What is inversion therapy?
Inversion therapy tables are considered to be weight machines, even though they have no weights -- the user's body weight provides the traction needed to stretch the back and joints.
Forget: "No pain, no gain."
Your body is well-designed for being upside down, but how many people over age 10 do the astronaut spin regularly? Like yoga and Pilates, elliptical trainers or other exercise routines, ease into inversion table exercise -- begin slowly, perhaps 5 minutes with a 20-degree tilt, then increase your tilt as you and your body gets used to the feeling. You'll enjoy it more, which means you'll get more out of it.
What is Inversion Therapy?
Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down to apply gentle traction to the spine.
Inversion was invented as early as 400 B.C. when Hippocrates (the father of medicine) first watched a patient hoisted upside down on a ladder for a dose of 'spinal traction'.
Not only can Inversion Therapy help to treat back pain, but it can be used to reverse the negative effects of aging on the spine.
By oscillating up and down on an inversion table, a pumping action is created for fluids around the spinal discs forcing waste out and drawing in fluid around the discs. The spinal column consists of a stack of vertebral bones, each separated by a spongy disc. Too much pressure on each disc, caused often by poor posture, can crush the spongy material and engender inflammation.
Inversion helps to relax muscles which increases blood flow through the muscles which in turn maintains the muscles in better condition and less likely to cause painful spasms.`
Posture may be improved and conditions such as scoliosis and lordosis may be helped. By reducing muscle spasm, inversion may help to realign the spine (in conjunction with other exercises).
Do I just hang there?
You can. However, you may get more benefit from exercise fitness routines designed to be performed inverted. There are some great DVDs and e-books about how to enjoy inversion tables. No fitness program is right for everyone -- all exercise regimens include some risk -- and no one should start a new program without a doctor's advice. Persons with any serious health condition should have a serious, detailed discussion with their primary health care provider regarding all inversion table benefits and risks, just like any other program.
Recommendations for using inversion tables
Although this activity is safe we recommend seeking professional medical advice for example from your doctor before using inversion therapy equipment. The following are contra-indications for inversion therapy (should not be done): pregnancy, hernia, glaucoma, retinal detachment, conjunctivitis, high blood pressure, recent stroke, heart or circulatory disorders, spinal injury, cerebral sclerosis, swollen joints, osteoporosis, unhealed fractures, surgically implanted supports, use of anticoagulants, ear infection and obesity.
A good introduction to inversion therapy is the book "Hanging Out for the Health of It" by Dr C.M. Gonzalez.
For medical advice, take a look at http://www.energycenter.com/grav_f/medical_studies.html see a recent post from the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inversion-therapy/AN01614
See our Tips on inversion therapy
