If you suffer from constant back pain without a discernible cause, your chiropractor or physical therapist may suggest that you use inversion therapy to help relieve your pain. Inversion therapy uses a table with straps that balances on a frame to allow you to lie upside down in an effort to decompress the back and find pain relief. Before you buy an inversion table and begin a therapy regimen, talk with your doctor about inversion therapy and how to invert properly for the best results and the highest degree of safety. MayoClinic.com says this process does not provide lasting relief for back pain.
Significance
Upside-down back therapy using an inversion table is said to help reduce the limiting and damaging effects of gravity on your spine, according to the book "Hanging Out for the Health of It." The author, chiropractor Carlos M. Gonzalez, warns that gravity is one of the most detrimental forces acting on your body. As you go about your daily activities, that same gravity compresses your spine, which can lead to water loss in the disks in your spine. This is part of the cause of daily back pain. Inversion therapy helps reduce the effects of gravity to decompress the spine.
Program
If your chiropractor has suggested inversion therapy as an option, you'll need to buy a table or make arrangements to use one at your chiropractor's office. One of the easiest mistakes to make when you begin inversion therapy is inverting too far. You'll find that you can reap the benefits of inversion therapy by inverting as little as 15 degrees, according to Spine Universe. You can increase your inversion as your body becomes used to the movement, but you likely won't need to invert past 60 degrees.
Advantages
As long as you're healthy enough for inversion therapy, it can help your health and body. Inversion therapy only takes a few minutes per day. Because you may experience a rushing of blood to the head, it's best to limit your inversion to less than 15 to 30 minutes, or as your chiropractor has instructed. In those few minutes, you should experience a reduction in back pain, a mild stretch and even improved circulation of the body.
Disadvantages
Inversion therapy is not for everyone. If you aren't healthy enough to use an inversion table, you and your chiropractor can work together to find other solutions for your pain. The Mayo Clinic warns that while inverted, your heart beats slower and your blood pressure increases. This means that inversion therapy may not be appropriate if you suffer from cardiovascular disease or eye pressure. Inverting too far for too long can also lead to dizziness or a faint feeling when you're finished inverting, so always take your time acclimating to a standing position before you release yourself from the table.
References
- "e a Day to a Healthier, Happier, & Longer Life": Carlos M Gonzalez; 2008
- Spine Universe: Turning Back Pain and Sciatica Upside Down
- Mayo Clinic: Inversion Therapy
