Medical Studies on
Inversion Therapy
- Sheffield, F.:
Adaptation of Tilt Table for Lumbar Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 45:
469-472, 1964.
175 patients who were unable to work due to back pain were treated. After
eight inversion treatments, 155 patients were able to return to their jobs
full time. Study concluded that the main basis for improvement was the
stretching of paraspinal vertebral muscles and ligaments and possibly the
widening of intravertebral discs.
Study found
significant improvements in a variety of diagnosis including
spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, lumbar osteoarthritis with sciatica, and
coccygodynia. Patient experienced traction in a modified hip flexed
position.
It is worth noting
that previous to his use of inversion therapy, Dr. Sheffield regularly used
mechanical traction with weights and pulleys. He considered inverted
traction much more effective than mechanical traction.
- Nosse, L.:
Inverted Spinal Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 59: 367-370, Aug 78.
Study found emg activity (an indicator of muscle pain) declined 35% within
the first 10 seconds of inversion. Study found that inversion increases the
spinal length. Study concluded there is a correlation between a reduction in
emg activity and an increase in spinal length.
- Gianakopoulos, G,
et al: Inversion Devices: Their Role in Producing Lumbar Distraction. Arch
Phys Med Rehabil 66: 100-102, Feb 85.
Study found all subjects experienced intravertebral separation in the lower
lumbar vertebrae. Study concluded that although mechanical traction has been
used for centuries, only gravity assisted traction (inversion) offers an
effective means of achieving pelvic traction at home.
- Ballantyne, Byron,
et al: The Effects of Inversion Traction on Spinal Column Configuration,
Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Perceived Discomfort. Jour of Orthopedic
Sports Phys Ther. 254-260, Mar 86.
Study concluded that inversion can be an effective means of spinal traction.
Subjects inverting in the hip flexed position experienced greater separation
between the lumbar vertebrae.
- Kane, M, et al:
Effects of Gravity-facilitated Traction on Intravertebral Dimensions of the
Lumbar Spine. Jour of Orthopedic and Sports Phys Ther. 281-288, Mar 85.
Study found gravity-facilitated traction (inversion), produces significant
intravertebral separation in lumbar spine. Study concluded gravity
facilitated traction may be an effective modality in the relief of low back
pain.
- Goldman, R, et al:
The Effects of Oscillating Inversion on Systemic Blood Pressure, Pulse,
Intraocular Pressure, and Central Retinal Arterial Pressure. The Physician
and Sports Medicine. 13: 93-96, Mar 85.
Study concluded that full inversion using oscillation procedure presents no
risk to normotensive healthy subjects.
- Dimberg, L, et al:
Effects of gravity-facitliated traction of the lumbar spine in persons with
chronic low back pain at the workplace.
116 people were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial which lasted for
12 months. A randomized controlled trial with two training groups and one
control group was conducted to asses the effect of gravity inversion on pain
level and absenteeism due to LBP. Average age = 44 years. 77% men
Group 1: used inversion for 10 minutes 1/day
Group 2: used inversion for 10 minutes 2/day
Group 3: control group
Results after
12 months of training program: 1. The employees in Group 1 and 2 decreased
sick days due to back pain by 33%. 2. Average sick days to due back pain
fell by 8 days per individual in the treated group. 3. "Inversion is an
efficient and cheap way to improve employee health and possibly reduce sick
day costs to the employer."
- Nachemson, Alf, et
al: Intravital Dynamic Pressure Measurements in Lumbar Discs. 1970.
Study measured internal disc pressure (in the 3rd lumbar disc) through a
range of activities, including standing, sitting, bending and vertical and
supine traction. The study suggests that a traction load of 60% body weight
is sufficient to reduce the residual pressure of 25% standing body weight to
zero.
|
|
