Health Conditions that Can Put You at Risk When Using Inversion Therapy

We've all seen the commercials or product catalogs showcasing the latest inversion table.  Just a few days ago, I saw a TV commercial for an inversion table priced at just under $150.  Of course, the commercial went on to list all the benefits of using their product including the relief to one condition most people are desperately searching for a solution to….back pain. 

Several studies have documented that inversion table therapy can help low back pain, even if it's only short-term relief.  However, researchers and specialists not only cite possible side effects of inversion therapy, including headaches and blurred vision, but also the possible health risks for those with pre-existing conditions.  Given the concern among health care professionals, it is best to consult with your doctor before deciding to use an inversion table to help relive back pain.

An April 2007 article in the Chicago Tribune provided a partial list of conditions that should receive attention before embarking on any inversion table therapy.  If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions listed below or think you may be at risk for one of these conditions, it is recommended that you meed with your doctor first.  



Please keep in mind that this list is only partial and may not include all medical conditions that may be exacerbated by using inversion table therapy. 

• Middle-ear infection, extreme obesity, pregnancy;
• Hernias, glaucoma, detached retina, conjunctivitis; 
• High blood pressure, heart or circulatory disorders, recent stroke;
  
• Osteoporosis

Source:
"Turning exercise on its head with inversion therapy" Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL).  20 April 2007. pNA.

Inversion Table Therapy for Back Pain: Is This Therapy for Everyone?

Recently, the use of inversion tables for treating back pain has gained a lot of attention in the mainstream. However, a recent report in the Harvard Women's Health Watch details the main concerns or potential risks when using inversion tables for alleviating back pain.

If you've been considering the use of an inversion table to help your back pain, you may want to become familiar with some concerns and risks listed below.



First, let's briefly review why inversion tables have become so popular in treating back pain. Then, we will cover the important information shared by Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson in her report in the Harvard Women's Health Watch.



Here are some of the benefits claimed by proponents of inversion table therapy for alleviating back pain:



• Inversion table therapy has been claimed to relieve back pain by decreasing pressure, caused by gravity, on the spine.
  
  
• Proponents also report an improvement in posture, flexibility, and an increase in blood flow to the brain.
  
  
• Other potential benefits: it can relieve varicose veins and help abdominal organs correctly re-position themselves.


  
  Dr. Robb-Nicholson's concern with the purported benefits listed above is that, up until now, no scientific evidence has supported these claims.


  
  

Probably the most important clarification by Robb-Nicholson is in the benefit of inversion tables on the spine and lower back pain. It is believed that inversion therapy can help increase the space between the discs, which can help alleviate back pain.

But Robb-Nicholson, as well as other experts, points out that inversion table therapy is probably just stretching the muscles around the spine. So, more than likely, any relief from back pain from using inversion therapy will be short-term since the stretching of muscles can alleviate or reduce muscle spasms.



Dr. Robb-Nicholson also points out the potential risks of inversion table therapy: a decrease in heart rate, increased blood pressure, and increased pressure of the eye.

Inversion table therapy can also cause bleeding of the retina, headaches, and blurred vision.

Who should not use inversion table therapy: if you're pregnant, or have been diagnosed with heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma or any other eye disease.

To summarize, inversion table therapy can provide short-term relief of back pain. However, there are potential risks involved, especially for individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or other heart and eye diseases.

Source:
"By the way, doctor: Do inversion tables work?" Harvard Women's Health Watch 1 Nov. 2009. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.