inversion tables

a friend was asking what i thought of these contraptions for use on a degenerative disc. my gut feeling is they are a load of rubbish for this type of thing since they are pretty costly and don't affect the underlying patholgy. friend is in the chronic pain state and desparate to try anything, i've said i reckon they would be better sticking with their pain management programme.

thoughts please:)

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Originally Posted by Laura01

a friend was asking what i thought of these contraptions for use on a degenerative disc. my gut feeling is they are a load of rubbish for this type of thing since they are pretty costly and don't affect the underlying patholgy. friend is in the chronic pain state and desparate to try anything, i've said i reckon they would be better sticking with their pain management programme.

thoughts please:)

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I would tend to disagree. Whilst I don't push the use of inversion tables (which can be bought these days for about £100) they are rather useful in chronic mechanical problems. Really you are providing self traction which we all know does help those old dessicated discal/joint pains, even if transiently.

The main thing with these is to be very careful as you come off following a lengthy period of traction. With surrounding structures relaxed it is easy to do a new injury in the minutes following. Gentle movements on the floor, e.g. rolling the hips/pelvis side to side, arching and curling the pelvis from flexion into extension etc. should be performed as part of an inversion session. I would say if all else has failed them give it a try.