TMBRA - Rider Board

[speedyd]

Do inversion tables provide any real benifit if you have mild compression atl4-5?

[The Bike Doc]

speedyd:

In my literature search I found two controlled trials of using spinal traction with inversion tables. There was benefit demonstated in these two studies but there was caution offered due to side effects that may be experienced. I have copied their summaries below.


Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1978 Aug;59(:367-70.

Inverted spinal traction.

Nosse LJ.

The effect of inverted positioning on spinal length and electromyographic (emg) activity of superficial lumbar area musculature was investigated in 20 healthy men. Spinal length tape measurements were taken with subjects first sitting erect and after 1 minute in the inverted position. An integrated bioelectric monitoring system was used to quantify emg activity. Initially, a stable emg baseline was identified for each subject resting supine on a motorized tilt table. The randomly selected control group subjects remained supine for an additional 245 seconds. Experimental group subjects were inverted for half this duration and returned to the resting position for the remainder. Data were recorded for 10-second accumulation periods of emg activity 16 times from each
subject. The 1-tailed paired t-test was applied to all data. The difference
between the means of the spinal length measurements taken sitting and during inversion was highly significant (p less than 0.005). The difference between the mean emg activity of the inversion period and the baseline mean was also statistically relevant (p less than 0.03). This study concluded that inverted positioning for short periods significantly increased spinal length and reduced emg activity of the superficial lumbar area musculature of normal males. These findings complemented the clinical observations of several authors.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Controlled Clinical Trial

PMID: 687049 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1985 Feb;66(2):100-2.

Inversion devices: their role in producing lumbar distraction.

Gianakopoulos G, Waylonis GW, Grant PA, Tottle DO, Blazek JV.

Twenty persons with chronic low back pain participated in a clinical study to evaluate the effects of gravity traction. Each subject was instructed in the use of three devices, two for inversion and one for upright suspension traction. Baseline pulse and rate blood pressure were recorded before and after traction. Periods of traction did not exceed 20 minutes. The order of use of the devices was randomized. Each participant was monitored for significant side effects and was questioned to determine which device was best tolerated, easiest to use, or caused changes in back symptoms. Lateral lumbar spine radiographs were taken with the subject in the standing position and after varying periods of inversion. Observations included the following: An average increase in blood
pressure of 17.2 systolic (range 4-34) and 16.4 diastolic (range 2-50) while in the inverted position. An average decrease in heart rate of 16.4 beats per minute (range, 4-32). No significant physiologic changes of blood pressure or pulse were observed in patients using GLR suspension traction; distraction of the lower lumbar intervertebral spaces (range, 0.3 to 4.0 mm) with inverted traction in all cases; side effects including periorbital and pharyngeal petechiae (one patient), persistent headaches (three patients), persistent blurred vision (three patients), and contact lense discomfort (one patient); and improvement of low back symptoms in 13 of the 16 symptomatic patients. Although these devices make lumbar traction practical in a home setting, their use should be under medical supervision because of possible side effects.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial

PMID: 3155939 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Some of the medical jargon explained:

Electromylographic (EMG) activity: the electrical nerve and muscle output. Increased EMG activity suggest irritation of the nerve or muscle.

periorbital and pharyngeal petechiae: small ruptured blood vessels that cause little red dots around the eyes and the back of the throat

So bottom line: inversion tables may help but there can be side effects and complications so visit with your doctor about using one before pursuing it.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc

[Anonymous]