Back
pain is one of the most common physical complaints in the
world. Every day, it is estimated that some eleven million
Americans struggle to get through a day complicated by an
aching back. In the United States alone, some 93 million
workdays are lost each year due to back problems. There
is overwhelming evidence that spending a few minutes each
day hanging inclined can be beneficial to your back, and
to your general health, by simply counteracting the continuous
downward pull of gravity. Hang Ups inversion equipment offers
a safe and comfortable way for anyone to benefit from the
soothing sensation of inversion.
The
concept of turning the body upside down for better health
has been around for centuries. In yoga the headstand position
has been used by yoga practitioners as a way of temporarily
reversing the direction of gravity. However, not everyone
can to do headstands & this position still does not
relieve compression.
Over
time, the compressive force of gravity is particularly harsh
on the spine because of the flattening effect on the spinal
discs. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between
the vertebra, and consist of a cartilage covering which
surrounds a gelatin-like center. Combine the compressive
effect of gravity with stress, weak back and stomach muscles,
a lack of exercise and you have all of the ingredients for
back pain.
Of
course, it is impossible to offset the gravitational effects
of a lifetime just by jumping on an inversion table. But
by spending a few minutes inverted each day, or two or three
times a day, people usually begin to feel results by the
end of the first week. After a month of inversion, many
people don't know how they ever got along without it.
Both
physicians and chiropractors report positive results from
using natural gravity-inversion traction with patients.
A neurosurgeon in San Francisco says inversion seems to
get people over the acute phase quicker than other forms
of therapy. We believe that inversion can benefit the discs,
strengthen ligaments and soft tissues, and relieve muscle
spasms. We've also had success with patients suffering from
herniated discs.
Besides
providing relief from back pain, a daily dose of inversion
can help to promote good health by correcting common spinal
alignment problems, eliminating tension headaches, reducing
hemorrhoids, alleviating the discomfort of varicose veins,
and stimulating mental alertness. Many people suffer, especially
in their later years from prolapsed internal organs that
sag as a result of years of the downward pull of gravity.
Quite
simply, inversion allows gravity to help the body to naturally
correct and align itself. You stretch out and elongate your
spine, get blood to the brain, invert and reposition internal
organs, and take stress off of the heart, which usually
has to pump blood uphill to the brain.
As
with any new exercise program, if someone is in doubt about
their level of fitness, or if they are over the age of 40,
consult a physician before starting an inversion program.
Inversion is not recommended for people with extreme weight
problems, those with a history of stroke, acute back injuries,
or high blood pressure, and it is very important that people
with these conditions consult with their doctor before trying
inversion. Also, individuals who have bone disease, retinal
detachment, or any other serious eye disorders would be
advised to avoid inversion without their doctors permission.
| Why
do some doctors advise against inversion therapy?
|
| For
centuries traction had been one of the primary
doctor prescribed therapies for back problems.
Recently pain medication and surgical treatments
became popular. Even though traction was recommended
for centuries sometimes modern doctors will
advise against inversion therapy. It has been
our experience that one
of the main reasons they advise against inversion
is because they do not understand that the
user has total control over the angle of incline
and extreme angels that may concern the physician
are not recommended nor are they usually necessary
for achieving great benefits. What some doctors
need to realize is that a person can set the
table for horizontal or any mild degree of
incline. When very mild angles are used the
stresses on the body are minimal and any risks
are reduced. We have heard from people over
the years who avoided inversion therapy because
their doctors did not understand the potential
benefits. Some of these people found a different
doctor who did understand how much benefit
could be achieved with as little as 15-20
minutes a day of mild inversion and rhythmic
intermittent traction. This is achieved easily
with the inversion table by creating a rocking
motion. Some doctors
contraindicate inversion therapy for very
good reasons. In some cases they have
not taken the time to study this simple
therapy that has
brought pain relief and
a better quality of life to
hundreds of thousands of people. |
|
For
someone with a back problem about to begin a
program of inversion therapy we offer a few helpful suggestions.
Begin
slowly: Invert only 15 to 20 degrees at first, and
stay inverted only as long as it feels comfortable, which
may only be a few seconds at first. Remarkably, you can
gain all of the benefits of inversion without ever fully
inverting yourself. Most people find 20 to 60 degrees of
decline adequate and very comfortable.
Come
up slowly: When you come back upright the pressure is again
placed on the discs and nerves. Come up slowly and relax
at the horizontal before coming upright.
Make
changes gradually: Increase the angle of decline
only if it is comfortable, and only increase the angle a
few degrees at a time. The Hang Ups F5000 inversion table
has a tether strap to help people stay within their inversion
range. People can add rocking back and forth (rhythmic traction)
to their inversion program once they feel comfortable.
Pay
attention to your body: You're unique, and your body
will tell you what's good for it. You determine the pace
when adapting to the inverted world.
Relaxing
after a long day at a 25-45 degree angle for 15-20 minutes
can be a great stress relieving & rejuvenating experience.
Rhythmic
Intermittent Traction: Use intermittent traction
(pull and release) or rhythmic traction to encourage blood,
lymph, and spinal fluid circulation. Moving, twisting, stretching,
and light exercise while inverted aids in the alignment
of bones and organs while minimizing any increase in blood
pressure, but strenuous exercise is not recommended while
inverted. Just relax and enjoy!
Do
it regularly: There are a variety of inversion programs
and exercises. Trust yourself to find the approach that's
best for you, and then do it every day. Two or three short
sessions a day seem to work best for most people.
Inversion
is a very dynamic & effective form of traction. Even
at a 45 degree angle a person is achieving a greater force
of pull on the back than hospital traction. The force
of the pull registers much stronger on the body than it
does on the conscious mind. This is why it is easy to over
stretch the muscles & nerves of the back and neck &
possibly get a spasm. Remember, most adults have not hung
upside down since they were little kids.
Based
on years of research and the testimonials of hundreds of
people who have found relief from back pain, inversion is
a powerful, natural option for people who want to relieve
lower back pain. Sometimes there's an explanation for why
inversion works, and sometimes there isn't - it works for
some and not for others. We only know that for many people,
literally turning their world upside down through inversion
therapy can provide an alternative to drugs and surgery
in a life filled with daily pain.
Many
people say it is the greatest stretch they have had in years.
Dr.
Bernard Jensen who many consider to be one of the greatest
naturopathic teachers and healers of the 20th century recommends
using a slant board as part of an optimum health program.
This inversion table does everything
the slant board does & more!!!
