Back Pain Inversion Table

A back pain inversion table is designed to improve posture and increase circulation. They are also thought to decompress spinal discs by eliminating the usual gravitational pressure off the legs and spine. The pain relief process used by these machines is traction. This means to use weight to create more space between the vertebrae. This form of treatment is usually recommended for those with herniated disc problems or degenerative disc disease.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion Therapy is thousands of years old. It has been used throughout history to treat many diseases and pain conditions. Inversion therapy should begin with a short duration of only 5 minutes, once a day. Once the body is used to being upside-down, then the time can be increased up to 20 minutes, twice a day. The angle of inversion should also start out small and grow as the body gets used to the treatment.

Many back pain patients have reported some short term relief from using an inversion table. A fair number of these patients have also reported significant pain in their backs upon returning to an upright position. Inversion table manufacturers warn to slowly return to an upright position. This avoids shocking the spine as the weight load shifts to the normal gravitational position.

Back Pain Inversion Table Equipment

Inversion tables come in 2 basic forms, motorized and manual. The actual designs vary and the price to own one ranges from about $100 on the low end, to over $10,000 for a full featured motorized version. There are also inversion chairs and rack systems, complete with inversion boots. Of course, assembly is usually required�

Back Pain Inversion Table Warnings

Inversion therapy may be dangerous to those suffering from hypertension, heart disease, glaucoma or other eye disorders. Pregnant woman should not invert.

Bottom Line on Back Pain Inversion Tables a/k/a Don't Leave Me Hangin'...

I have tried inversion therapy myself, but not just for back pain specifically. I have used inversion combined with exercise, to build abdominal muscles. I quit using inversion all together after noticing some tenderness in my back and simply not seeing any noticeable improvement in my abs, compared to normal exercise. Inversion might be a better option for those patients suffering from poor lower body circulation and varicose veins.

If you feel like a thrill and want to try an inversion table to treat your back pain, I would advise you to be careful and have supervision. There are safety features in the tables, but you don�t want to be hurt and hanging upside down all alone�
Back Pain Inversion Table to Lower Back Pain Home 6/3/06 Revised 6/28/08