Are Inversions Tables Effective?

Chances are good that you stumbled upon this post because you’re in need of back pain therapy and someone you know has been raving about inversion therapy. Those glowing reviews made you wonder if inversion therapy is truly that wonderful and how you could get your hands on your very own inversion table…right?

The truth is that inversion tables do work and you can get an inversion table that you can use in the comfort and privacy of your own home. But it isn’t quite as simple as getting a table, reading the instruction manual and getting started.

The reason you’re confused and have no knowledge of inversion therapy and tables is that many physicians and physical therapists have been dismissing the effectiveness of this form of pain therapy. Despite the long history of success, many in the medical community are reluctant to recommend inversion therapy.

Why?

The simple answer is that inversion therapy has not been proven effective for long term pain relief. But that’s only part of the answer as there are many other well-known and widely accepted treatments that don’t provide relief for longer than a few hours. For example, how long does your pain relief last after a visit to the chiropractor? Do you feel good for weeks after a therapeutic massage or acupuncture session? Probably not.

Another plausible reason for the medical community basically ignoring this viable treatment form is fear. There are some disadvantages of inversion therapy for some patients. Patients with glaucoma, heart disease or high blood pressure are advised against using an inversion table because the inverted position reduced heartbeat, which can increase your blood pressure.

Although these risks are mostly associated with patients who are inverted more than 60%, this risk tends to scare many physicians.

But you don’t need to simply look at anecdotal evidence to find instances of inversion therapy success. A New Castle University study recently found that more than 70% of back pain patients were able to cancel a scheduled surgery after a few sessions of inversion therapy.

Inversion tables are not a cure-all however and it is important that patients remember that. Inversion therapy is most effective when it is part of a combined effort that treats the pain, the symptoms as well as the underlying causes for the pain.

Inversion Tables

Most patients become excited about the prospect of inversion therapy when they realize they can actually do it at home. This is another benefit of inversion therapy but you should keep in mind that your own table and internet research is no substitute for professional guidance.

Whether the sessions are not covered by your insurance or you simply are unable to find the time to visit a doctor’s office during regular business hours, you should still make an effort for several schedule businesses before doing it on your own. Your physical therapist will gradually increase the angle throughout treatment, and many patients will never be fully inverted because it isn’t required.

You may need assistance getting on the inversion table and angling the table once you’re on it. To overcome this, we recommend that you get help in this aspect. Trying to do it on your own can risk further injury to your back.

Before you begin a long period of time on your inversion table, you need to make sure you are able to relax on the table. Those new to inversion therapy find it difficult to relax on the table and they hold their breath and remain tense on the table. This is the worst thing you can do as it places more pressure, rather than less, on the spine.

If you are suffering from any type of back, neck or sciatic pain I highly recommend you try inversion therapy.

Use the links below to learn more about inversion therapy:

Inversion Therapy Benefits

Inversion Tables

Inversion Table Reviews and Comparisons

Best Selling Inversion Table