Inversion Table Risks

By Michael Grimes

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Inversion therapy may work for certain patients but it is highly recommended that you seek advice from your chiropractor before using it. However, if you have some conditions that have been known to be aggravated by inversion therapy, there is no point even considering it. 

These conditions include obesity, high blood pressure, eye problems and even pregnancy. 
In addition to this, you should only use the inversion table for workout routines that have been tested and approved by professionals. You can get these routines from your chiropractor or physician.

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Contraindications for Inversion Therapy

  • 1. Ear and Eye Pressure

Forget about using inversion therapy if you suffer from retinal detachment or glaucoma. Inversion tables increase pressure in the eyes which can worsen these two conditions or even lead to bleeding from the eyes. The inner ear also experiences elevated pressure as a result of inversion therapy which leads to discomfort and other illnesses related to the ear.

  • 2. Heart Problems

When you hang upside down, your heart rate decreases while your blood pressure rises. People suffering from hypertension and other cardiovascular illnesses are advised against inversion therapy because it may further the risk of heart disease. Increased pressure in your cardiovascular system can only mean trouble, no doubt about it.

  • 3. Muscle Issues

Inversion therapy has the ability to give an immediate feeling of relief which is sometimes short-lived. This is because your muscles could sustain injuries due to long periods of lying on the table. Stretched of the spine for too long may also cause the vertebral column structures to move and such movements are what actually cause back pain.
Overweight and pregnant patients are more susceptible to muscle injuries therefore more caution is required. It is also a good idea to stay away from inversion therapy if you have inguinal or abdominal hernia as it may cause your already weak muscles to bulge out more making the condition worse.


  • 4. Bone Disease

As mentioned before, inversion tables elevate pressure in the vertebral column. This means that individuals, who suffer from bone diseases, including degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, should steer clear from using inversion tables. The pressure could easily lead to fractures along the vertebrae column.

  • 5. Inversion Therapy might relieve the pain without treating the cause of it.

The working principle behind inversion therapy is pressure release on the spine nerves brought about when the spine is stretched so as to expand the vertebrae space. When at an inverted position, you experience relief and you will actually be as good as new - but the pain is bound to come right back as soon as you get away from the table. This is because the spine goes back to its original position once the appointment is over.


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