Back pain is a very common and complex problem. In majority of people it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of pain: muscle, disc, vertebra, spur, joint, ligaments etc. With advancing age more people get back pain and it is thought that human bipedal upright posture puts tremendous weight and pressure on elastic, cushion like discs and causes their degeneration, resulting in inelastic spine with loss of shock absorption capacity and back pain.Unfortunately, there are very few modalities which work long term for back pain. Exercise & Yoga and Acupuncture are the two proven modalities for long term back pain relief and prevention. Pain medications work but have long term risks and costs. Surgery for chronic back pain is very controversial - probably helps surgeon more than the patient.
That is where inversion tables come in. Theoretically, in upside down posture, the body weight stretches the spine in other direction and decompress the discs and slows down the damage caused by weight and compression. It is a form of traction. Medical literature has less than a handful studies indicating the benefits of inversion. But we don't know whether the studies have not been done or they were negative and not published in journals. The journals only publish positive studies, not the negative ones. Studies also show that blood pressure increases by about 15-20 mm in inverted position so inversion should not used, for risk of stroke, if the blood pressure is high to begin with.
Since theory was appealing, and I am already doing back exercises and Yoga, (Back Care Basics: A Doctor's Gentle Yoga Program for Back and Neck Pain Relief) which work to an extent, I decided to try inversion table based on anecdotal recommendation from friends. The inversion tables can be power (motorized) or manual. The manual inversion tables are cheaper but putting ankle strap is difficult andthe angle of inversion is difficult to adjust. Power inversion tables are more expensive but the angle of inversion is more flexible and can be adjusted to your comfort level and the ones with power ankle clamps are easier to get into and out of.
Teeter Power Inversion Tables are sturdy and models are II to VI. Power ankle clamps are in IV and above. I bought Teeter Hang Ups Power V Inversion Table from Costco.com, which has power ankle clamps and have used it for 4 months so far. [...]
Teeter Hang Ups Power V table is sturdy and in general mechanics of the machine work well.Despite power ankle clamps, you still have to be very careful getting in and out of the inversion table, I have already scraped my legs once. The longer you are on the table in inverted position the more the inversion angle, more likely you are to get ankle discomfort.
Does it help the back pain? After 4 months of use, I think it does but it took some experimentation and trial and error. I started using 10 minutes twice a day and gradually increased the angle of inversion. 10 minutes duration is based on one study which showed that disc pressure does not lower any further after 10 minutes of inversion. I also found out to use it after and not before treadmill, otherwise it increases back pain. The effect on back pain relief is not as good as with exercise & Yoga, but it adds to the benefit from back exercises. In my experiences, adding inversion to back exercises has provided me equivalent relief to Acupuncture.
Therefore, based on 4 months of use and some research, my conclusions are that inversion does help back pain, but increase inversion angle gradually and go for the power inversion table, Teeter Hang Ups Power inversion tables are good and get one with motorized ankle clamps, [...]
Product Description
Whether you want to enjoy better posture, reduce back pain, or simply minimize your daily stress load, the Teeter Hang Ups Power II inversion table makes a terrific choice. Inversion therapy works by placing your body in line with the downward force of gravity. In the process, inversion elongates the spine, increases the space between the vertebrae, and relieves the pressure on discs, ligaments, and nerve roots. And less pressure means less back pain, as well as fewer headaches and neck problems. Inversion is ideal for people with persistent spine and muscle aches, in addition to athletes who frequently push their body out of whack through repetitive muscle motions, such as runners, weightlifters, skiers, bikers, and golfers. Studies suggest that inverting yourself a mere 25 degrees for even a few minutes per day can have tremendously positive effects.
Unlike other inversion products made for home use--which tend to require customized adjustments for each user, the Power II table is operated at the push of a button. Once activated, the table slowly and easily rotates to any comfortable angle, allowing for a relaxed inversion experience every time. The table also includes a bed frame made of decompression foam, which helps optimize the traction stretch (lower-density foams actually restrict body slide, thereby hindering the effectiveness of your inversion experience). Other features include comfortable foam ankle clamps; a heavy-duty, scratch-resistant white frame with a powder-coated finish; durable handgrips to help you get on and off the table; and an 88-page medical research book on inversion written by an independent medical researcher. The Power II--which accommodates people as tall as 6 feet 6 inches and who weigh as much as 300 pounds--carries a two-year warranty.
About Teeter Hang Ups
Roger and Jennifer Teeter founded Hang Ups Inversion Products in 1981 and have been dedicated to manufacturing quality inversion products ever since. Roger and Jenny truly believe in the benefits of this simple, natural form of therapy that has been around since 400 BC. In the late 1970's, Roger tried many forms of therapy to help manage his pain. He finally discovered that by inverting, he was able to relieve his back pain and begin the road to recovery. He credits inversion for keeping him pain free, healthy, and active. Inversion has changed Roger's life, and now he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of inversion and quality products.
STL International, creator of Teeter Hang Ups brand inversion equipment, has pioneered standards for quality and performance in the inversion market. All Teeter Hang Ups F-series inversion tables are classified in accordance with UL 2601-1 (medical equipment in a clinical setting), a rigid specification that tests the structural integrity of the equipment.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Teeter Hang Ups Power II Inversion Table (White Finish)
