An inversion table is used for inversion therapy, which is sometimes recommended for patients who have back problems. These could range from lower back pains, sciatica, scoliosis, etc.
This table literally inverts the whole body of the patient, hanging them upside down. Due to this, the gravity pull on the body shifts and the pressure taken by the back is said to be lifted.
Many doctors and therapists believe that inverting a body and relieving the back temporarily from the pulls of gravity can help align the spine and cure many problems. It also helps a great deal with blood circulation.
However, many do believe that there are better ways to fix these health problems. Studies and tests have been done concerning inversion therapy and they never really provided any solid evidence.
So, the big question is, does inversion therapy help, and how dependable is it?
It is believed that inversion therapy helps;
- Create more protective fluid around spinal discs.
- Decrease inflammation.
- Remove waste from the spine.
- Increase blood circulation.
Benefits of Inversion Tables
People who practice inversion therapy have a great deal of faith in it. They think that not only does it heal intense back pains, it is a long term solution for many other health issues, too.
Added to that, it helps with posture, as it aligns and straightens out the spine. Plus, the pull it creates provides traction to the lower back.
Studies have been conducted on how well the use of inversion table for therapy benefits the body. Here are some of the results:
1. Reduces Back Pain
Inversion tables are often used for back problems and some studies were done to see how effective they were for it. One study included 47 people with back pains of varying levels but mostly those that are very serious.
For several weeks, they went through inversion therapy, especially, testing out different angles at a time. Eventually, the doctors did notice a difference!
Within 8 weeks, the back pains had reduced drastically and the patients even had better flexibility and torso strength.
The study proved that inversion therapy at a 60 degree angle will definitely work wonders for chronic back pains. It was also determined that certain specific angles are best for specific types of therapy, like 60 degree is for back pain.
2. Improves Spinal Health
The spine is made up of disc-shaped bones placed one after the other in a line, with equal spaces between each disc. The spaces consist of spinal fluid, which help the discs work together.
Thus, the spine must always retain even spaces between each disc. If somehow with pressure, or an accident, the spinal discs loose that even spacing, extreme back pain occurs. Different sorts of movement can cause the discs to be displaced, the vertebra to collapse, and back pains could ensue from that.
Using inversion tables is said to relieve all these problems. It fixes many issues faced by the spine, from realigning it, to fixing displaced discs. The “pulling of the table” and “gravity creation” and the “sudden lack of pressure” on the spine work together to bring it back to its original position.
While there are other beneficial exercises and treatments for back pain, inversion therapy is definitely one that is said to have worked on many people.
3. Lessens Need for Surgery
Many disabilities originate from problems in the spine. Fixing spinal issues can often revert these illnesses, helping the patient return to a normal, healthy life. Normally, this is done with spinal surgery, a complex, risky procedure that does not always work out.
Inversion therapy has proved to reduce compression of the spine due to its zero-gravity functions. A study has shown that because of this, the spine can often heal enough so that the disabilities caused by its problems, can heal too.
Another study found that patients with lumbar disease were greatly benefitted by inversion therapy. It was so helpful that six weeks of therapy decreased their necessity for surgery drastically.
Of course, while this treatment worked on many fortunate patients, it cannot be the only answer to all back problems. The human body is a complex system and what one patient has cannot be compared to the ailments of another.
Sometimes, surgery is the only option and if that is the case, it is best to get it over with.
4. Flexibility
Many people struggle with flexibility and hunched backs. Especially, in this modern age of computers and desk jobs, maintaining a good posture is very tough. We do classes sitting down, we work sitting down and we even spend hours of leisure sitting around watching something or hunched over our phones.
This weakens and compresses our spines a great deal, which in turn, leads to various health issues. Plus, this lack of movement causes people to have lower levels of flexibility. And that is needed for so many reasons.
Of course, there are exercises that strengthen your core and your spine. They even perfect your posture. But another easy way is to try inversion therapy. Of course, this will need a doctor or therapist’s counsel but it can help with better back strength.
Also, a strong spine automatically results in better flexibility. Since it takes on much of the pressure of the body, having a healthy spine in many ways ensures a healthy, flexible body.
You Can Also Read Here: Top 10 Best Inversion Table Reviews
Concluding Note
Back problems are not always so easy to understand and treat. There could be so many reasons behind back pain, from faulty spines to nutrition problems. So, as great as it may sound, don’t just get an inversion table at an impulse.
If you have problems, consult a doctor. Go to a good, trustworthy therapist who knows what he is doing. The back, and the rest of the body is very fragile. Leaving it up to a machine to fix won’t be wise. You will need someone who understands and has learned to work this contraption well.
Remember to get a yes from your doctor, and then, try inversion therapy. While many studies have confirmed its benefits, it may still not work too well for you. However, for many issues, this would be the perfect treatment to opt for.
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