Long before we figured out benefits of using the inversion table benefits of using the inversion table for neck pain and its therapeutic effect, certain animals such as monkey and baboons were already using it to cure themselves. It is after decades of committed research that researchers, physical therapists, doctors, and physical trainers proved beyond reasonable doubt that inversion therapy has numerous health effects. With the use of inversion table for neck pain, many people can now make their life easier.
It involves positioning your body in such a way that your head is at a lower position to heart. In a nutshell, this exercise reverses the damaging effects of gravity and therefore one of the best inventions.
Neck pain and Inversion Table
Neck pain or stiffness is a common problem that many people experience. Whether young and old alike. Even though it is most common among the elderly. But as several types of research have proven over the years, inversion table therapy has improved neck and back pain treatment.
In a study published in 2012, patients with MRI suffering from lumbar disk herniation and awaiting surgery were put to trial. In this study, some patients were assigned to receive physical therapy for 6 weeks before surgery, while the rest were assigned to receive both physical therapy and inversion therapy within the same period.
This study considered lack of need for surgery after the trial as a success. The result showed that 77 percent of the patients that had been assigned to inversion table treatment didn’t need to go for surgery anymore after the six weeks period. Only 22 percent of the patients who had received physical therapy alone no longer needed to go for surgery.
There is another interesting study by an orthopedic physical therapist at Back Pain Relief Centre in Kentucky, going by the name of Malton Schexneider. He has been getting successful results using inversion table treatment on herniated discs. It is even more interesting when he points out that preparing your neck first before inversion therapy to treat herniated discs will get you the best results. According to the therapist, you have to warm the muscles up first before you engage your neck on a 10-20-minute inversion therapy.
How Inversion Table Works In Treating Neck Pain
Many people around the world suffer from neck pain condition. One of the causes of neck pain is a condition known as Cervical Spinal Stenosis. It causes spinal cord in your neck vertebrae narrows. It becomes compressed until they press on the soft tissues and nerves in the neck to cause stiffness or pain that can radiate from your neck to the shoulders down to your back.
This condition is often caused by thickening of the ligaments in the neck or due to osteoarthritic destruction to the cartilage. Good news is, by using inversion table treatment a few minutes a day, these two main causes of neck pain can be eased or even reversed. It works well to relieve the pressure built on the vertebrae of your neck through the use of force of gravity. Inversion table helps to widen the space between the vertebrae so that blood and spinal fluid can move more freely, hence easing the pain and restoring mobility.
With regular use, your chances of avoiding neck pain and the many problems that come along with it are considerably heightened. To experience the full benefits of inversion table for neck pain, you don’t necessarily have to fully invert 90 degrees from the start. Instead, you can start at around 25 degrees to 30 degrees depending on your comfort. 60 degrees is often the maximum point for most people before they can get full relief.
Here is an interesting video uploaded on youube related to this:
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjexU3dYwz4″]
How To Use Inversion Table for Neck Pain
With just a few steps to keep note of and follow, your table will be safe and ready for use. First, you need to secure it in a large space with a flat surface. It is also empirical that you check all the joints, pivot points and straps to ensure that they are properly connected to avert any chances of injuries during the table treatment session. You do this every time you want to use the table. Go through the instruction manual and read it thoroughly to help you understand your table in length.
General Steps
Since the table will be supporting your weight, you need to be sure that there is nothing you are doing wrong. This will also help you stay confident and bold all through the exercise. Put on sporty shoes before you step into the table. Never use it with bare feet because doing so will only expose you to discomfort and even serious injuries. Athletic shoes give you an additional support to ensure both your comfort and safety throughout the exercise. Step onto the table and pull up the lever to lock your feet into place.
Put the strap across your body and lock it like a seatbelt to secure your body into place and to avoid slipping when the table is inverted. Also, make sure you put to use all the safety components before you start using the inversion table. Lying with you back on the table, you grasp on the side straps and push them off to invert the table with your body on it.
You can begin with a small inversion like 25 to 30 degrees, then you gradually increase the degrees of your inversion. When you are in an inverted position, try twisting your neck slowly and gently and keep your hands above your head. This will help support spinal traction.
Whether inverting or coming back from the inversion to a horizontal position, take 1 to 2 minutes to get there. This is necessary because it let blood flow to adjust. Once you are done, get back to the original position and unlock all the harnesses to allow you to step out. You follow these steps every time you use an inversion table for neck pain. It is advisable that you do the exercise for at least five minutes, twice a day, to help your body get used to it.
Inversion Table Exercises For Neck Pain
At one point or another, you might experience neck pain. It could be from driving, wrong posture, sitting at the same position for long, using your computer and much more.
To ease the pain in your neck, you can engage in inversion therapy. It works amazingly well in decompressing your upper spine and neck and releases the tension that might have accumulated in the muscles. Check out these amazing inversion table exercises for neck pain.
Neck Stretch
Are you experiencing tense muscles in your neck? You can release and unblock the muscles through inversion therapy. All you need to do is to set the right level that you feel comfortable.
For the best results, keep your left hand on the right side of your head. Then pull your head gently towards the left shoulder. You can stay in this position for about five minutes based on the intensity that you have selected.
When doing the exercise, you can start with light from 30-45 degrees. When you feel comfortable, you can then move to moderate from 45-60 degrees. From there, you can progress to high from 60-90 degrees.
Overhead stretch
This is a great exercise for upper and lower back muscles. It also decompresses and stretches your neck and shoulders. In fact, this is a full body stretch that will help to re-align your spine and reduce the tension experienced in the neck muscles.
Start on the light level, then proceed to moderate and when you are comfortable enough, you can go to high level. You should do frequent sessions for the best results.
Intermittent inversion
Although this exercise is not designed for neck pain alone, it helps your body as well as mind to pay at tension to the muscles that are painful. This exercise helps to release the pressure on your spine, hydrates them and increases your blood circulation.
When engaging in this exercise, try as much as possible to calm your emotions and feelings. Try to relax and focus on the changes taking place in your body.
Just like other exercises, you need to star at the light level if you are a beginner. As you get more experience and feel comfortable, you can advance to moderate and high.
Things to Consider When Looking For an Inversion Table to Treat Neck Pain
Here are some of the features to look for in a new inversion table to save you from making a wrong choice.
Weight Capacity
Every inversion table has specific maximum weight capacity indicated on its packaging. This is the maximum weight that it’s capable of holding at any particular time. You will always find what’s right for you, no doubt. I wouldn’t advise you to buy an inversion table with a maximum weight limit that is either too high or too low for the intended users. There are tables that support up to 300 pounds, or even more.
Foam Quality
Inversion table for neck pain come with various types of foam and of different quality. That means you get to choose what best suits your condition, or what you can afford. Most of these tables come with quality high-density foams designed with leather exteriors and are designed to ease your pain.
Storage
Most people value space so much that they’d avoid a certain model just because its design isn’t space conscious even if everything else is right. Where you will set up the new inversion table should guide you into choosing the right model. Most of these therapeutic tables fold up for storage so that they occupy minimal space after use.
Importance of Inversion Table
Repairs Herniated Discs and Relieve Pain
Inversion table treatment gently decompresses the vertebrae to allow the herniated discs to move back into their proper places. And when that happens, the pressure is removed from the strained nerves to eliminate pain and restore mobility.
Improves Flexibility
This is one of the most important benefits of using an inversion table for treatment on a regular basis. The key to keeping spine flexible is keeping the discs well hydrated and with enough jelly material at the core. Gravity often pulls on the vertebrae so that the fluid is constantly squeezed out of the discs. Inversion table treatment will keep the discs fully hydrated hence keeping you more limber than people half your age.
Stronger Ligaments
Ligaments are what hold your bones together. They can become weak or stiffened, and this may result in your bones breaking or experiencing misalignments. Inversion table treatment works well to strengthen ligaments by increasing the collagen content. It also increases their ability to stretch when you are inverted.
Improves Sleep
It is a well-known fact that inversion table treatment helps patients fall asleep fast and to sleep more soundly. Users have reported improved sleep a few days after their fast inversion therapy session, as well as in how fast they fall asleep. Inversion therapy relaxes your muscles so that your body experiences improved circulation. It also improves oxygen flow, and lymphatic system removing toxins faster.
Final Verdict
The earlier you discover inversion therapy for neck pain the better off you will be. You don’t have to wait until your neck hurts to start this important therapy. With the numerous models of inversion tables for neck pain available today, you have plenty to choose from. Though this is a good thing, it can also be the basis for confusion when buying a new one. Choose wisely.