Inversion therapy
Encyclopedia
Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down or at an inverted angle with the intention of therapeutic benefits. However, it is rarely regarded as a serious treatment for back pain.
s or headstands or hanging from a bar with arms at sides, which are also forms of inversion – the pull of gravity may decompress the joints of the body below the anchor. Hanging by the feet, as with gravity boots
or inversion tables, causes each joint in the body to be loaded in an equal and opposite manner to standing in an identical position of joint alignment. Inversion therapy of this sort is often commercially advertised as a relief for back pain.
Proponents claim that inversion therapy is particularly beneficial for the spine in that it relieves pressure on the discs and nerve roots; this in turn allows discs to recover lost moisture and to return to their original shape, decreasing the pressure they can exert on nerves. Skeptics note that pressure is also relieved when lying down in bed. Proponents counter that while gravity-related pressure is removed, the pressure of tight muscles is not, and that traction is needed to allow the possible space between spinal discs to be realized.
The Kane study demonstrated that gravity-facilitated traction produces significant intervertebral separation in the lumbar spine, concluding that gravity-facilitated traction may be an effective modality in the relief of low back pain.
The Nosse study found that EMG
activity (an indicator of muscle pain) declined by 35 per cent within the first 10 seconds of inversion. The study also found that inversion increases spinal length, concluding that there was a correlation between a reduction in EMG activity and an increase in spinal length.
The Dimberg/Volvo study evaluated 116 Volvo employees in a randomized controlled trial that lasted for 12 months. Three training groups were studied, and after 12 months, the researchers demonstrated a 33 per cent decrease in sick days from back pain. The average sick days lost to back pain fell by eight days per individual in the treated group. The study concluded that inversion is an efficient and cost-effective way to improve employee health and possibly reduce sick day costs to an employer.
The Sheffield study evaluated 175 patients whose back pain left them unable to work. Following eight inversion treatments, 155 patients were able to return to their jobs full time.
, high blood pressure
, eye diseases (such as glaucoma
), or are pregnant
are at higher risk for the dangers related to inversion therapy and should consult their doctors about it first. Such people would have to progress very slowly, starting at very light levels of inversion. The first time anyone tries inversion therapy with gravity, they should be sure to have someone standing by, in case assistance is required to get out of the apparatus, or if health problems are experienced.
Traction and stretching
When the body's weight is suspended from the lower body – rather than borne on the hands as in handstandHandstand
A handstand is the act of supporting the body in a stable, inverted vertical position by balancing on the hands. In a basic handstand the body is held straight with arms and legs fully extended, with hands spaced approximately shoulder-width apart...
s or headstands or hanging from a bar with arms at sides, which are also forms of inversion – the pull of gravity may decompress the joints of the body below the anchor. Hanging by the feet, as with gravity boots
Gravity boots
Gravity boots are ankle supports designed to allow a person to hang upside down. Thanks to exposure in television dramas and movies in the 1980s, gravity boots became a common fitness tool in homes across the United States....
or inversion tables, causes each joint in the body to be loaded in an equal and opposite manner to standing in an identical position of joint alignment. Inversion therapy of this sort is often commercially advertised as a relief for back pain.
Proponents claim that inversion therapy is particularly beneficial for the spine in that it relieves pressure on the discs and nerve roots; this in turn allows discs to recover lost moisture and to return to their original shape, decreasing the pressure they can exert on nerves. Skeptics note that pressure is also relieved when lying down in bed. Proponents counter that while gravity-related pressure is removed, the pressure of tight muscles is not, and that traction is needed to allow the possible space between spinal discs to be realized.
Posture
Proponents advocate that traction can be a tool to restore proper alignment to the spine, which may assist in maintaining proper posture when later righted. As misalignment of the hips and spine can itself be a source of inflammation and pain, this is another argument for traction as a back therapy.Flexibility
Inversion devices are promoted as a tool to be used in gaining flexibility. Static-active stretching methods impossible to perform while standing can be performed upside down for the spinal flexors, side flexors and extensors, and situps are a closed-chain exercise for the hip flexors (a static-active stretch for the hip extensors) compared to the upright exercise, leg raises, which are open-chain movements. Due to increased spacing in the joint which can occur in response to traction, the muscles crossing that joint are pre-stretched, and as such, experience a greater lengthening compared to the equivalent joint angle while under no traction (lying down) or while being compressed (standing).Blood flow
Claims are made that inversion stimulates circulation differences due to gravity acting on the circulatory system in an opposite manner, opposing what it would normally assist, and assisting what it would normally oppose compared to standing upright. This pooling of blood and greater circulation is thought by some to increase oxygen flow to those tissues, primarily in the brain or roots of the hair,Efficacy
Several research studies into inversion therapy have taken place, focusing on its efficacy with regard to reduction of back pain, avoidance of surgery and a decrease in employees’ lost working hours.The Kane study demonstrated that gravity-facilitated traction produces significant intervertebral separation in the lumbar spine, concluding that gravity-facilitated traction may be an effective modality in the relief of low back pain.
The Nosse study found that EMG
Electromyography
Electromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential generated by muscle...
activity (an indicator of muscle pain) declined by 35 per cent within the first 10 seconds of inversion. The study also found that inversion increases spinal length, concluding that there was a correlation between a reduction in EMG activity and an increase in spinal length.
The Dimberg/Volvo study evaluated 116 Volvo employees in a randomized controlled trial that lasted for 12 months. Three training groups were studied, and after 12 months, the researchers demonstrated a 33 per cent decrease in sick days from back pain. The average sick days lost to back pain fell by eight days per individual in the treated group. The study concluded that inversion is an efficient and cost-effective way to improve employee health and possibly reduce sick day costs to an employer.
The Sheffield study evaluated 175 patients whose back pain left them unable to work. Following eight inversion treatments, 155 patients were able to return to their jobs full time.
Health risks
People who have heart diseaseHeart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
, high blood pressure
Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
, eye diseases (such as glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
), or are pregnant
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
are at higher risk for the dangers related to inversion therapy and should consult their doctors about it first. Such people would have to progress very slowly, starting at very light levels of inversion. The first time anyone tries inversion therapy with gravity, they should be sure to have someone standing by, in case assistance is required to get out of the apparatus, or if health problems are experienced.