Inversion Therapy: Benefits and Risks

What is Inversion Therapy?

Inversion therapy is a technique wherein an individual is suspended in an upside down position so as to stretch the spine and also provide relief from pain in the back. The theory behind the inversion therapy is that by shifting the gravity of the body, the pressure would ease off the back along with providing a certain kind of traction to the spine. Inversion therapy is said to be beneficial for those individuals who suffer from sciatica, chronic conditions of pain in the lower back, lack of proper circulation and scoliosis.

Those studies or research which support the inversion therapy also claim that this technique would help to resolve and also prevent any kind of back-related issues. Also, the research believes that carrying out the stretching part during the therapy along with circulatory benefits would also prevent any kind of future health related concerns. However, certain studies are still inconclusive whether inversion therapy really has that effect wherein it does work as it should be.

The method of inverting the body has been around for centuries and was considered as a way to counteract the effects of gravity. Placing the feet higher than the head is known to have a lot of positive effects, especially for those individuals who suffer from back pain or spine issues. Many therapists and doctors would mostly recommend the use of inversion therapy due to its ability to provide a force of traction that literally decompresses the spinal discs. Regular and proper use of the inversion therapy is known to bring about improvement in certain symptoms from the spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis, disc herniation and degeneration. Inverting can also be done at the comfort of your house either with the use of inversion chair or table.

Inversion tables are the commonly used devices for hanging in the upside down position, even though they are not considered to be one of the best devices for most of the people who suffer from certain medical conditions. Hanging completely in an upside down position from the ankles strapped into the anti-gravity boots of the table tends to become too aggressive. Few of them may like this, but not all. In case of inversion chairs, they allow the individual to place their head just below the feet while in the seated position. When you are seated, there are a lot of positive effects. This kind of position is pretty comfortable and allows for less pressure on the joints of the leg. Also, being seated would allow for safer transitions with better balance as well as blood pressure equalizing. Inversion chairs are quite safe to be used alone.

Benefits of Inversion Therapy

Theoretically, inversion therapy is known to provide the below mentioned benefits to the spine:

• Removal of any kind of toxic waste from the spine
• Reduce the amount of inflammation in the back or the spine
• Creation of more protective fluid around the spinal discs
• Create an increase in the blood circulation through the surrounding muscles

Additional Benefits of Inversion Therapy

• Leads to improvement in the health of the spine - Theoretically, inversion therapy is said to improve the space between the spinal discs and also relieve the pressure. Carrying out certain kinds of activities such as running, bending and sitting can lead to pressure on the discs and this pressure would gradually increase the onset of back pain, a collapsed vertebra or any other kind of complications. Most of the studies which have done a lot of research on inversion therapy have found it to be useful. Certain individuals have also reported that this form of stretching for the back has led to a complementary treatment when it comes to providing relief from back pain.
• Reduces pain in the back - A study was carried out on about 50 people who were suffering from chronic case of low back pain and their use of inversion therapy. These individuals had practiced inversion therapy for three minute sets at various angles. Hence post the study and the results, it was found out that when the inversion therapy would be practiced at around 60 degrees angle, then it showed to reduce back pain after a period of eight weeks. Also, it helped in improving the flexibility as well as strength of the torso.
• Improvement in flexibility - When one regularly practices the inversion therapy at a better angle without any discomfort and tension to the body, then it can lead to better overall flexibility. Certain gradual micro movements carried out in the spine would help over time in improving the strength of the body, thereby making it stronger. Gradually, the individual would find it easier to bend and reach out to certain things. Inversion therapy is also said to bring about improvement in the posture of the individual, this is especially helpful for those individuals who constantly work at the desk or have desk jobs.
• Reduces the need for surgery - In one of the studies which was conducted in the year 2014, it was suggested that the zero gravity nature of the inversion led to reduction in the risk of compression. It also stated that inversion may probably prevent any kind of disability from back trouble which in turn could also reduce the need for going in for spinal surgery. In another study carried out in 2012, it was found out that those suffering from lumbar disease had reduced their need for surgery in just six weeks post the use of inversion therapy.

Despite all of these findings, it is very important to remember that back related troubles are not something minor. At times, they can turn out to be complicated as well. In such cases, inversion therapy should not be taken as a full term guarantee against surgery and neither it should be taken as an alternative treatment for resolving back pain. It is important to first counsel or talk with the doctor before one goes in for inversion therapy as a form of treatment or exercise.

Risk Factors of Inversion Therapy

We all have seen the various benefits associated with inversion therapy, however one cannot ignore the risks or the negative points which come along with this therapy or form of exercise. Inversion therapy is known to be unsafe for certain people who suffer from medical conditions or illnesses. The position of the inverted table which is upside down can lead to an increase in the blood pressure and reduce the heart rate. It is also known to put excessive amount of stress on the eyeballs, hence it is advisable to first talk to the doctor before one goes in for this technique.

Below are the details of the risks associated with inversion therapy:

• Pressure on the ears and eyes - Use of inversion therapy leads to an increase in the pressure on the eyes, hence those individuals who suffer from glaucoma or retinal detachments have a tendency of experiencing increased pressure on the eyes. At times, it can worsen the existing condition and even lead to bleeding from the eyes, if not caught in time. Any individual who suffers from eminent form of pressure in their eyes should avoid the use of inversion therapy. This inverted position is also known to increase the pressure caused to the inner ears, thereby leading to discomfort or causing an irritation in the ear, thus aggravating ear-related health issues.
• Leads to muscle pulls - Use of inversion tables during this therapy can also pose a risk of muscle pull. In one of the articles published in the year 2007, it was mentioned that there is a tendency that an individual may overdo the exercise or the stretching leading to pulling of the muscle. The reason for the same is because there is a tendency in people to think that if two minutes can provide so many benefits, then why not hang in the inverted position for ten more minutes, leading to discomfort caused to the body which is not realized by the individual.
• Elevates blood pressure levels - When an individual is in an upside down position on the inverted table, then the heart would slow down and the blood pressure would also increase in a couple of minutes. This can lead to the heart to move the blood throughout the body at a greater force than it has been used to move. For those individuals who suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, any kind of elevation of this nature can pose a dangerous level of risk to the health, ultimately leading to inversion therapy being a dangerous technique for anyone suffering from heart-related conditions.
• Worsening of muscle pain - While the use of the inversion table is known to reduce the pain caused to the muscles thanks to the spine extension, but at the same time one needs to be cautioned that this therapy can also worsen this pain. In one of the studies, it was mentioned that this therapy can lead to worsening of the back problems as well as hypertension leading to headaches which may get severe over time.
• Not a long term treatment option - This cannot be taken as a risk factor, but it has been said in various studies that the effects of inversion therapy would not be long term. The individual would temporarily feel relief while they are in the upside down position, but once they are back to the normal or the upright position, then the spine would go back to the way it was earlier.
• Can worsen any pre-existing medical conditions - One cannot say that only high blood pressure can be worsened due to the inversion therapy. Below are the conditions mentioned wherein one should be careful while using the inverted table. The nice stretch which one would experience from the inversion table would help to provide temporary relief from the back pain, but the individual would need to ensure that the device is being used in the correct manner so that they do not end up worsening the existing back pain. Also, when it comes to any new form of exercise or therapy, it is ideal to consult the doctor first so as to rule out any kind of potential troubles and also better to start off slow.

The doctor may ideally not recommend the use of inversion exercises or therapy if the individual is suffering from any of the below mentioned conditions:

• Cardiovascular related disorders such as stroke, heart related diseases and high blood pressure or hypertension.
• Disorders related to the bone or the joints which can include herniated disk, injuries caused to the spine, any kind of fractures to the bone, or osteoporosis.
• Certain kind of infections or diseases which may include pink eye or conjunctivitis, retinal detachment, cerebral sclerosis, ear--related infections or glaucoma.
• It is also advisable to avoid this therapy when one is pregnant.
• Individuals using certain kind of medications which may include blood clotting drugs and individuals suffering from obesity should also avoid this therapy.

Bottom Line

Remember that it would take time for the body to get used to any kind of new technique, hence instead of rushing things, one should take it slow and steady. It is always best to start off with a shorter time span and angles wherein one can go in from one minute and increase it to three minutes as and when the body is comfortable with the timing as well as the angle. This would lead to reducing any kind of side effects which may include strain on the muscles or dizziness and nausea. Remember not to overdo it and it should be done for the timespan as mentioned by the doctor or the supervisor.