Degeneration and compression of the intervertebral disks of the spine, usually caused by the long-term effects of gravity, are common causes of cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve. Nonsurgical intervention and management of the condition, such as through the use of inversion tables, generally focuses on stretching the spine to decompress the spinal disks, thus removing pressure of those disks on surrounding spinal nerves. Though likely not a permanent solution to cervical radiculopathy, inversion therapy can be an important component of symptom management.
Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy
Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy begin in the neck. Pain upon neck movement, deep pain around the area of the shoulder blade and pain that radiates out to the arm are all effects of cervical radiculopathy. Sometimes worse during the night, exacerbation of the symptoms can also occur during sudden movements, such as coughing or sneezing, and after a period of standing or sitting. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve within your spine, you may also experience otherwise unexplained weakness of a particular muscle.
Relief From Using an Inversion Table
Ironically, inversion tables use the same gravitational force that causes spinal cord compression. However, because you are upside down, or inverted, during inversion therapy, that force works in an opposite manner. During inversion, gravity, in combination with the weight of your body, allows your spine to lengthen and stretch. The spaces between each vertebra widen, resulting in minimization of disk compression and relief of pain. Improvements in pain diminish over time, as your spine recompresses. However, additional inversion sessions upon the onset of pain will help you manage symptoms over time.
Suggestions for Use
For most people, inversion therapy takes some getting used to initially. It is important to begin slowly, assess how your body tolerates inversion and build up your tolerance to the therapy over time. The goal of inversion therapy is not necessarily to lengthen the time you invert. Instead, the goal is to use inversion therapy as often and for as long as is necessary for you to observe maximum relief of your symptoms. If you push yourself too far too fast, you run the risk of actually increasing your back discomfort.
Contraindications
Before beginning the use of an inversion table, talk to your doctor regarding contraindications. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, circulatory diseases, pregnancy and glaucoma. Other conditions that are dangerous in combination with inversion are a history of previous stroke, obesity, recent fractures and ventral or hiatal hernias. Your doctor can give you a comprehensive list of potential contraindications and assess whether or not using an inversion table is right for you.
