Injury to the back and the associated back pain are some of the most commonly occurring problems in health across the United States according to the MayoClinic.com. The use of an inversion table has been implicated as a possible tool to help alleviate some of these conditions. An inversion table uses the power of gravity to stretch and reduce the pressure in the spine.
Types
There are manual and motorized inversion tables. The manual table requires you to be harnessed to the machine, and then someone must rotate the machine so that you are suspended upside down. A motorized inversion table requires that you be strapped to the machine and then a button is pushed so that the machine inverts you so that your head lies close to the floor and your heels face the ceiling.
Maneuvers
There are two common maneuvers that are utilized in conjunction with the inversion table. The first maneuver is that standard hang. During the standard hang, you simply lay flat so that your spine is directly perpendicular to the floor. The other maneuver is the inversion table twist. During this maneuver, you are placed into the hanging position and then you rotate your trunk to one side, grip the machine and pull. This particular exercise challenges the range of motion at the spine while alleviating spinal pressure from this position.
Benefits
The MayoClinic.com suggests that use of an inversion table may decrease the pressure between your vertebrae, which may release any pain associated with pinched spinal nerves. The opening up of these vertebrae has also been suggested to increased blood flow to the spinal region which has the potential to increase recovery from certain back conditions like a hernia; however, a doctor's prescription for this type of recovery protocol is required before its implementation in a rehab program.
Considerations
The use of inversion tables for addressing back issues may not be suitable for all individuals, and you should consult with your doctor to ensure that using an inversion table is safe for your specific back condition. The inversion table causes the head to be lower than the heart when in use. This can cause a dramatic rise in cranial pressure due to gravity pulling the blood down; therefore, individuals who are predisposed to stroke or who have hypertension need to be especially cautious when using an inversion table.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Inversion Therapy --- Can It Relieve Back Pain?
- United States Department of Veteran Affairs: Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain --- A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society
- Inversion Tables: Inversion Information
- MayoClinic.com: Back Pain --- Definition
- The Healthy Back Institute: 7 Reasons Everyone with Back Pain Should Consider Inversion Therapy
- The Sports Injury Clinic: Inversion Therapy
