Inversion therapy requires your body to go against gravity. Inversion tables allow you to recline your body back at varying angles and at the deepest angle, will position you upside down. Inversion tables have been touted as an effective way to relieve lower back pain. While this therapy might provide some relief, it is not appropriate if you have certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor before using an inversion table.
Action
By going against gravity, an inversion table helps lengthen the spine, nerves, ligaments and surrounding structures. This decompressing effect is supposed to create more space between the vertebrae, relieving pain and pressure. It is a form of spinal traction, any treatment that stretches the spine.
Effectiveness
According to the Mayoclinic.com website, research has shown spinal traction techniques ineffective for long-term relief of back pain. You might find temporary relief using an inversion table, but it probably will not represent a permanent solution to your back pain. It could serve as a useful complement to other treatments employed for this problem.
Proper Use
Since your body is not accustomed to this type of positioning, you should start off slowly to reduce your risk of injuries like pulled muscles. Teeter Hang Ups, a company that manufactures inversion tables for medical offices and home use, advises reclining only 20 to 30 degrees for the first several weeks to acclimate your body. You can work your way up to 60 degrees, the minimum angle necessary to produce spinal decompression. Inversion tables recline at total of 90 degrees but you do not need to go this far to achieve benefits of decompression.
Contraindications
Certain medical conditions preclude the use of inversion tables. Because of its effects on heart rate and blood pressure, you should not use this therapy if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, glaucoma or other eye conditions, heart conditions or circulatory disorders. Other contraindicated conditions include osteoporosis, unhealed or recently healed fractures, spinal injuries, middle ear or eye infections, hernia and pregnancy.
