Understanding Back Pain

Since our bodies absorb tremendous amounts of stress and pressure, our back is the one area that is affected the most. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems. To understand how inversion therapy can help, you need to understand what is at the root cause of your back pain. Back pain is sometimes difficult to treat if you cannot find out what is causing your back pain.

Helpful Resources: Teerer Inversion Table This web site provides great information about Teeter inversion tables and hang-up devices. You can compare several inversion tables and purchase the Teeter inversion table or hang up from this site. Back Pain Problems This article talks about common back pain problems. It provides tips on how you can identify the root cause of your back pain and what you can do to relieve it. It also links to other articles on back pain. Lose Back Pain This web site provides great information about inversion tables. It describes what causes back pain and how inversion tables can help your back pain. It discusses how long inversion tables have been around. Wikipedia: Inversion Therapy This online dictionary provides a great definition about inversion therapy. It describes how inversion therapy works and the benefits from using inversion therapy on a daily basis. This is a great web site if you don't know much about inversion therapy. Back Pain This web site describes information about back pain and how inversion tables can help reduce the pain in your back. It also provides links to purchasing inversion tables and product recommendations. Ironman Inversion Tables This online shopping web site provides great information about Ironman inversion tables. It provides excellent information about specific product information and customer reviews. This is a great web site for researching different inversion tables. Kettler Inversion Tables This web site provides information about Kettler inversion tables. This is an excellent resource if you want more information about Kettler products and how to purchase the inversion table or other products. Health Mark Inversion Tables This is another online shopping web site providing excellent information about Health Mark inversion tables. This web site also allows you to review all the different Health Mark inversion tables and select one that fits your needs. Jobri Inversion Table This web site provides excellent information about Jobri inversion tables. It discusses the benefits of Jobri inversion tables and allows you to search through several different styles of inversion tables. Inversion Therapy This article talks about Inversion Therapy and how it is used for individuals with back pain. It provides great information on how you can diagnose your back pain and how to use an inversion table.

Gravity and muscles imbalances combine and shove the vertebrae together and press on the discs of your spine. Your inner core of your discs has a jelly-like material that act as shock absorbers and provide cushioning and flexibility. With exercise and the force of gravity the jelly-like material is pushed and squeezed out of your discs during the day and replenished at night. The reason you get back pain is because the insufficient distance between the vertebrae results in nerve root pressure and the added pressure on the discs is not always distributed evenly. The disks eventually bulge, become herniated, and cause spinal damage.

The hardest part about back pain is there isn't a cure. You can try medication and other things to reduce the pain and pressure but it is hard to get it to recover completely. The only way to completely heal back pain is to avoid strain to your spine, which isn't exactly easy. Most episodes of back pain only last a few days, but if your back pain is still lingering around after a couple weeks, you should seek medical advice.

Treating Back Pain

You can probably find what is causing your back pain by evaluating your daily activities. Work, accidents, or day-to-day activities have all been linked to back pain. If you back pain is minimal your doctor will tell you to ice it, heat it, and take some mild pain relievers. Other doctors are noticing great benefits to their patient's health when they implement inversion therapy. Inversion therapy reduces the pressure on your back and allows your muscles to relax.

How Inversion Therapy Works

In order to use an inversion table, you will lie on your back and strap your feet into some foot holds. The inversion table works by having you lie on your back in an inverted position. This position will help to eliminate some or all of your back pain. Depending upon how far on your back you lay; the inversion table will reduce the pressure on your discs and allow the fluid to be reabsorbed.

Increasing the space between your vertebrae and allowing the fluid to reabsorb will eliminate the lower back pain you feel from your daily routine. Inversion therapy has been show to be the safest and most effective way to help increase the space between your vertebrae. Most people who use inversion tables feel significant improvement in their lower back pain and back injuries. In fact, many patients of inversion therapy use an inversion table daily or at least 3 times a week to help relieve their back pain.

Some benefits you can expect to receive from inversion therapy include:

• Increased height. Studies have proven that as we age we lose about 2 inches of height. Using an inversion table on a daily basis will help you avoid losing as much height.
• Improved blood circulation. When you use an inversion table on a regular basis, your body can circulate the blood easier due to gravity.
• Reduced Stress. Inversion tables are used in day spas and other centers that focus on the relaxation of your body. Using an inversion table for at least 15 minutes a day will allow your body to eliminate stress and release calm energy to your nerves and muscles.
• Mental alertness. The supply of oxygen to your brain increases with any upside-down activity. Using an inversion table will increase the blood supply to your brain, allowing it to improve your overall mental state.
• Improved Flexibility. Before any exercise routine you are told to stretch your muscles to help them become flexible. Using an inversion table will allow your muscles to be stretched on a regular basis. It also will improve your posture by realigning the spine. With improved flexibility and an improved posture, you will not have pain when you are sitting or performing routine daily activities.

Dangers of Inversion Therapy

While inversion therapy is generally considered safe, there are some reasons why you should avoid using an inversion table. If you are experiencing any of the following, you need to seek medical advice before using an inversion table:

• Pregnancy


• Hernia


• High Blood Pressure


• Cerebral sclerosis


• Retinal detachment


• Glaucoma


• Heart or circulatory disorders


• Spinal injury


• Swollen joints


• Osteoporosis


• Ear infection


• Obesity


• Use of anticoagulants

Of course before you consider a new exercise routine, you should always contact your physician. Using an inversion table will cause increased blood flow to your face and can become uncomfortable. If you experience this problem, adjust the angle in which you are inverting and it will relieve any uncomfortable pain.

Shopping for an Inversion Table

When you begin shopping for an inversion table, you need to know a few things. First, most inversion table cost about $350. Some manufacturers sacrifice quality to keep up with the competitive market, so you really don't want to pay less that $300. Second, research the safety rating on the inversion table you are looking at. Due to poor manufacturing some inversion tables have been recalled and others tend to have small problems that can cause serious injury. Third, make sure you purchase an inversion table that offers all the ranges of inversion angles.

You need to be able to control the angle you are inverting at, especially if you are using an inversion table for physical therapy purposes. Fourth, an inversion table should come with a warranty. A good warranty will last at least one to three years. Fifth, the assembly of your inversion table should be easy and adaptable for anyone to use. Sixth, find out how much weight your inversion table can hold. A standard inversion table can hold a user up to 300 pounds. Seventh, your inversion table needs to be convenient and suitable for all your needs.

There are several inversion tables on the market and finding the right one can be time consuming. Always talk to your doctor about inversion table recommendations before you get started. Here are a few other inversion tables that "pass the test":

Teeter inversion tables are immensely popular for their wide selection of inversion tables. Teeter inversion tables have been around since before the 1980's. Teeter was one of the only inversion table manufacturers to stay around when the market for inversion tables literally vanished. Teeter products typically cost more than their competitors around $359 and up however; Teeter inversion tables and hang ups are considered the best on the market for their impressive warranties and high quality manufacturing. Teeter inversion tables allow for users up to 6 foot 6 inches tall and 300 pounds. Teeter also specializes in gravity boots, relaxation chairs and other products proven to reduce back pain.

Ironman gravity inversion tables are made with a tubular steel frame, a scratch-resistance powder-coated finish, and a memory-foam-vinyl-covered backrest with a removable lumbar pillow. Their inversion table includes rubber non-skid floor stabilizers, so the table will be stable still when you are inverted. This inversion table also allows for users up to 6 feet 6 inches tall and supports 350 pounds. Another great feature to the Ironman table is that it folds for storage and is easy to set up. The cost of this table is $299.

Kettler is a German Company that specializes in making steel frames with padded inversion boards and ankle clamps. The Kettler inversion table can support a user up to 6 feet 5 inches tall and can support a weight up to 250 pounds. Most Kettler inversion tables have been given high reviews from consumers. The cost to purchase a Kettler inversion table ranges from $399 to $499.

There are many other inversion tables on the market, be sure to use the steps above to help you find one that will fit your needs. Inversion tables offer excellent health benefits and if used properly they will help you perform your daily activities without back pain!