Inversion Tables Worth the Cost for Chiropractic Care
If you’re looking to improve your health, particularly from back pain, you’ve probably looked into different types of treatment. More and more medical professionals are trying to avoid invasive treatments like surgery in favor of alternatives that can ease pain without taking drastic measures. One alternative that you may have heard about is inversion therapy. This treatment involves hanging upside down or at an angle to relieve pain. You might be wondering if purchasing an inversion table is worth the investment. At Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness, we’re committed to giving you information about treatments that can potentially decrease pain. We also want to let you know the facts about inversion tables and the benefits and potential risks of inversion therapy.
What Are Inversion Tables?
Inversion tables are designed to take gravitational pressure off of the spine and your nerve roots according to the Mayo Clinic website. The idea is to eliminate the force of gravity and relieve muscle spasms and spinal compression, according to the website healthcentral.com. Doctors and physical therapists recommend inversion therapy because it can provide a traction force that decompresses spinal discs.
According to the Wall Street Journal, use of an inversion table can also improve circulation and combat stress, while studies have shown that the therapy can help with relaxation. The tables run from $150 to $650 for home models and $2,000 for motorized tables. Tables are adjusted for height and weight and users shift their center of gravity by raising their arms.
Inversion Therapy as a Means to Avoid Back Surgery
One of the biggest reasons people choose to use inversion tables is to avoid back surgery. This was the subject of a 2012 study conducted by British researchers. They took 26 backache and sciatica patients who were candidates for surgery and divided them into two groups. Both of the groups were given physiotherapy, while 13 patients were also given inversion therapy. Of those, 10 of the patients, or about 77 percent, were able to avoid the operating table. The researchers concluded that “intermittent traction with an inversion device resulted in a significant reduction in the need for surgery.” They suggested that more studies with a larger number of patients are justified.
Other studies have found that inversion table use reduces absenteeism from work, according to the Newsmax website. American military researchers have found that inversion increases the space between vertebrae, relieving back pain, according to Newsmax.
Concerns About Inversion Tables
There are downsides to using inversion tables. Hanging upside down does increase blood pressure and pressure in the eyes. For that reason, those who have glaucoma or uncontrolled hypertension should not take part in inversion therapy. You should check with a doctor before starting, especially if you have a heart or circulatory condition. Some people who try inversion therapy become dizzy, particularly if they come up too fast, according to the Journal. It’s a good idea to start a therapy program slowly at a small degree of inversion, no more than 15 degrees, and don’t spend more than 5 minutes at a time on the table, according to healthcentral.com.
Total Chiropractic Can Help with Pain Management
If you have questions about this type of therapy or any other treatment for back pain, Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness of Medford can help. We can start you on the road to health through chiropractic and pain management techniques as well as diet and exercise. To get started, contact Total Chiropractic today.
*Please note that the author of this piece is not a doctor and the information in this material is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or medical professional for specific information regarding your individual situation.
