Benefits And Risks Of Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy is a treatment designed to relieve a variety of ailments including lower back pain, poor circulation, scoliosis, and sciatica. It involves strapping an individual to an inversion table by their ankles and around the waist, and then turning the table upside down so the patient's head is facing towards the floor. In this position, the spine decompresses due to the gravitational force. It is believed engaging in inversion therapy can help reduce the damage caused by gravity as one ages. While inversion therapy is minimally invasive and has some benefits, there are some risk factors associated with it. As such, those interested in inversion therapy should seek guidance from their physician first.
Let's review some of the benefits and risks of inversion therapy now.
Heart Conditions Causing Increased Complications
While there are some benefits to using inversion therapy, it does pose certain risk factors for individuals with pre-existing conditions. This risk factor is especially elevated for patients with heart conditions. Some heart conditions causing increased complications during inversion therapy include hypertension and heart disease. Being inverted causes the heart rate to slow, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. This blood pressure increase also increases how hard the heart must work to circulate blood throughout the body. If the heart is already damaged due to heart disease and other heart complications, the extra stress caused by being inverted can have extremely adverse effects. As such, individuals with heart conditions are encouraged to avoid inversion therapy.
Learn more about what conditions can be risky in regards to inversion therapy.
Bone And Joint Conditions Causing Increased Complications
Some bone and joint conditions causing increased complications during inversion therapy are osteoporosis and arthritis. Individuals who recently fractured a bone and are still in the healing process should not use inversion therapy as well, since the process can lead to further damage to the injured area. And while inversion therapy may seem tempting to relieve the pain caused by arthritic inflammation and osteoporosis, studies indicate inversion therapy alone will not reduce pain or rectify damage any damage caused by the diseases. Individuals seeking to use inversion therapy for arthritis or osteoporosis should seek advice from their physician first.
Continue for more details on the risks of inversion therapy now.
Other Facts And Conditions Causing Increased Complications
Other facts and conditions causing increased complications during inversion therapy include eye diseases, pregnancy, and ailments involving the ears. Hanging upside down causes increased pressure in the head, including in the eyes. If an individual has an eye disease, such as glaucoma, this increased pressure can cause the retinas to detach, resulting in major damage and bleeding from the eyes. This pressure can also be damaging to individuals with inner ear diseases, such as Meniere's disease. Inversion therapy should be avoided for individuals experiencing inner ear and eye ailments, as well as women who are pregnant. Inversion can result in a fetus being encased in too much amniotic fluid causing it to switch positions and become breech. A woman's abdominal muscles are also typically weaker during pregnancy and inversion increases the risk for abdominal separation and injury.
Now that the major risks have been discussed, get familiar with some of the benefits associated with inversion therapy next.
Alleviates Back Pain
Individuals experiencing back pain who are looking for a non-invasive treatment method may want to try inversion therapy, as studies indicate it alleviates back pain. When the body is suspended in the inverted position, it relieves pressure on the joints and tendons responsible for carrying the load in regards to overall body weight. With the relief in pressure, the joints and tendons can heal, reducing inflammation, damage, and overall pain. The decompression experienced during inversion therapy has the possibility of reducing many different types of back pain, including pain from damage to the discs and joints. Individuals who experience frequent back spasms may also find relief from inversion therapy.
Uncover details on the next health benefit linked to inversion therapy now.
Increases Circulation
Inversion therapy also increases circulation throughout the body. Poor circulation throughout the spine can result in pain in the back and the neck. Inversion therapy increases circulation by adjusting the way blood moves throughout the body. During the inversion process, muscles, joints, and bones are naturally pulled down into a full stretch due to the force of gravity. This pulling and stretching allow for any circulatory impediments to be broken down and allow for full blood and oxygen circulation to all areas of the body. This circulatory increase can aid in pain relief not only to the back muscles, spine, and neck, but to other areas, including the shoulder joints and hips.