If you’ve ever suffered from or are suffering from Sciatica, you know how it can render you powerless. The inversion table for Sciatica will help you relieve the pain in weeks. This is the reason we’ll look at the issues related to Sciatica. And also give you some guidance on the inversion tables.
The pain is excruciating and unbearable. If you’re one of those people going through the pain, there’s a solution to help ease the pain. If you have tried all the methods of pain relief and nothing works, let me introduce you to inversion tables. Inversion tables work well in treating sciatica. You can try inversion therapy if you are suffering from this condition.
What is Sciatica?
We all have a very long nerve that runs from our lower backs down to our feet. It’s called the sciatic nerve. I won’t delve into the whole idea of nerves but they send signals to the brain to alert it if there’s a problem or not.
Once you have any kind of inflammation of the sciatic nerve, your doctor will term it as Sciatica. This inflammation/aggravation causes pain from your lower back, thigh, butt down to your feet.
For the first few weeks when you develop the pain, it is easy to control and treat fast. But once it gets past six weeks, you’re declared to have chronic sciatica.
There are some doctors that recommend invasive surgery to correct it. But if you do not want to undergo surgery, inversion therapy can be the best option.
What are some of the symptoms and causes of Sciatica?
Before you learn to solve a problem, it is important if you learn the causes of the problem? This is the same principle that applies here. Before buying an inversion table for sciatica, you have to know the cause and symptoms of it.
Nerves are delicate. Just a little bump can cause mild or excruciating pain. Most if not all times, people who suffer from spinal diseases have symptoms of sciatica.
Note: Sciatica affects only one side of the body. Below are some of the causes:
- Injuries to the vertebral discs and muscles
- Degenerative discs that connect the vertebrae
- Lower back pain
- Malformations of the skeletal system such as a curved spine
- Weak core/lack of proper physical exercises
- Brutal physical exercises
- Lack of sufficient blood circulation from smoking or alcohol abuse
- These are some of the symptoms:
- Mild or very painful pain around your lower back, thigh, butt down to your leg
- Feeling numb/muscle weakness
- Difficulty in walking, coughing, laughing or sneezing
- Feeling pain in sitting or standing for an extended period of time
- Finding difficulty in bending from your waistline or bending backward
- Inactivity
Do inversion table work for Sciatica?
This is the million-dollar question. You wouldn’t want to invest time and money in something that won’t give you the relief you’re looking for.
Inversion therapy as a concept isn’t new. Studies show that the ancient Greeks used the technique. Hippocrates who’s known for his strides in medicine saw inversion therapy used as far back as 400BC.
With modernization, the principle has vastly improved. According to the Energy Center, 75% of people who suffer from lower back pain got relief from using inversion tables. And this is because the tables use gravity when you’re suspended upside down. It results in spinal decompression increasing spinal traction and increased blood flow.
So even if you’re suffering from Sciatica, an inversion table will be of very great help to you. It may even treat some developing back pain you may not know you’re suffering from. There are other inversion therapies techniques available. Inversion tables are yet the safest and easiest to use.
Here is a great video explained the inversion table therapy for sciatica:
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Using Inversion Tables To Deal With Sciatica?
Spinal decompression
Every time you’re inverted, your spine decompresses. When it does, the sciatic nerve is released hence reducing the pain. When inverting for a few weeks, you get even more relief as the spine won’t be under too much pressure.
Increased blood circulation
Inversion tables allow increased blood flow every time you invert. This is because blood has to reach the brain and heart. It, therefore, helps in the distribution of oxygen throughout the body even to your sciatic nerve.
Perfect for muscle stretching
When you invert, you get to stretch your arm, back, leg, and abdominal muscles. This prevents soreness or tenseness. When you stretch the muscles, the pressure put on the muscles, adjacent nerves, ligaments, and discs are reduced offering relief.
How to use an inversion table for Sciatica?
Once you know what Sciatica is, you need to learn how to use an inversion table. These same rules apply to almost all of the best inversion tables on the market.
Seek medical advice
A lot of websites, blogs, and articles recommend that inversion is the best way to treat sciatica. I don’t disagree with them. Make sure you have a green light from your doctor. It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice to prevent further injuries.
Inversion tables are very safe and can be beneficial to people suffering from different health ailments. They can also cause serious injuries to specific people with other health conditions.
Know inversion table limits
Although inversion tables have proven to be one of the best methods of treating sciatica, you need to understand its limits. When you start inverting, you shouldn’t stop taking drugs for your sciatica. You shouldn’t also stop going for physical therapy/chiropractic sessions. The table is just a supplement to the real treatment.
Height Adjustment
The best inversion table comes with an instruction manual. You should use it to adjust the table to a height you’re most comfortable in. You can also find online tutorials on how to do it. Ensure that the height is locked securely so that it doesn’t slide when you get on it. Also, make sure that you adjusted the inversion table according to your height.
Inversion Degree
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you need to start low and slow. Inverting to 180o on your first attempt is just calling on trouble. You can start by adjusting to 10o and make increments of 5o every time you invert. This allows for your body to adjust and to prevent dizziness or headaches.
Climb on to the table
With your back against the table, get on to it. The lowest angle allows you to comfortably get on without struggling. Using the handles, lower your body onto the table and recline it to the angle you set. Ensure that your feet are securely attached to the footrests. This prevents you from flipping off the table.
It’s advisable to get on to the table under expert supervision. They’ll help you in case of an emergency. You can then increase the angle and frequency of inversion. If you began at 3 minutes per inversion, you can go up to 5 minutes. With time and practice, you’ll be able to invert for up to 20 minutes.
Control your breathing
Once you’re inverted, your breathing won’t be the same as when you’re upright. Blood flow will increase which uses a lot of oxygen. It’s advisable for you to take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth. You should also relax to allow for the muscles to stretch.
Listen to your body
When you feel like you have inverted enough, your body will let you know. When you start feeling pain anywhere on or around your back, you need to stop and consult.
Some people experience dizziness the first time they use an inversion table. Also, ensure that you engage as many muscles as you can to allow muscle spasms and soreness to be relieved.
Repeat the same process as frequently as you’re needed to or can.
Inversion Table Exercises For Sciatica
Inversion therapy works well in decompressing the spine and reducing the pressure on your spinal discs. With inversion table exercises, the discs will re-hydrate and this eventually reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve. The following are some inversion table exercises for sciatica.
Decompression
This is a great inversion table exercise that works well in re-hydrating the discs and decompressing your spine. You can invert to 45-60 degrees and this will help intervertebral discs pressure. As a result, the pressure on your sciatic nerve also reduces.
For beginners, you can start with a light intensity level. When you feel comfortable, you can then increase to a moderate intensity level and you can do two sessions per day.
After trying the different levels, you can then try high-intensity levels until in a position that you are comfortable with. For the best results, engage in frequent short sessions rather than doing longer and infrequent sessions.
Rotation
After decompressing your spine, the next thing you should do is to engage in torso rotation. Torso rotations work well in helping you stretch the upper back muscles. Additionally, it will also help release tension from your muscles.
For starters, it is advisable to start with light intensity. When you feel comfortable, then you can increase the intensity to a level you feel relaxed. This ranges from light (30-45 degrees), moderate (45-60 degrees), and high (60-90 degrees).
Side arches
Side arch exercises work well in stretching the abdominal and external oblique muscles as well as your shoulders. Just like the other exercises I have mentioned above, it is great if you start with light, then moderate and finally high depending on how comfortable you feel.
To do this exercise, you need to put your arms overhead and then curve your body to form a C-shape. From your waist, try to bring your hips and shoulders to each other.
After doing this severally, you will feel the stretch on the side of your abs muscle and shoulder stretches. This is an effective exercise that will provide you with an upper-body stretching sensation.
Full inversion
This is another great exercise that will help you relieve pressure on your spinal discs. However, you cannot do a full inversion if you have not tried the above exercises I have covered above. To do a full inversion, you should ensure that you are comfortable and well versant with inversion tables.
This exercise gives your body a complete stretch and eliminates the effects of gravity on the spine. To do a full inversion, eliminate the safety strap and then slowly rotate to a total inverted position. Pay attention to your body as you breathe slowly and deeply. You will feel your muscles relaxing.
For those who are doing a full inversion for the first time, it is great if you start at 40- 60 degrees then progress. In case you feel dizzy, return to a horizontal position. Just like other exercises, it is great if you do many frequent inversions as compared to short and longer inversions.
Some safety precautions when using the inversion table for sciatica
- Make sure the table is set in an open place away from obstructions
- Don’t use the inversion table if you’re pregnant
- It’s recommended to have an expert in the room with you as you invert
- Every time you invert, ensure there’s enough supply of air
- Ensure that the table is steady. Use a flat and level surface
- Put on comfortable work out clothing that won’t make it difficult to invert
- Don’t use the inversion tables if you suffer from retinal problems like glaucoma
- Don’t use the tables if you suffer from circulatory issues like high blood pressure
Final Verdict
If you’re suffering from sciatica, don’t think of invasive surgery just yet. Unless your doctor recommends it. You can use an inversion table for sciatica. The best inversion tables don’t cost too much. So if you go into the market looking for one, ensure it’s the best one. Don’t let the price be the baseline of your purchase.
I hope this post has given you some insight regarding sciatica and inversion tables. You can effectively use them to get rid of the annoying pain. Feel free to comment if you have any questions or suggestions to improve the article.