Inversion Tables for Back Pain Relief – Are they Effective?

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inversion-table-back-painWith over 31 million Americans dealing with chronic back pain at any given moment, relief is necessary. Those who suffer from this ailment are turning to inversion tables for back pain relief. Inversion therapy has been shown to help alleviate some of the pain by decompressing the back. While it is not ideal for everyone, those who suffer from disc compression can benefit.

Why Spinal Decompression is Necessary

Gravity is always working on your body, pulling it down. Over time, this can result in the discs in the spine pressing together and causing pain. There are a number of health issues that can cause discomfort, including the spine being out of alignment.

When you reverse the gravitational pull on your body, it allows your spine to stretch out and fit back into position. This is often referred to as spinal traction. The result is a short term reduction in pain.

How Inversion Tables Work

An inversion table is a fairly simple way of reversing the gravitational pull on your body. It consists of a support and a table section that can pivot around a central support bar. You start out in a standing position and gradually pivot the table until it is flat and then begins to angle your head downward.

To prevent slippage, most inversion tables have ankle cuffs that lock around your ankles to hold you in place. The rest of your body hangs free to allow for complete freedom of movement. Some tables use bars to hook your feet on.

Most people find it easiest to start with a slight angle, but you can gradually increase this over time. The table may be tilted to a 180° angle to allow your body to hang directly from the ankle clamps.

To gain even more benefits from the table, you can do exercises. Try upside down sit-ups and twists to increase flexibility and stretch out the muscles. This can also help keep your back properly aligned.

Who Should Use Inversion Therapy

This type of therapy is not ideal for every person who suffers from chronic back pain. If you have high blood pressure, you will want to consult your doctor first. It’s always a good idea to have someone nearby the first few times you try inversion, just in case you need help.

If you are in need of realignment every month or two, inversion therapy may be useful. It may be necessary to stick with a slight angle to begin with and increase it as your tolerance builds up.

Inversion tables for back pain are available for home use and can be quite affordable. Many chiropractors offer inversions, as well, but it can be far more expensive to see a doctor every time you need an adjustment. Since the effect is not usually permanent, it can be helpful to have a table in your own home.

Other Benefits of Inversion Tables

In addition to realigning your spine and decompressing it, you will find that there are other health benefits to inversion therapy, as well.

Hanging upside down or even on an angle can improve your posture considerably. This will result in better overall bone and muscle health. Your circulation will also improve.

Some people report being more alert, as well. This could be due to the extra oxygen being pumped into the brain while the body is upside down.

An inversion table can help you regain the mobility you once had and temporarily reduce the pain in your back. However, these tables are also very useful when it comes to improving your general health. You can easily set one up in your own home and enjoy spinal traction on your own.

If you are interested in using an inversion table to help with back pain relief, check out our comprehensive guide and inversion table reviews here.

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