Question
i have a herniated disc at l4-l5. will an inversion table help alleviate some of the pain or symptoms.  I was told that decompression is good for this condition. Will this machine help in decompression.
Thanks and take care
Leo

Answer
Dear Leo,

Yes, an inversion table can help your condition...because when you invert the table, it places a tensile pull on the structures of the low back to include the joints, ligaments, muscles and disk.  That being said, I do not normally recommend inversion tables to patients because of the fact that they also pool blood into the structures of the neck and head to include the brain, and this creates increased intercranial pressure.  It can lead to aneurysm or stroke in individuals who have weakened blood vessels or are on medications.

If you are young, have no history of heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol/lipids in the blood, then an inversion table is probably safe, although I believe that decompression therapy is the better choice because it targets the same tissues without the risks of inversion, and can be specifically targeted to the L4/L5 disk.  In addition, you should also look into a technique called cox flexion/distraction.  It can be performed in most chiropractic offices and is taught in all the schools, but make sure to ask if they have a flexion/distraction table.

Good Luck Leo, feel free to write back if you have any further comments or questions, and I promise to get back with you sooner.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net