Managing Chronic Back Problems Through The Correct Use Of Inversion Therapy

Many types of pain that result from bone and joint problems including chronic back pain are a problem for nearly all people at some point in the course of their adult lives. If you’re one of the unfortunate individuals afflicted with back discomfort almost constantly, this may be the appropriate time to discard the prescriptions and the non-prescription pain relievers, in favor of an unconventional treatment method called body inversion therapy.

Inversion therapy necessitates that you hang upside-down (inverted) from a support such as an inversion table to help to stretch and straighten your spine. Theoretically, when gravity pulls down on your head and body it can decompress the spine as gravity has caused compression in your spine while you have been right side up throughout your day.

You body is controlled by nerves which run from your brain, through your spinal cord and throughout the rest of your body. If there is pressure on any of those nerves or if they are twisted because your spine is in a state of compression or misalignment, the messages that normally pass through the brain to other parts of the body through the system of nerves won’t be delivered accurately and you could be more apt to feel pain and experience other health concerns. While inversion therapy isn’t likely to cure any serious back problems it can help to alleviate pain and provide some preventative maintenance to a healthy back.

A standard inversion table features a revolving board with fasteners in which to insert the feet, for the purpose of obtaining an inverted, or upside down position. The user positions his legs in the foot holds and tightens them, placing his back against the table platform. He then slowly tilts himself so his body is horizontal and then continues to a fully inverted position. Most inversion tables will tilt beyond vertical with the intention that the user can hang by his feet without touching the platform. After spending a few moments upside down you will then begin to slowly move back toward an upright orientation. Most of the time, inversion tables make inversion therapy easier and safer than with other types of apparatus.

When purchasing this equipment, your primary consideration needs to be safety, meaning that the apparatus needs to be constructed securely. The worst possible scenario you can imagine would be reaching the crucial inverted position, and then having the steel base give way and land on top of you. Your inversion table must be built of thick, rigid metal but shouldn’t be so bulky and heavy that it is impossible to move if you need to. It is also essential that you will not experience discomfort as you are suspended in the inverted position, so look into the construction of the leg attachments. If you’re intending to utilize the completely inverted position supported solely by the feet, be sure there is a locking device for safety.

Popping pills for your back pain will only temporarily ease the discomfort, it won’t fix the underlying problem. Using a back stretching machine such as an inversion table is a much better approach. It will decompress your spine and relieve the pressure on the vertebral discs. Many people find great results with these appliances.