Can an Inversion Table Really Relieve My Back Pain?

Many people with chronic back pain can find relief by implementing inversion table therapy into their daily routine. Back pain is in my opinion the worst type of pain there is; nothing matches it. I injured my back 5 weeks ago just picking up my two-year-old boy. I haven’t been able to exercise until just a few days ago. You might call me a pansy, but really anyone is susceptible to it. So what to do about back pain. I’ve been looking into back inversion tables and I’m convinced they work. An inversion therapy table can decompress, re-hydrate, and realign your spine, relieving pain and improving your quality of life. It’s noninvasive (back surgery is something most people aren’t excited about), and relatively inexpensive compared to physical therapy and surgery. It’s definitely worth looking into.

So what does an inversion table do? It uses the force of gravity to decompress your spine, and allows your vertebral muscles to relax. As you lay upside down or almost upside down, 60 degrees is optimal according to some studies (Nachemson, Alf, et al. Intravital Dynamic Pressure Measurements in lumbar discs), you eliminate the effect of gravity compressing your spine. Over time your vertebral discs, which are made of soft tissue, can compress, bulge, herniate, or even degenerate. Inversion tables open up the vertebral disc spaces and allow the discs to re-hydrate. This can prolong the life of the discs and alleviate pain caused by nerve compression.

Gravity inversion tables also allow your muscles in your spine to relax. Often, back pain is caused by compressed nerves, and your body tries to compensate and alleviate the pain by activating certain muscle groups. When I hurt my back that’s what happened. Because of how I pinched a nerve, my psoas muscle freaked out which literally took me down to the floor. What did my doctor prescribe me? Flexisil, a muscle relaxant. An inversion table, regularly used, can help relax those muscles that are actually causing some of your discomfort.

Teeter Inversion Tables is one of the major brand leaders in the technology/industry. I’ll write a little later about some of the best tables out there. I still haven’t had the chance to check most of them out. But know that there are many different brands and types out there. So you can find one that fits your budget and that you’re comfortable with. Also, inversion therapy isn’t for everyone. Before you start, talk with your doctor and make sure it’s alright. Here’s a link to some of the contraindications. Overall, inversion therapy tables are a great way to keep your back healthy and your muscles relaxed, allowing you to enjoy activities that chronic back pain usually takes away from you.