Inversion Tables – Do they work for Back Pain & Sciatica? And how to do I use one? (2 videos)

Feb 4, 2021

One of the most common questions I get from our clients with chronic lower back pain, as well as those experiencing sciatica, is whether or not using an inversion table will help ease their pain.

The answer to that question depends largely on one key factor: the Root Cause of their back pain (and/or their sciatic nerve pain).

For example, clients with degenerative types of back pain, such as degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative joint disease (DJD) and stenosis tend to do really well with using an inversion table.

That’s because the underlying cause of the pain has to do with too much compression of the spine.

And, when you decompress the spine by using an inversion table, the lower back pain often improves.

Other types of back pain (and nerve root compression) may not respond as positively to inversion.

So how do you know if you should try an inversion table for your back pain (and/or for your sciatic nerve pain)? 

In the first video below, I’ll explain all those details about how to decide if using an inversion table is right for you.

And in the second video (just scroll down a little farther), I’ll show you the ins and outs of how to use an inversion table.

The topics in the second video include the following: 

->> How to adjust how far back the table tilts

->> How to adjust the table to your height (so it’s easy to tip AND tip forward)

->> How long you should try inversion at first (the initial duration)

->> How to build up your time (duration) and frequency over time

I hope these 2 videos help answer some of your questions about using an inversion table to assist with lower back pain and sciatic nerve issues.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

Good luck!

– Luke Gordon, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy and Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy)

Here’s the first video about inversion tables:

And here’s the second video about inversion tables: