inversion therapy for chronic back pain

Most adults experience back and neck pain at some point in their lives. It's usually due to bad posture, or a sedentary lifestyle, but it can also be caused by injury and certain medical conditions. Whatever the case is, over 16 million adults suffer from chronic back pain that can completely alter their lifestyle.

That's why many chiropractic facilities offer treatments and therapies designed specifically for relieving back and neck pain. And one of the more popular treatments used today is inversion therapy.

Inversion therapy can prove to be very beneficial when performed by certified chiropractors. But what is it exactly, and what are its benefits? Are there any side-effects? Let's find out.

What Is Inversion Therapy?

Inversion therapy is a subcategory of spinal decompression therapy. It involves suspending the patient upside down to stretch out the spine.

During your daily activities, your body weight and gravity put immense pressure on your spine and joints. That causes the space between your vertebrae to compress, resulting in pain and general discomfort.

Your spine gets the chance to decompress slightly during the night when you sleep. When you're in the vertical position, there's less pressure on your back, and nutritive fluids can flow more freely between discs and joints.

So, when you wake up in the morning, your chronic back pain might be somewhat relieved. As an added bonus, this spinal decompression during sleep usually adds about half an inch to your height in the morning.

Inversion therapy, however, is more effective at decompressing the spine than just sleeping in a vertical position. It temporarily reverses the effects of gravity (and your body weight) and can act as a strong pain reliever.

Chiropractors will use different inversion therapy tools and devices to help decompress your spine. They include

• Inversion tables
• Inversion chairs
• Gravity boots.
• Inversion tables and chairs are often more comfortable than gravity boots and provide better control over precise inversion angles.

Benefits of Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy can provide countless benefits to patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain. The following are just some of the most common reasons why people choose inversion therapy.

1. Managing Medical Conditions

Numerous medical conditions can cause chronic back pain. You should always consult with your doctor or chiropractor before treating your condition with inversion therapy.

With this in mind, it's suggested that inversion therapy can lessen the impact of these conditions:

• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Degenerative disc disease

Inversion therapy is by no means a cure for these conditions. However, it can help relieve the pain associated with them. Pressure on the spinal discs can irritate the conditions and cause further discomfort, and inversion therapy works by simply removing the pressure.

2. Relieving Chronic Pain

The primary purpose of inversion therapy is to relieve back and neck pain. Studies have shown that with regular inversion therapy, chronic pain can be managed and even eliminated.

By managing chronic pain with this therapy, you can eliminate the need for pain medications and even avoid surgery.

As a non-invasive and relatively simple treatment, inversion therapy is a much safer choice for many patients.

3. Improving Mobility

You're able to move freely and smoothly because of synovial fluid that's present in your joints. This fluid offers lubrication to the joints and provides them with all the necessary nutrients and minerals.

When you stand, move around, exercise, etc., you put pressure on your joints. The pressure can reduce the volume of synovial fluid in your joints and spinal discs, which leads to stiffness.

Inversion therapy releases the pressure from the joints, stimulating the synovial fluid, and providing necessary lubrication. That will give you greater freedom of movement and more flexibility.

Combining inversion therapy with a medical massage can often bring the most benefits. It will help you relax, relieve pain, and improve mobility almost immediately.

Side-Effects of Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy can come with a few side-effects, so it's not recommended for everyone. People who shouldn't use inversion therapy include those who

• Have bone and joint disorders
• Are pregnant
• Have retinal detachment
• Have ear infections
• Suffer from high blood pressure
• Have cardiovascular disorders.
• Always consult with your doctors and chiropractors before attempting inversion therapy. The following are some of the side-effects that can come with this type of therapy.

1. Increased Blood Pressure

When you're in an inverted position, your blood pressure can increase exponentially. Your heart will need to work much harder than normal to provide blood to every part of your body. Although your heart rate will actually decrease, the increased blood pressure can be very detrimental if you have certain underlying conditions.

2. Increased Eye and Ear Pressure

Inversion therapy often results in a temporary increase in pressure in the eyes and ears. While the effects are short-term in healthy people, this can be very dangerous to some individuals. Inversion therapy should be avoided if you have glaucoma, retinal detachment, or ear infections.

It's important to note that most of the side-effects of inversion therapy are due to improper use of inversion devices. You'll experience side-effects such as discomfort, pain, and more if you stay inverted for too long, or if the angle is too high.

Start slowly and don't overdo it. Always practice inversion therapy with a certified chiropractor.

Spinal decompression with inversion therapy can be very effective in treating back pain. However, you don't need to suffer from back problems to experience the benefits of inversion therapy. This therapy can improve your spinal health and increase your mobility, whether you have pain or not.

Contact us if you have any questions about this therapy or if you need consultations on how to treat chronic back pain.