Inversion saved me... (lower back)

[blopid]

Hey all... It's been a while since I posted or commented here, but I wanted to share this experience... About a month or so ago, I had (what I call) a lower back "episode"... I was out of work and life for about 3 weeks. Had to take meds, anti-inflammatorys and muscle relaxants... It was HORRIBLE!!! As I was getting better, I started thinking... "What can I do different that I haven't been doing to maybe prevent this from occurring so much?" So I was talking to a friend who told me that he recently bought an inversion table. He said that it had done wonders for his lower back problems. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it really helps some people, and it doesn't help others, but at the very worst, it won't hurt you... Needless to say, I went on a quest for a table & gravity boots... I have been using it now for about a month, maybe 3 to 4 mins, twice a day. I can tell you that I have never felt better. Even before my back went out on my this last time, I would wake up very stiff, & with moderate pain. It would take me about an hour to be able to bend & move more normally. Since I started using the table, I have not felt that way at all... I've been working out & playing tennis, and have never felt better. Now I'm not saying this will cure me, or that I will never have another episode, but it's something that has, and I believe will, help me to maintain a stable back. So, just thought I would share because I know there are many lower back pain sufferers out there... Later all...


Peace...

[rpaul11]

I have heard many stories such as your about the benefits of using these. Even for somebody with no problems now...these inversion tables seem to work by reversing the compression of the spine brought on by everyday life.

Glad you are finding releif

[LyingSac]

thanks for the post,I'm always looking for anything to naturally ease back and neck pain.....Sac

[Hortonized]

I know for a fact myself, as I have lower back issues myself. The inversion does work wonders! It helps me out tremendously.

Originally Posted by blopid

Hey all... It's been a while since I posted or commented here, but I wanted to share this experience... About a month or so ago, I had (what I call) a lower back "episode"... I was out of work and life for about 3 weeks. Had to take meds, anti-inflammatorys and muscle relaxants... It was HORRIBLE!!! As I was getting better, I started thinking... "What can I do different that I haven't been doing to maybe prevent this from occurring so much?" So I was talking to a friend who told me that he recently bought an inversion table. He said that it had done wonders for his lower back problems. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it really helps some people, and it doesn't help others, but at the very worst, it won't hurt you... Needless to say, I went on a quest for a table & gravity boots... I have been using it now for about a month, maybe 3 to 4 mins, twice a day. I can tell you that I have never felt better. Even before my back went out on my this last time, I would wake up very stiff, & with moderate pain. It would take me about an hour to be able to bend & move more normally. Since I started using the table, I have not felt that way at all... I've been working out & playing tennis, and have never felt better. Now I'm not saying this will cure me, or that I will never have another episode, but it's something that has, and I believe will, help me to maintain a stable back. So, just thought I would share because I know there are many lower back pain sufferers out there... Later all...


Peace...

[Old-Time-Lifter]

I used to have a pair of the original 'gravity boots'............ used them for ab work, sold them years ago in a garage sale. Never noticed an effect on my back.

[GreenWave1]

Congratulations on finding something that relieved your pain. That is fantastic.

[MiamiSpartan]

my best friend, who lurks on this site on occasion, was really helped by this as well...
He highly recommends it...

[67fastback]

I definitely looked at these, as there is a back store nearby that sells inversion tables.

I find getting on the chin-up bar and just hanging, helps stretch out (probably not as much as inversion).

Sometimes I just hang there and let one leg swing back and forth or do light kicks or pendulum swing from side to side or back and forth at the hips. Gets a bit of a stretch going.

[Crush505]

Blopid, Good post! I have an Orthopod which is different from inversion tables. You climb into it an it flips forwards. It holds you by the thick of your thigh so no pressure on ankles or knees. It definitely helped low back problems, plus you can do inverted ab work. I have seen the Teeter on TV and at stores, it looked pretty good as well. Health to you!

[Zingaritano]

Glad to hear your back is doing better. We've missed your posts.

[JOHN GARGANI]

Blopid, you were sorely missed, my friend....I am glad to see you back and also very happy that you have found something to stengthen that area.....

[beachguy498]

I have a chiropractor that has an inversion frame. It helped me when I had terminal sciatic pain. I used to work on his boat (talk about a losing deal..) and I'd go in just about any time and use it. Just a different tool in the tool kit.

BG

[blopid]

Originally Posted by LyingSac

thanks for the post,I'm always looking for anything to naturally ease back and neck pain.....Sac

My pleasure... If it helps just one person, I would be thrilled... If my friend had not told me about it, I might never have taken the leap...

Originally Posted by GreenWave1

Congratulations on finding something that relieved your pain. That is fantastic.

Thanks bro... It's been a long search for years. I've found some things that have helped, but this has been the best...

Originally Posted by Crush505

Blopid, Good post! I have an Orthopod which is different from inversion tables. You climb into it an it flips forwards. It holds you by the thick of your thigh so no pressure on ankles or knees. It definitely helped low back problems, plus you can do inverted ab work. I have seen the Teeter on TV and at stores, it looked pretty good as well. Health to you!

I appreciate it, and yeah, it's the Teeter, and older model that I found on Craigslist, but it's fantastic... I also lucked out and found a pair of gravity boots on Ebay for a local pick up... Imagine the luck... Best of luck with your therapy...

Originally Posted by Zingaritano

Glad to hear your back is doing better. We've missed your posts.

Hey buddy, looking great there by the way... Thanks for the kind words... I had to take a step back because I think I seem to create too much drama sometimes... lol Good to see you...

Originally Posted by JOHN GARGANI

Blopid, you were sorely missed, my friend....I am glad to see you back and also very happy that you have found something to stengthen that area.....

My friend, how the hell are ya? Thanks man, I missed you too... Yeah, my back is finally much better, and like I said, better even then before this last episode... I think the table was meant to be... Talk to you all later...

Peace...

[GreenWave1]

I have been rehabbing a lower back injury for months. After reading your post yesterday, I ordered an inversion table. I'm looking forward to giving it a go.

Thanks for the tip!

[asf_mtb]

I find it to be very relaxing and great at relieving minor aches and pains. I bought mine at Costco. They have great deals on them every once in a while.

[mikieson]

I have heard that they can help, but im always the last to pull the trigger. I have a horrible back that goes out if I blink to fast. Had this problem since 25 and im 37 now. Very painful and have shed my fair share of tears to it.

I might try and save up and grab one. I really have nothing to lose I guess.

[filipino_muscle]

Originally Posted by blopid

Hey all... It's been a while since I posted or commented here, but I wanted to share this experience... About a month or so ago, I had (what I call) a lower back "episode"... I was out of work and life for about 3 weeks. Had to take meds, anti-inflammatorys and muscle relaxants... It was HORRIBLE!!! As I was getting better, I started thinking... "What can I do different that I haven't been doing to maybe prevent this from occurring so much?" So I was talking to a friend who told me that he recently bought an inversion table. He said that it had done wonders for his lower back problems. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it really helps some people, and it doesn't help others, but at the very worst, it won't hurt you... Needless to say, I went on a quest for a table & gravity boots... I have been using it now for about a month, maybe 3 to 4 mins, twice a day. I can tell you that I have never felt better. Even before my back went out on my this last time, I would wake up very stiff, & with moderate pain. It would take me about an hour to be able to bend & move more normally. Since I started using the table, I have not felt that way at all... I've been working out & playing tennis, and have never felt better. Now I'm not saying this will cure me, or that I will never have another episode, but it's something that has, and I believe will, help me to maintain a stable back. So, just thought I would share because I know there are many lower back pain sufferers out there... Later all...


Peace...

I just do the chiropractor for deep tissue massage and adjustments on a monthly basis to keep my stuff in line. I do weights, plyos, calisthenics, functionals, basketball training, and basketball, so my back and muscle take a serious pounding. I also have a foam roller at home I use every night.

[vcackerman]

Originally Posted by mikieson

I have heard that they can help, but im always the last to pull the trigger. I have a horrible back that goes out if I blink to fast. Had this problem since 25 and im 37 now. Very painful and have shed my fair share of tears to it.

I might try and save up and grab one. I really have nothing to lose I guess.

Mikie - if you are in a big metro area, scan craigslist - I see them on Chicago's from time to time.

[GROWLER]

I keep my Inversion Shoes in the boot. When in need I whip them suckers out and hang from the chin up bar like an Aussie Fruit Bat. Duz wonders.


G

[masel99]

Originally Posted by 67fastback

I definitely looked at these, as there is a back store nearby that sells inversion tables.

I find getting on the chin-up bar and just hanging, helps stretch out (probably not as much as inversion).

Sometimes I just hang there and let one leg swing back and forth or do light kicks or pendulum swing from side to side or back and forth at the hips. Gets a bit of a stretch going.

I've used an inversion table for over two years. It does do wonders. If I have an episode, I'll do both, hang upside down and stretch on the chin up bar.

[Tyciol]

Glad this helped you!

Originally Posted by 67fastback

I find getting on the chin-up bar and just hanging, helps stretch out (probably not as much as inversion).

Sometimes I just hang there and let one leg swing back and forth or do light kicks or pendulum swing from side to side or back and forth at the hips. Gets a bit of a stretch going.

Neither is better than the other. Both are great ways of stretching. People should do both if they are able. Your ankles and hands can only take so much weight, so by doing both ways, you get more cumulative stretch.

As for what stretches better, in regards to your spine, it's about your centre of gravity. Hand-hanging stretches the upper back better, foot-hanging stretches your hips and lowest vertebrae better. Around the region of your centre of gravity it is basically identicle.

Hand-hanging will not decompress your neck. You have to be inverted to do that (or have someone pull on it, or get one of those inflating Ho pillows or something). You can invert hanging by hands, by kicking your feet up, but not everyone can do this easily. This is actually the first step to hanging from gravity boots if you don't have a table.

Hanging like this is fine for your neck, but then you compress your spine. Hanging by feet is the only way to compress the entire spine (neck is part of spine) simultaneously.

[Jill75]

Originally Posted by Tyciol

Hanging like this is fine for your neck, but then you compress your spine. Hanging by feet is the only way to compress the entire spine (neck is part of spine) simultaneously.

I think you mean decompress your spine? Standing up - gravity what makes your spine compress and inversion decompresses it.

Is this recommended with a mild scolio in the lower back like me? I've had occasional back pain and would like to know if this can help. Stretching at times relieves it but not totally.

[paolo59]

My trainer has had me hanging upside down lately with those gravity boots. It's an amazing sensation, and it indeed is incredible how beneficial it is. It even seems to effect my sinuses in a positive way!

[old-n-fat]

Saw this post and thought it was The Holy Grail. Everyone seemed to have positive things to say! I was impatient, I ran to Sears and bought the only model they had; a Nordic Track which set me back about $370.

I lugged it home, threw my back out getting it out of my truck. Suffered through about 5 hours of pain and torture (mental and physical) putting it all together, all the while trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Finally got it all together! Strapped my ankles in, felt very comfortable. Leaned back a bit and... instantly got vertigo. Almost puked. Why couldn't they just make the damn thing flip forward?!?

[blopid]

Originally Posted by old-n-fat

Saw this post and thought it was The Holy Grail. Everyone seemed to have positive things to say! I was impatient, I ran to Sears and bought the only model they had; a Nordic Track which set me back about $370.

I lugged it home, threw my back out getting it out of my truck. Suffered through about 5 hours of pain and torture (mental and physical) putting it all together, all the while trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Finally got it all together! Strapped my ankles in, felt very comfortable. Leaned back a bit and... instantly got vertigo. Almost puked. Why couldn't they just make the damn thing flip forward?!?

I does take some getting used to... After a week or so, I promise you, your body will get used to it... I hope it works out for you bro...

Peace...

[elzool]

I almost ordered one of these but instead went to yet another doctor instead for my bad back. I'm 39 and have had back problems for 20 years.

With one blood test it was discovered I have a genetic disorder that causes inflammatory arthritis in my spine. A dozen doctors missed testing for this before this one caught it. The condition is called Ankylosing Spondylitis. Maybe none of you have it but if you have been suffering for a long time and it's this, there is a fix. It's a shot that you take twice a month but it completely relieves all pain in my case and I can work out without fear.

I'm still interested in a Teeter table I saw at Costco for stretching but I'm now scanning Craigslist and not as anxious about picking one up.

[OHIOSTEVE]

Originally Posted by Jill75

I think you mean decompress your spine? Standing up - gravity what makes your spine compress and inversion decompresses it.

Is this recommended with a mild scolio in the lower back like me? I've had occasional back pain and would like to know if this can help. Stretching at times relieves it but not totally.

I injured my back a while ago doing dead lifts..spent a ton at the chiro with no results ( mild at best) bought a set of gravity boots, used em ONE TIME and was 90% better. I have degenerative discs and scoliosis and it does help. I will tell you that the hardest thing with using them is relaxing. The scoliosis makes using them pretty painful and you will tend to "flinch" your back and keep it tight. you have to relax and let it pull but it does help a LOT. I have been using the boots on and off for a while so a few tips if you don't mind.....DO NOT hang after a massage or a hot bath, it is too much and actually really hurts. The muscles are TOO relaxed at that time..... after hanging LAY DOWN with your feet propped up and relax for a half hour or so, it makes a big difference IMO. Have someone with you the first couple of times you use the boots. getting down is NOT easy sometimes and the help may be needed.

[OHIOSTEVE]

oh..... an easy way to get on the chin bar if you have it on a power rack.
My power rack has the chin bar on the top, and the adjustable bar racks directly under it. If you set the bar where you can lay on the bench with your feet toward the rack and your head out the front of the rack....and reach up and grab the bar< you can literally walk up the back side of the rack and hook the boots over the bar................to get down just reverse the procedure.

[StackedEng]

For the last 3 yrs or so, I've started having major lower back pains. This is due to a degenerative disk in my lumbar region. The pain would come and go. It could be triggered at the most random times. I could just be sitting in a chair and slightly twist to grab a piece of paper and boom....sharp PAIN in my lower back!!!! The pain typically lasts 3-7 days.

This last Saturday, I went to pick up an inversion table(the 7th day of my week long aggravated back pain). I've read a bunch of reviews and went with the Tweeter 550 table (their entry model, but super SOLID engineering). It was the best $300. i've ever spent to this day!!! I've been using the table 2-3 times a day (1 x AM before work, 1-2 x PM) for 2-5 mins at a time. It's kind of addicting in a way.

Since Monday I've been back in the gym hitting it hard again, staying consistent (w/o the fear of my back going out after some treadmill cardio or squats). After getting some wanted relief from this new contraption, I am able to continue with my active lifestyle. Now, I'm just more proactive with the care of my back. I'm able to sit in my office chair without my back stiffening. I've even brought a physio ball to alternate my office seating, which also helps with my core strengthening.


Ok, sorry to ramble. I just wanted to share this great discovery (for me) with everyone who might be experiencing lower back pain. At only 37 years of age, i was almost "crushed" thinking that I might not be able to play in my softball league, take weekend backpacking trips, hit the gym as hard as i feel like, etc. ever again. Anyways, give'er a try if you have one accessible to you. The decompression of the spine is an awesome feeling!

[Chicago1287]

I have NEVER heard of this. I don't know why. So basically, you just lay down on this thing and then hang upside down for a few minutes?

I've had back problems for years now after an injury from deadlifts (when I was a complete beginner). I couldn't walk for a week, and I laid in a hot tub for 3 days straight. And then went to a chiropractor for a year just because of improper form. To this day, I still can't do regular squats or deadlifts. My lumbar area and lower are always in pain. This past week, I've had some bad pain too and I don't even know why.

So you got something called Teeter? I'm gonna have to check it out. Any specific recommendation to which one I should try?