Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by having one or more of the areas of the spine smaller than it should be. Lumbar spinal stenosis may be congenital, or it can be acquired from other conditions such as degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc or osteoarthritis. Inversion therapy, essentially hanging partially or completely upside down, is designed to aid in decompression where appropriate. Speak to your doctor before starting an inversion therapy program.
Lumbar Stenosis Diagnosis
Your doctor will most likely prescribe an MRI to determine exactly where and how the stenosis has come to root itself in your lumbar region. In severe cases, the narrowed area can lead to pressure on spinal nerve roots leading to pain, tingling and numbness in the legs and feet, as well as bladder problems. For some, rest is the prescription, allowing swelling and the body's natural healing abilities to work. In extreme situations, surgery may be required to remove underlying conditions leading to stenosis.
Precautions
Until your doctor tells you that inversion therapy is okay, refrain from starting. Those with glaucoma, hernia, osteoporosis, heart disease or spinal injuries should not engage in inversion therapy, according to Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic. In addition, he explains that inversion therapy may provide short-term relief from back pain, but that the effectiveness of inversion therapy for long-term relief for stenosis has not been proven in scientific studies. Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D., writes in "The Harvard Health Newsletters" that inversion therapy is similar to spinal traction, which pulls muscles and ligaments and may temporarily relieve muscle spasms and back pain. However, she recommends inversion therapy only as one part of comprehensive treatment for lumbar stenosis.
Rationale
The spine has an "S shape" designed to support and move the body using the bones as structure, discs as cushions and the many muscles, tendons and ligaments as support. Any and every activity you perform upright, whether sitting or standing, allows gravity to push down on the spine and its components. This alone creates compression. Combine gravity with strenuous workouts, lack of exercise or other stressors, and compression can lead to stiffness, pain and nerve impingement. Inversion therapy puts gravity to work in reverse, increasing blood flow, reducing stress on the spine and and decompressing in general.
Method
There is no specified time limit for how long you should stay inverted. However, the general rule, according to Julie Deardorff in a "Chicago Tribune" article, is the steeper the incline, the shorter the inversion time should be. Inversion tables give you the control to invert at a comfortable angle so you don't have to get completely upside down to get the benefits of inversion. Start with a 15-degree angle to test the effects; you may not need more than this. According to Spine Universe, a 60-degree angle works for most patients seeking inversion benefits. For athletes, the Sports Injury Clinic recommends inverting for short periods of time two to three times per day. For most, inversion for five to 10 minutes a couple of times a week is enough to stimulate blood flow and reduce gravitational stress.
Dealing with Stenosis
Lumbar stenosis is not a condition that gets better on its own. The underlying condition must be addressed in order to become free of the stenosis. Inversion therapy approved as part of your physical therapy program may help alleviate symptoms and possible flareups associated with lumbar stenosis; however the relief may only be a short-term increase in pain relief. Those new to inversion therapy should always do it under proper supervision to reduce risk of complications. Over time, an experienced, healthy inverter can perform inversion routines at home to alleviate stenosis symptoms.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Does Inversion Therapy Relieve Back Pain; Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
- "Chicago Tribune"; Julie Deardorff; Inversion Gains Traction; April 16, 2007
- SportsInjuryClinic.net: Inversion Therapy
- Spine-Health; Chronic Neck Pain; John Heller, M.D.
- Spine Universe; Turning Back Pain and Sciatica Upside Down; Susan Spinasanta
- Harvard Health Newsletters: "Do Inversion Tables Work?"; Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D.
