Inversion tables may offer temporary relief of symptoms caused by spinal stenosis. This medical condition occurs when your spinal column narrows, placing pressure on your spinal cord and spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis affects the neck and lower back more than any other part of the spine. Depending on the nerves affected this condition you may experience numbness, tingling, poor coordination or pain in your back, neck and extremities. Consult your physician prior to using an inversion table for spinal stenosis.
Inversion Tables
Inversion tables theoretically take the gravitational pressure off the nerve roots compressed by spinal stenosis and increase the space between your vertebrae. They provide a form of spinal traction, or constant stretching of the spine, in an attempt to decompress the nerves and relieve nerve pain and pressure. Some inversion tables allow you to invert your entire body in a standing position, while others allow you to keep your knees bend and hips flexed. Consult your doctor to determine which type of inversion table to use.
Benefits of Inversion
Inversion tables provide the most benefits for those with spinal stenosis of the lower back, advises Dr. Robert Hayden, a chiropractor who runs a private practice in Griffin, Ga. and who also suffers from spinal stenosis. He states that inversion only provides temporary relief from spinal stenosis symptoms. This relief may last from 15 minute to two days. He states "Inversion provides a conservative, safe and cost effective treatment patients can use to control their own care." However, some patients fail to see any benefits.
Contraindications
While inversion tables may provide temporary relief to most patients, they may also do more harm than good. Hayden states that people with degenerative fractures, cardiac conditions or gastric reflux should avoid inversion tables. "If your spinal stenosis has caused spinal instability or has neural involvement, stretching the spine through inversion can cause increased symptoms", warns Dr. Rick Delamarter, the vice chair for Spine Services at the Department of Surgery and medical director at the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Both doctors emphasize the need of a chiropractic evaluation prior to the use of inversion tables for spinal stenosis.
Procedure
After having your spine evaluated, strap yourself safely onto the inversion table as described in your owners manual. Slowly incline your table until you reach a maximum incline of 20 to 30 degrees. If you feel faint, reduce the incline. Remain at your maximum incline for 5 to 10 minutes. After remaining at your maximum incline for a week or two, increase your incline by 5 degrees every couple of days until you reach a 45- to 60-degree incline. The frequency of incline ranges from twice a week to twice a day. Consult your doctor to determine the best frequency for you.
References
- Dr. Dr. Robert Hayden; Private Practice; Griffin, Ga
- Dr. Rick Delamarter; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Los Angeles, Ca.
- MayoClinic.com: Inversion Therapy
- MayoClinic.com: Spinal Stenosis
