What is an Inversion Table?
Just as the name suggests, inversion tables refer to flat padded tables that have a mechanism for strapping your feet in then rotating yourself at a given angle. This process is referred to as inversion therapy. Even though different angles are suggested, most researchers recommend an angle of 60 degrees.
Benefits of Using An Inversion Table
During inversion therapy, your spine is usually elongated and the vertebrae are relieved of pressure and this results in alleviating back pains. It is important to note that the root causes of the back pains cannot be treated by inversion so you still need to seek medical attention. However, the instant relief from inversion therapy makes it much easier to administer other forms of treatment.
Research has also shown that inversion therapy helps in the stretching of ligaments and muscles. This leads to a reduction in muscle spasms and an overall improvement in blood circulation. The improved blood circulation means the cells in the body will receive more nutrients and also rid the cells of waste. The stretching also stimulates the lymph glands to heighten the flow of the lymphatic fluids and this helps the body to dispose its waste more efficiently.
Another benefit is spinal decompression. We usually go around our normal day to day operations totally oblivious of the fact that gravity weighs heavily on our body system thereby pressing the spinal disks down. This compression makes them highly susceptible to injury. Not only that but it also leads to inflammation or exacerbation of underlying conditions.
That is why simply lying down helps to relieve the pain you might be experiencing from a herniated disc. If lying down can achieve some relief, just imagine the results inversion therapy can achieve - when gravity is allowed to work for you rather than against you.
Other notable benefits of inversion tables include alleviating stress, treating motion sickness as well as helping the body become more aware of its spatial orientation thanks to the stimulation of the inner ear during inversion. For best results, you need to use your inversion table regularly but you don’t need to worry about time; a couple of minutes a day should suffice.
Things to keep in mind when using an inversion table for therapy
It is highly recommended to ensure you adjust the height on the table as per your individual height for optimum results. As a rule of thumb, always double check to ensure you have tightened the knob properly after making the adjustments to avoid any mishaps. Also, there are several different makes and models of inversion tables, each with their own enhancements and functions. It is is for this reason, we believe it's extremely important to read several of our reviews of inversion tables before making up your mind and deciding which table to buy
You should never use these tables if you have high blood pressure. This is because when you hang upside down, your heartbeat slows down which makes the blood pressure to go up. Pregnant women should also not take inversion therapy for this very same reason.
Inversion therapy ought to be looked at as a complementary remedy which means you should consult your doctor, chiropractor, orthopedist, or physiotherapist before strapping yourself on the table. You need to be checked by a doctor to establish the root cause of your pain and decide if inversion therapy will help or exacerbate the situation.