Inversion Therapy for Back Pain: FAQs

In this post, let's cover some of the more common questions about using inversion therapy for back pain.

What is inversion therapy?
An inversion table is commonly used in back pain inversion therapy.  The table allows you to lie on your back in a relaxed position.  You can then use the table to position yourself in varying degrees of inversion, even in an upside down position if you feel comfortable with that position.  Most inversion tables provide a more gradual tilt for individuals that don't feel comortable in a complete upside down position. 

What are the main benefits of back pain inversion therapy?
Inversion therapy can help bring back pain relief due to effect of spinal decompression. Because most back pain sufferers only acheive short-term back pain relief, inversion therapy is usually a longer-term therapy since one or two inversion therapy sessions will not completely treat back pain permanently. 

Are there any risks to using inversion therapy?
Yes.  In fact, people with certain medical conditions can put themselves at risk when using inversion therapy for back pain.  These individuals should check with their medical professionals before undergoing any type of inversion therapy for back pain.  See a partial list of medical conditions that can put you at risk when using inversion tables for back pain.  You can click here to review the list.

Treating Back Pain With Inversion Therapy?

One of the main benefits to using inversion therapy for back pain is that it allows the spine to decompress.  Spinal decompression causes the space between each disc space to increase. 

And this process is key to allowing the discs to regain lost fluid, also called disc rehydration. 

During inversion therapy for back pain, the other benefit is that the muscles and ligaments near the spine are stretched and lengthened.  This can help reduce muscle spasms that can aggravate the spine and cause back pain.

Other benefits to treating back pain with inversion therapy include an increase in flexibility as well as increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Although many back pain sufferers have experienced relief from back pain and use inversion therapy as a regular part of their back pain treatment, it is really important to point out that inversion therapy should not be used by individuals with certain medical conditions.

Please read this post to see which medical conditions have been advised by medical professionals as unsafe for back pain inversion table therapy.

Also, be sure to check with your medical professional before undergoing any type of back pain inversion therapy.

Sources:

"Turning exercise on its head with inversion therapy." Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL). April 20, 2007 pNA.

"By the way, doctor: Do inversion tables work?" Harvard Women's Health Watch 1 Nov. 2009. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 20 Jan. 2010. .