To fully comprehend why inversion therapy can be a helpful tool in aiding with back rehabilitation it is important to understand a little about the spine.

Understanding the Spinal Discs

Just what are discs? Your spine is made up of a series of vertebrae stacked on top of each other with a soft spongy disc separating each one from the next. The condition of these disks is imperative for a healthy spine and important for absorbing shock within the body caused by movements such as walking or running.  They are comprised of around 67% water, which is why hydration is extremely important for anyone who suffers from back problems. During the day you can shrink around 2cm of your normal height due to dehydration and the compression on your discs.

You can see from the picture that a normal disc is one that is fully encapsulated, is full and maintains a decent space between the vertebrae. Injury, genetics and wear and tear from us not looking after them can cause the discs to become compressed, degenerated, herniated or bulged. In extreme cases surgery is the only option, however, it is possible to rehabilitate and aid the body in healing itself with the right rehabilitation. This is where inversion therapy can be very helpful.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy is not only a preventative tool for helping to maintain the space between the vertebrae but is also proven to assist in the rehabilitation of disk injuries and back related problems.  Inversion therapy works by placing your body on a decline, using gravity to help elongate the spine and increase the space between the vertebrae. This helps to relieve the pressure on the discs, ligaments and nerves. In effect, it is a tool used to stretch the spine and in some cases can help restore your height by 2cm or more after regular use.

For the most effective treatment of back pain with an inversion table, you want to start with an inversion angle of 10-30 degrees so the body can adapt to the decline and the muscles can learn to relax. Stay inverted for 1-5min and slowly increase this period of time. You want to increase the angle of the inversion table to around 45-50 degrees for a time of around 5 minute’s – inverting up to three times a day.

Inversion is a very subtle treatment and like a stretch, you may feel no immediate benefits; however with regular use inversion therapy can be one of the most effective tools in the process of rehabilitating back problems and in particular disk injuries.