I've been suffering for a couple of weeks now with an aching back. Self-administered inversion therapy has been suggested. I've been searching the internet for the various contraptions or devices which make this treatment possible. Does anybody have any kind of experience (good or bad) with inversion therapy? The gist is that you angle or hang with your head down to stretch out your spine and your muscles. This sounds like it would be helpful to me but I haven't seen much in the way of warnings or adverse side effects...
What you do is: buy an old trashcan, beat it to hell with a rubber mallet, and then have someone push you backwards into it... My dad had to use a sling for about 6 months. Nothing special about the thing. He just needed to hang his head in a sling. He did it in the TV room for an hour an evening. I'm sure it sucked at the time, but he's great now. His problem was a pinched nerve in his neck, though.
giddy, I'd at least go to the Dr. and find out whats wrong with your back before you try any abnormal home remedies. You could end up making your back alot worse.
Giddy, besides the good advice of seeing a doctor, a good chiropractor (one suggested by someone you know), and a good massage therapist (ditto), here are a couple of suggestions... And, what my message therapist uses, by lying on his back on one, and rolling back and forth (you get an excellent stretch, and it has a lot of "give," so the pressure on your back is not so intense). I've had this suggested to me more than once the last few years. Haven't tried it myself, yet. You have to get a size that is comfortable for you. Bigger, rather than smaller works best, from what I remember. Relax-the-Back has stores, where you can see these products yourself. Here's their website. They started in Austin. http://www.relaxtheback.com/main/ho...575&CFID=21340946&CFTOKEN=470422129&Site=main Good luck!
My only suggestion re: doctors is be VERY careful. Most doctors, unless they have a lot of experience treating back inuries tend to, ultimately, recommend one of two things: 1. Pain therapy - ie. medication to lessen inflamation and pain 2. Surgery The problem is that medication won't fix the problem if it is chronic and surgery often compounds problems with the back. Backs are tricky because they comprise a wide range of issues relating to bones (spine), muscles, tendons, ligaments, protective facia (the stuff that lays over the top of the muscle and covers your whole back) and nerves. Chiropractors look specifically at the structure of the spine which may or may not be the problem. Doctors tend to look for disc problems and muscle or tendon damage unless they are neurologists and then they look at the nerves. I've had a LOT of experience with back problems and have been to everything from GP's to surgeons to neurologists to physical therapists to accupuncturists to chiropractors. If it is something that is chronic, make sure you get LOTS of opinions on what may or may not be wrong and make an educated decision based on the totality of those opinions. Don't just go to a GP or chiropractor and take their advice alone. Most of us wouldn't trust major overhaul repairs to a single mechanic, so why should we bestow that level of trust to a single doctor when it comes to our bodies?
Jeff gives good advice. FWIW, I've had upper and lower back problems. A good chiropractor has always worked for me. The last one also gave me some leg stretching and strengthening exercises that helps to relieve stress on my lower back. I have an inversion bench and that's all I need now. It works great.
Thanks for all the replies. I've been going to a chiropractor for almost 25 years. He does help immensely. This most recent episode has caused me some concern. It has taken much longer to get functional again. I had an accident on 12/4 with some lane oil at a bowling alley: long story. One recent sleepless night I caught an infomercial on one of these inversion tables. In fact, I think it is the exact one that Deckard posted a picture of: the Teeter Hang-Up. It has a medical equipment rating. My back troubles started at age 17 after two years of playing recreational basketball in a 25 LB weighted vest. I was seeking the Ollie Taylor Phenomena. I have a disc problem- verified by mylograms and X-rays. I've managed to live with it but sometimes it seems to be getting harder to get back up and running.
Does it come with the blond? Is that part of the therapy? Can I get a prescription for the blond on the ball that I can show my wife?
Does insurance cover chiropractors and massage therapist if you are having back problems? I was in a wreck about a month ago and have been having back problems ever since. I would love for insurance to cover the work that I have done on my back. Especially if it could cover me getting a happy ended on a massage.
I just spent about 10 minutes on one of those Teeter Hang-Ups-- wish my Christmas stocking was that large. It felt good to stretch out. I can imagine where a brief twice-daily regimen of that would be very beneficial. It's weird to hang upside down vertically....
