Neck pain is a common condition that may arise from any number of causes, including poor posture, stress, repetitive use and injury. Inversion therapy is a method for treating neck pain. An inversion table works to alleviate pain by relaxing neck muscles and improving circulation to eliminate waste from the neck and surrounding region.
Function
An inversion table is a device on which a user lies at various angles to stretch the neck and back muscles. It is constructed of a steel frame with leg locks and heel holders that hold the user in place. A bench accommodates the user and can be adjusted by as much as 180 degrees -- or full inversion, in which the user is completely upside down -- and can accommodate users of different heights and weights.
Benefits
Stretching on an inversion table can provide multiple benefits to sufferers of neck pain. Lying inverted allows gravity to increase blood flow to the neck and helps the lymphatic system clear more quickly. Inversion lengthens neck muscles to improve flexibility and range of motion. Posture is also improved by allowing gravity to align the spine and joints near the neck.
Time Frame
Treating neck pain on an inversion table should be started slowly and carefully. For the beginner, two to three minutes once or twice daily for two weeks on a table that is inverted 20 to 30 degrees is sufficient for treatment. As the user becomes more comfortable with the table over time, treatment sessions can be lengthened and the table can be inverted to steeper angles. Eventually, 15-minute sessions up to two times a day can be accomplished to treat neck pain.
Considerations
Diving into full inversion -- or lying at a 180-degree angle -- is not recommended for the first-time user. Too steep an angle too soon can actually exacerbate and even worsen neck pain in some cases. Consistent, daily use is key to making the most out of an inversion table to alleviate and prevent neck pain.
Expert Insight
A medical examination can be a useful prerequisite to inversion therapy to treat neck pain. X-rays and MRIs are effective diagnostic tools to locate and assess sources of pain. A doctor can also physically examine the neck and spine to ascertain postural deficiencies. The better educated a user is about his or her neck pain, the more targeted the therapy can be.
