I remember my first struggle with back pain. I was so scared, confused and wished someone would act as a guide for me. My chiropractic sessions were great. But I wanted an alternative which I can use at my leisure in a convenient way. And that’s when my doctor recommended an inversion table for treating my back pain.
If you’re like me and looking for something long-term that will help you ease your back pain, inversion therapy will be great. Back pain can extend for some time even if you have the highest level of treatment. So, you need to find a way to ease it.
This is the reason we’re going to have an in-depth look at how to control back pain using an inversion table.
What a the Causes of the Back Pain?
This section was probably covered by your physician. If not and you’re experiencing any kind of back pain, talk with your physician.
Research shows that 80% of the world’s population will suffer from lower back pain during their lives. The term back pain envelops a lot of conditions like degenerated discs, scoliosis, sciatica, spinal curvature, spinal stenosis and much more.
Below are some of the causes of back pain:
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal misalignments
- Tense muscles
- Pregnancy
- Highly physical jobs
- Age
- Bad posture
- Weak core/lack of physical exercises
- Accidents
- Spinal diseases
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal misalignments
- Tense muscles
- Pregnancy
- Highly physical jobs
- Age
- Bad posture
- Weak core/lack of physical exercises
- Accidents
- Spinal diseases
Does an Inversion Table Work for Back Pain?
Did you know that all your daily activities involve your back? So the more intense your day is, the more strain you’re putting on your back. This is the reason 80% of the world’s population suffers from back pain. So, you can’t ignore back pain even if you have mild controllable pain.
For decades, people have been using different methods of relieving back pain. A lot of them are oblivious to the uniqueness of inversion tables. According to the Energy Center, 75% of people who suffer from lower back pain got some sort of relief when using inversion tables.
So do inversion tables work in treating back pain? The short answer is yes. When you use an inversion table, there’s more blood flow and more traction of the spine.
Inversion table works well in eliminating back pain. You need to find a way of easing and relieving the pain. You will find a lot of inversion tables from various brands. But you have to find the best inversion table which will help you to ease the pain.
Here is a great video from a user who explained how the inversion table works for the back pain.
What are some of the benefits of using an inversion table to eliminate the back pain?
Reduces the chances of getting invasive surgery
Any kind of surgery is painful and takes a long time to heal. After the surgery, it’s a guarantee that the problem will go away. This is one of the most important benefits of an inversion table. Although it works slowly you will find steady progress. Thus prevents you from getting unnecessary surgery.
Improves blood circulation
Inversion tables use gravity to its advantage. Once you lie upside down, blood flows easily and quickly through your body. This allows for your body’s chemicals to be steady giving you the relief you desire.
Stretching
On the table, there’s a high possibility of you stretching your muscles and ligaments. Not only does this strengthens them but also improves your blood circulation.
How to Use an Inversion Table for Back Pain?
After you’ve known the basics of inversion tables, you need to learn how to use it.
Step 1: Consult your physician
Before you buy an inversion table, you need to consult your doctor. They will recommend you whether an inversion table is really helpful for treating the back pain regarding your syndrome. They will also supervise your use to prevent more problems and advice on the frequency of use. If they suggest you to use it, you can buy and use the table as per their instructions.
Step 2: Understand the usefulness of the table
The inversion table shouldn’t by any means replace your chiropractic sessions or drugs. It’s a supplement to the real treatment. They’re meant to ease back pain by improving circulation using gravity.
Step 3: Adjust the height of the table
The best inversion table should come with an option of height adjustment. This allows versatile and comfortable use. To know if the table is at the correct height, your head shouldn’t hang over the edge. These tables come with instruction manuals. You can always refer and confirm if the height is right or not.
Step 4: Choose the right degree
The degree of the inversion table will determine how much relief you’ll get from the table. If you’re a beginner, you may need to start at the lowest possible angle depending on your table. This allows your body to adapt to being inverted. You can make gradually increase 5 degrees per week depending on your need until you’re used to it.
Step 5: Ensure you are securely attached to the table
As you climb onto the table, stand with your back against it. Then put your feet on the rests and ensure they’re secure. This prevents you from flipping when you invert. Ensure you’re wearing comfortable clothes and shoes. So stilettos or a three-piece suit is inappropriate. Hold on to the handles and rotate the table to invert. Do small rotations to prevent dizziness.
Step 6: Take controlled breathes
Just like in the gym when you lift weights, your breathing is always controlled. This allows air to sufficiently reach every part of your body. Breathe deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. As you stay inverted ensure every muscle in the body is relaxed. If you’re a beginner, inverting for more than 5 minutes will disorient you. You can consider inverting for short intervals. You can comfortably do it for more than 10 minutes after getting used to it.
Step 7: Engage your core
Your core is the pivot to the whole body. Thus, you can’t just lie on the table rotating. It is great if you can take the opportunity to use your abdominal muscles. You can do it by stretching your hands towards the ground behind your head. Keep them straight. You can hold that position for as long as you can. You can go the extra mile and do some crunches as you’re inverted. Always ensure that as you do crunches your back is straight. However, Don’t try this if you’re inexperienced or if your doctor doesn’t recommend it.
Step 8: Repeat the same process
It’s important to listen to your body. Once you feel you’ve inverted enough, you can use the handles to pull yourself into an upright position. You need to do slow rotations as you elevate yourself so that you’re not dizzy. When you’re upright, stay in that position for a few seconds/minutes for your body to readjust. Once you feel like you’re back into your element, you can decide to unlock the footrests or invert again.
- Don’t use the inversion table if you’re pregnant
- Always have someone in the room with you in case of emergencies
- Ensure the table is set in a spacious area of the room free from obstructions
- Put a non-slip mat under the table for safety
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Ensure there is sufficient supply of clean air
So, Does an Inversion Table Help Lower Back Pain
If you are experiencing lower back pain as you age, regular driving, engaging in seating-related activities or carrying heavy loads, chances of you experiencing lower back pain as you age are high. Remember, these could also end up contributing to your lower back pain too with time including.
- Spinal misalignments related to soft tissue damage
- Back muscles that are growing weak
- The force of gravity effect pulling down our bodies that cause the compression the spongy discs between the back vertebrae of the body spine over time. Moisture lost on the discs result to spaces between joint narrows pinching nerve roots.
This is why you need to go through inversion therapy. It will help you stretch out the back tense muscles and ultimately relieve the back pain. You can use it too after some effective physical exercise to restore and discharge tension in body muscles.
You can use an inversion table even at the comfort of your home or as a professional recommendation. Many inversion tables have thronged the market today and it can be confusing on how to get one that will help you realize the progress you much anticipate.
Another way to help lower your back pain is to ensure you don’t make the situation worse by using an inappropriate table. Your inversion table should not only be comfortable and dependable but also safe to use.
Check whether your inversion table is durable and comes with a sturdy body construction to support your weight effortlessly.
Are There Any Dangers Associated With Inversion Tables?
Just like every other functional device, there are some dangers related to inversion tables. As hanging upside down for a specific period of time could cause rapid blood flow to the eyes and the head. This can lead to headaches and dizziness If you have any eye-related problems like glaucoma, it is advisable to not to use inversion tables. Also, if you have circulatory health issues like high blood pressure, inversion tables can cause more problems. This is why you need the professional opinion and guidance of a professional physician.
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for information on the inversion table for back pain, I hope this article has shed some light. It’s important to note that a good inversion table will go a long way in easing your pain. So if you’re suffering from chronic back pain, sore from working out or just want to relax your back, take your time to research and find the best inversion table for you.