Inversion therapy may relieve the pain caused by a pinched nerve in your neck. Unfortunately this relief is only temporary. Inversion tables are not an effective long-term treatment for spinal disorders, and may cause more harm than good, according to the experts at MayoClinic.com
Causes and Symptoms
Pinched nerves are caused by the compression of the nerves of your peripheral nervous system. This compression occurs with muscle tissue, ligaments, bone, tumors, or a buildup of various bodily fluids. Nerve compression is usually brought on by trauma, such as the kind suffered during a car accident, awkward movements, sports injuries or cancerous growths. Pinched nerves cause symptoms such as burning, shooting or tingling pain in the affected area. Muscles spasms, or weakness are also common signs of pinched nerves.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your physician will diagnose a pinched nerve after conducting a thorough physical examination. After the physical examination if a pinched nerve is suspected an MRI and electromyography may be ordered to confirm her suspicions. Pinched nerves are treated using anti-inflammatory medications, pain killers, physical therapy and in extreme cases surgery. Inversion therapy is not used as a treatment for pinched nerves.
Effects of Inversion Therapy
Inversion tables are devices that invert the body in an attempt to reverse the effects gravity has on your spine and its nerves. This inversion may temporarily relieve pressure on compressed nerves. The relief usually disappears within seconds or minutes after the inversion is reversed. In many cases pinched nerves in the cervical region are not caused by compression of spinal structures and inversion therapy will have no effect.
Dangers of Inversion
Inversion therapy may cause temporary relief to certain spinal ailments but it can cause permanent damage to other vital areas. According to the experts at MayoClinic.com, inversion therapy causes a rise in blood pressure, especially intracranial pressure. This often brings about an increased risk for stroke, heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. Inversion therapy also raises intraocular pressure, which may lead to damage in the structures of your eyes.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Inversion Therapy
- "Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology"; A.C. Guyton; 2002
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (16th edition)"; Lawrence Madoff et al; 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Pinched Nerve
