Inversion Tables: Do They Work

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in adults these days. Back pain can be very discomforting, as it does not allow one to do daily chores and hence, people are in search of the best back pain reliever. Spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, lumbar osteoarthritis and coccygodynia, these are some of the spine problems, which give rise to back pain. Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, tractions, etc are some of the treatments provided for back pain. It has been observed, that any treatment provided for back pain, does not show long lasting effects. Inversion therapy is one such treatment, whose implementation has always been a question of debate.

Inversion therapy
Inversion therapy is an age old technique of relieving back pain. This therapy originated somewhere around in early 400 BC. It consists of hanging the body upside down or at an elevated angle. Back pain is caused due to compression of the discs present in the spine. The position of the body in inversion therapy is believed to reduce the back pain because it decompresses the spine. The spine relaxes due to the inverted position and since, the stress on the spine is reduced, it eventually reduces the back pain. There are a number of ways to implement the inversion therapy. These include, head-first suspension, inversion frames and inversion table.

Inversion Tables: Do They Work
Inversion tables are customized tables, used to implement inversion therapy. These are also used as exercise equipments. One can keep the body in an upside down position by laying on an inversion table. The body hangs down through the table with feet supported by an assembly, at one end of the inversion table. These tables can be adjusted to various angles and most of the patients have found it beneficial when the table is partially tilted. The time to be spent on the inversion table is directly proportional to the angle of the table. Lesser the angle more is the time required for relieving back pain. Every inversion table manufacturer has a set of warning associated with it. People who should not use inversion tables include:

• Heart disease patients
• High blood pressure patients
• Pregnant ladies
• Eye disorder or glaucoma patients

The promoters of inversion table state the following inversion table benefits:

• Reduces back pain
• Increases flexibility
• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces muscle pain
• Relieve stress and motion sickness

Though these are the benefits of using inversion tables, most of the benefits are temporary. In fact, some users have experienced sudden back pain after getting back to upright position. According to a survey, 155 out of 175 people, who used inversion tables for back pain could get back to their work. Not everyone who uses inversion table is benefited. If not used in a proper method, it can cause some serious spine problem, due to injury. If inversion table has helped an individual to relieve back pain, it is not that it will benefit other person also. Thus, inversion tables good or bad, is always a query.

I hope the article has helped to solve the query, 'Inversion tables do they work?'. Inversion tables should always be used by consulting a physician. Use of inversion table is very dangerous for hypertension patients. Before using an inversion table, read the manual provided by the manufacturer and always be under supervision while using the inversion table. See, that you do not hurt yourself while hanging on the inversion table. The bottom line is, talk to your doctor about using inversion table as a back pain reliever.