Inversion Chair Therapy Procedures

The spine has the difficult job of holding up the body and must contend with gravitational forces. Back pain can be the result of the compression of the spine. Many people have turned to inversion therapy to relieve pain and decompress narrowing spaces between vertebrae.

How It's Done

• Inversion therapy is a relatively simple procedure. The patient lies down on the inversion table and affixes his ankles with the provided straps. An assistant or medical professional gently lowers the head of the table until the patient is at a comfortable degree of angulation. According to Dr. Daniel J. Murphy in the "American Journal of Clinical Chiropractic," the patient should arise after 60 seconds. Each session should increase by a minute until the patient is able to remain inverted for five minutes.

Benefits

• Studies by the National Center of Biotechnology Information have found inversion therapy increases the space between vertebrae and at least temporarily decreases the level of pain.

Warnings

• According to Dr. Randy A. Shelerud of the Mayo clinic, inversion therapy should not be used by patients with cardiovascular disease or elevated ocular blood pressure. Idealspine.com advises that patients with diabetes, retinopathy or obesity should avoid inversion. Someone should always supervise the patient in case of any sickness or injury.