Anybody ever used an inversion table for a bad back?

[MonkeyFunk]

The BF has gotten it in his head that I need to hang by my feet in order to alleviate the problem with my back - which seems to be a herniated disc.

Gravity boots are out of the question, but I have looked around and seen a variety of "inversion tables" that can put you at an angle for awhile - sort of the poor man's traction.

Anybody here used one? Did it work? Or is it just a waste of money?

[Blue-Jay]

1. I heard that it works sometimes.

Never used one myself, but give it a shot. Maybe it'll help a bit.

[suninvited]

2. I like them

but I dont have a bad back. I just like to streeeetch every now and then.

[NMDemDist2]

3. my PT gave me an exercise that was great for my hips and lower back

it's a yoga position I think

get a thick towel and fold it up so it's the width of your hips in a nice thick pad

lay on the floor and put your butt again the wall and your legs up the wall and put the pad under your butt to elevate it but just slightly

relax there for 3-5 minutes

[samdogmom]

4. I have a dentist friend who swears by his!

Apparently dentists develop back problems from all the leaning and bending over patients they do continuously. His inversion table keeps him practicing his profession.

[TZ]

5. A good friend of mine uses one

he likes it okay..but it can only do so much..didn't help him avoid TWO (soon to be three back surperies due to disc issues)
Personally, I think its a bit of a waste of money. You are better off getting one of those supportive full body pillows to support your back as you sleep/lie down.

[crispini]

6. I have one. It's okay.

But my back was never that bad. OTOH, if I remember correctly, it wasn't all that spendy, so if you got one and it didn't work, it wouldn't be THAT much of a waste. I got mine delivered from Gaiam, I think.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. well, the cheapest one I've seen is $150

and better ones are up to $400.

[trof]

9. Easy to make a slant board.

Couple of 1X12s long enough for your body. A strap of some kind at the foot to slip your tootsies under. Couple of concrete blocks for foot elevation.
Viola!

I've used them. Helped take the pressure off lower back and give some relief from pain.

[Bennyboy]

7. My neighbor swears by his.....

And he has a herniated disc. I love to use it too, but I just like to stretch out on it.

[Akoto]

10. My dad has one and loves it.

He has a terrible back, but it seems to give him relief. Just make sure you strap your feet in, or you may introduce your noggin to the floor when you invert. ;)

[yellowdogintexas]

11. depends on if you truly have herniated discs or just massive muscle spasms, as I did

my doc said NO!!!! to inversion table for me.

Recommended mild walking and later massage therapy (deep tissue and myofascial release) It helped tremendously; also my employer did a complete ergonomic eval and ordered a chair to meed the specification she set by prescription for me. If I leave, some other lucky duck with a bad back will get my super chair.

I take Yoga 3 x per week and do some of my favorite stretches on my own. Yoga is excellent for low back.

my husband bought an inversion table for himself, got it at a sporting goods resale shop.

[Cannikin]

12. Hmmm...I've worked over a year in the PT dept of a spine clinic

I can say from experience that people get varying degrees of relief from them. It really depends on where the disk is herniated and how bad. But IMHO, any attempt at conservative treatment should be tried before going for the surgery. Decompression therapy, PT, gravity boots..whatever it takes. Dont bother with a chiro.

[MonkeyFunk]

13. Yeah

I can't tell you how many people recommend a chiro, and I keep saying "no thanks".