Some people swear by inversion tables to help relieve pain, especially back pain, but their effectiveness on leg pain is less researched. Using an inversion table probably won't harm most healthy people, but it's not a proven treatment for any condition. Any form of physical therapy should be prescribed by a doctor and provided by a qualified therapist.
Definition
Inversion tables are one variety of inversion therapy, a system that theoretically stretches the spine and removes gravitational pressure off your nerve roots and spinal disks. An inversion table starts off flat, like a bench, and gradually tips you upside down for a period of time. Other types of inversion therapy include full-body suspension from a horizontal bar and inversion frames that flex your hips and knees.
Leg Pain Causes
Leg pain doesn't always originate in the leg itself. Back problems such as sciatica and herniated disks often manifest themselves as pain in one or both legs. A 1985 study by Howard Vernon, James Meschino and Joseph Naiman of the California Chiropractic Association found that inversion therapy has an effect on the lower back muscles, but not on those in the pelvic, hip or hamstring regions. If the cause of your leg pain is based in those areas, inversion therapy might not be as helpful as in cases where the pain originates from a spinal problem.
Drawbacks
Research on spinal traction, the theory behind inversion therapy, has found it ineffective for long-term pain relief. Some people do get short-term relief from inversion therapy as part of a comprehensive program to treat certain types of pain. You should not use an inversion table if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or glaucoma, as inversion therapy slows your heart rate and increases your blood pressure.
Alternatives
The treatment for your leg pain should be based on the cause. For example, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat sciatica, a nerve condition that can cause leg pain. Other conditions may require rest and different forms of medication or therapy. Chiropractic care is another alternative to consider, and surgery may be required to correct some chronic conditions.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Does Inversion Therapy Relieve Back Pain? Is it Safe?; Randy A. Shelerud, M.D.
- "Journal of the CCA"; Inversion Therapy: A Study of Physiological Effects; Howard Vernon et al.; September 1985
- MayoClinic.com: Leg Pain
- MayoClinic.com: Sciatica -- Treatments and Drugs
- Spine Health: Doctor Perspectives: Chiropractors Discuss Spinal Decompression for Back Pain; Sylvia Martin; Nov. 8, 2010
