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What is Inversion Therapy?

Inversion table

Inversion table

Severe back pain can be debilitating and limit freedom of movement. Spinal vertebrae may become misaligned which causes nerves to become compressed. Since nerves are the body’s channels of communication, compression, or ‘pinching’, interferes with signaling throughout the body. This can lead to pain and malfunction. Sitting or standing places pressure on the vertebrae. Inversion therapy seeks to relieve the pressure which may lead to pain relief.

Inversion can be achieved by use of an inversion table that positions the patient on an incline with the head at the bottom and feet at the top. Some tables can hold the person vertically, upside-down. Another device, known as ‘gravity boots,’ allows a person to hang by the feet. These methods are forms of spinal decompression or spinal traction that can provide pain relief without the need for more expensive equipment, surgery, or drugs with potentially harmful side effects.

Many people have received positive results from inversion therapy. Nevertheless, you should be cautious when beginning any new exercise or stretching program. Depending on your individual situation, your chiropractor may recommend some form of decompression therapy, manual adjustments, targeted exercises and nutritional modification or supplementation to help reduce specific symptoms.

Not everyone should try inversion therapy. This includes pregnant women, those with high blood pressure, certain eye diseases, heart problems, or acid reflux. According to Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson, inversion therapy can increase blood pressure, eye pressure, and may lower heart rate. Some patients have reported side effects from inversion therapy including a worsening of existing symptoms or the appearance of new ones.

Before trying inversion therapy, you should know: It’s important to receive a complete evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about back pain treatment. Back pain is caused by a wide variety of factors. An experienced chiropractor can help you understand your specific situation and discuss the potential benefits and risks of a variety of treatment choices.

Patients suffering from the same condition can respond differently to the same treatment. For this reason, it’s usually a good idea to avoid committing to any particular treatment plan (particularly those that are expensive or long-term) until you know how your own body will respond. Your chiropractor will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as required.

While some types of back pain treatment pose greater risks than others (surgery and drugs certainly have their own potential side effects), even relatively low-risk manual or mechanical therapies can cause problems when not performed properly.

Having a herniated disc and back pain does not necessarily mean that a person will benefit from inversion therapy. To determine whether you are a candidate for inversion therapy you should be evaluated by a qualified doctor.

Be wary of media marketing and always remember that back pain is an individual problem. When it comes to resolving health challenges, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. If you are considering any type of traction or decompression therapy, including inversion, be sure to check with your chiropractor first.

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