Inversion Therapy

[Bully]

So age and a well lived life, as well as a couple of crashes, have left me beginning to experience chronic back pain. Anyone had any experience with hanging upside down?

[stevej37]

I have this one. Last time I used it was prob 5 years ago.
Back problems went away when I retired from work. I think too many hours of sitting were the fault.
The table is relaxing..I always felt better afterwards. I don't know if it did anything beyond that.
It folds up and stores against a wall, if wanted. $105@Amazon
When upside-down, the angle is adjustable so that you don't have to be completely inverted.

[matthewb0051]

It depends on what the issues are and what the Dr says.

I've had mixed success with a Tetters hang up. Sometimes it helps, others not so much. I've even used it laying face down vice on your back. The inversion table used laying on your back places my spine in the wrong curvature towards my belly button.

Another option is laying over a yoga ball and using it to place your spine in traction. This works fairly well and is more tolerable than being upside down or having your feet/ankles locked in the inversion table.

For me:
Degenerative disc and a loss of over half of a couple of discs in the L spine region. So decompression helps some.

But I don't think this will un-herniate a disc if that is the issue...

I get more relief from chiropractic adjustment but it only last for 2 or 3 days. Used to get relief from acupuncture.

It helps to have a few options of treatment so if one thing isn't working you can turn to another. Most all of it being outside of normal medicine (except for meds).

[Tervuren]

I had back pain from when I was 18 until I switched from a Porsche to a Jaguar.

Possibly unrelated data point.

I just thought it was the work I was doing that was the cause.

[Baz]

I have one - a Teeter. Bought it about 3 years ago - used it a few times - and never needed it since. Guess it did the trick, for me anyway.

[Deschodt]

Doesn't fix everything, but i suppose in some cases it's helpful... I find it hard to hang upside down on mine any longer than a couple minutes, all the blood rushing to my head... Not sure how much good you can do in that amount of time... I prefer using the hot tub jets ;-)

[wswartzwel]

I had unbearable back pain from degenerative disk disease... OLD AGE.... After lots of xrays and MRI's, the docs said surgery probably would not be a good idea... I got one of those inversion tables.. I did 30 inverted sit ups every morning for 6 months to build up my core muscles... I also do some stretches that a Physical therapist friend showed me... over a period of 6 months I felt better... Now I have found if I ride my bicycle at least once a week I have zero pain. I sold the inversion table because I really didn't think it helped much anymore. Exercise and keeping my core muscles strong, and daily stretching seems to be the best solution for me. Check with your doctor before doing anything though.

[aston@ultrasw.c]

Helps my lower back pain, mostly from working too hard in the garage.

Does not relieve upper back pain, I think the rib cage takes the load (somehow)

[icemann427]

Mine has been absolutely great for me!

[JavaBrewer]

OP, don't buy new. There are tons of them for sale lightly (like 2-3 times) online (Craigs List). I can see the benefit...the challenge is the blood rush to the head which can cause blackout. My Dad had one, paid top dollar with all the accessories, used it 5x max. Says it helped. I sold it online for .10 on the dollar. Sure beats the boots and pole that you had to be a gymnast to get into/out of.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by Baz

I have one - a Teeter. Bought it about 3 years ago - used it a few times - and never needed it since. Guess it did the trick, for me anyway.

I did the same used it frequently until......I didn't use it anymore. then it became the elephant in the room, the one where you'd hang your nice clothes to dry after washing.

But then I remembered I already had a $1500 power incline treadmill - where I'd been hanging my laundry prior. The inversion table eventually went to the landfill.........

[A930Rocket]

My dad bought a pair of boots that buckled on the ankles.

He mounted a bar with chains to the basement ceiling joists.

I had to help him him get his boots hooked and unhooked on the bar.

No idea if it helped.

It wasn’t fun.

[KFC911]

I've used one on and off over the past 15 years when I occassionally tweak my lower back...a few days of 5 mins, and it usually works for me. Doesn't work for everyone...YMMV

[HardDrive]

I've had 2 badly blow disks in my back since I was in my mid 20s. Skiing accident. Core strength and keeping somewhat active are the key.

[stomachmonkey]

I have one.

Use it daily.

Do some stretches and sit ups while in it.

Don't know if it helps anything but I feel better when I get off.

If I slack off and don't use it for a while I feel it.

I do a lot of sitting for work.

I think if that's your case you'll find some relief.

Cruise craigslist for them.

You can always find someones barely used at a deep enough discount that it's worth taking a flyer on.

[Nickshu]

+1 on core strength. I've had 2 back surgeries for herniated discs. After starting core strength workouts 3-4 times per week I have realized I probably would have never had the disc injury in the first place if I had kept up with the core fitness.

[Arizona_928]

Try traction. Essentially the same thing