Inversion Therapy for Back Pain Relief: Is It Really Effective?
Inversion therapy is a common term used for various methods for reducing back pain by removing gravitational pressure. Most of these methods rely on stretching exercises with the aim of managing conditions affecting the spine and the surrounding organs. Because it's relatively inexpensive, inversion therapy can be a great alternative option for many people looking to avoid the side effects of traditional medicine. By reading this article, you can learn more about the effects of inversion therapy, including the possible benefits and dangers involved with its methods.
The Basics of Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy works by putting a person in an upside-down position, which opens up the spine and the surrounding muscles. This removes the compressing effects the gravity has on the body and allows for better circulation. As gravity slowly pushes down all your organs, reversing the body's position can help them return to their natural position. Your vertebrae will be free of any pressure, which causes the sensation of discomfort to go away. The body inversion also strengthens your back muscles, so they can help hold the skeletal elements in their place once the body is returned to the normal position.
In order to place the body in a reversed state, a couple of different equipment could be used. Here are the most common forms of inversion therapy:
Inversion chairs: Being in the reversed position while seated not only relieves pressure from the back but from the legs as well.
Inversion boots: Gravitation footwear that allows you to stand literally upside down while providing more freedom to your body.
Inversion tables: Works similarly to the boots, only hear you lay on your back on a table which is then returned to reverse the effects of gravity.
Inversion yoga: Yoga poses, like Dolphin, shoulder, or handstands are a great way to open up your vertebrae and eliminate gravity.
Benefits of Inversion Therapy
With the right equipment and knowledge, inversion can be a highly effective way of reducing back pain or discomfort caused by scoliosis, vertebral disk displacement, or similar conditions. If left untreated for a lengthy period, some conditions may even require surgery, often followed by months worth of recovery time. Inversion and similar techniques can help you avoid painful surgery and all its consequences.
Consult your doctor about your condition and ask their opinion about the effects of inversion therapy. If they approve, and you begin the therapy, make sure you always communicate how each position makes you feel. Remember, inversion therapy should be easy for your body and not cause any additional discomfort. It's also inexpensive, non-invasive, and has far fewer side effects than traditional medicine used for pain alleviation.
Even if you don't feel any pain or discomfort yet, standing or sitting for an extended period of time on a daily basis can have detrimental effects on your spine. This later translates into stress on your joints, muscles, and nerves throughout your body, leaving you without energy and eventually in pain. By occasionally turning your gravitational points, you can reverse these harmful effects and prevent them from causing any major damage.
Risks of Inversion Therapy
While beneficial for many people, it's not an advisable method for those suffering from heart conditions, certain types of hernia, osteoporosis, or who have suffered a stroke before. Placing the body in an upside-down position increases blood pressure and decreases heart rate. If the person already has problems with these or is generally obese, putting even more pressure on their cardiovascular system can have dangerous consequences.
Because it increases the blood flow to the head and can open up fresh wounds, reversion of the body should be avoided if you suffered a recent head injury. Eye or ear conditions also increase the intracranial pressure on their own, so if you suffer from an inner ear infection, glaucoma, or anything similar, inversion will not be safe for you. Due to their changing gravitational axis and increasing pressure in the abdominal area, inversion therapy isn't safe for pregnant women either.
Although the term inversion therapy is considered relatively new in the field of alternative medicine, the basics of the exercises used during the treatment are well known. Besides being an effective alternative treatment for back pain, inversion therapy can have several other benefits for your health. However, there are several risks involved with this method, which means it may not be a suitable option for everyone. If you are considering using inversion therapy for back issues, make sure you consult your doctor before trying any of the exercises.
