website also states that inversion therapy helps to realign your spine during your stretches as well.
Benefits
Apart from benefits to your spinal cord, inversion back training is claimed to improve your circulation by encouraging blood flow to your heart. It is also believed to promote your lymphatic system, which removes waste products from your body. If stretching and exercises, such as inverted squats or crunches, are added to your inversion back training, you can build muscle tone and flexibility as you relieve back pain.
Significance
Inversion back training is believed to provide temporary relief to sufferers of back pain, but it has not been shown to produce long term effects, according to MayoClinic.com website. "Well-designed studies evaluating traction have found the technique ineffective for long-term relief," Dr. Randy Shelerud states in his analysis of the technique.
Warning
Your blood pressure can increase significantly while inverted for more than a few minutes, so inversion back training is not advised for anyone with high blood pressure, hypertension or any type of cardiovascular disease. People with glaucoma, osteoporosis, detached retina and women who are pregnant should also not try inversion therapy. Ask your personal physician before attempting this type of training.
