Do Inversion Tables Work for Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica affects around 40% of people in the UK at some point in their lives. It gets its name as it affects the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower back to your feet. The symptoms include numbness, weakness, tingling and even a sharp or burning pain in the back of your thigh or pelvis.

With the discomfort this causes, you are likely intrigued by potential therapies that could lessen the symptoms, or even reduce your chances of developing sciatica.

This guide explores whether inversion tables work for sciatica pain. If you’re new to this equipment, don’t worry, we’re providing a quick summary of how it works.

How Does Inversion Therapy Work?

As a quick summary, inversion therapy suspends the body upside down safely and comfortably. Why would you want to do this? Well, by lying upside down gravity can do its thing, helping to bring blood and nutrients to your brain, and giving your spine and back a gentle stretch to help with decompression. This can offer some relief for a multitude of back pain conditions, while also giving your posture a boost as an added bonus.

However, if you need more convincing that gravity can do that for your body, read on to find out how inversion tables can help with sciatica.

Will an Inversion Table Help with Sciatica?

In a significant breakthrough, a recent study featured in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science unveils encouraging news for individuals grappling with sciatica and lumbar disc disease.

The findings challenge the notion that surgery is the sole recourse for relief, showcasing the potential of Teeter inversion therapy in alleviating back pain and symptoms associated with sciatica, possibly eliminating the need for surgery altogether.

Research Methodology and Key Findings

Conducted at Newcastle University, the case-controlled study delved into the effects of regular inversion therapy on pain symptoms in sciatica patients waiting for surgery. The primary objective was to measure symptoms and compare the surgery rate following inversion for 85 participants, juxtaposed against three control groups.

Remarkably, the study revealed that individuals with lumbar disc disease and sciatica, who consistently practiced inversion therapy with a Teeter inversion table, were 50% less likely to require surgery compared to matched counterparts who did not engage in inversion exercises. This significant reduction in the likelihood of surgery persisted up to two years post the initial trial period.

The study concludes that, “inversion therapy reduces symptoms and the rate of surgery in patients with lumbar disc disease and sciatica.”

Natural Relief: Benefits of Inversion Therapy

Beyond surgery avoidance, participants maintaining an inversion practice reported substantial improvements in overall back pain symptoms and disability. The study highlights, “after inversion treatment, we also saw improvement in the pain and disability measures in the registry patients… more than 75% of patients showed an improvement over the time period.”

Among the reported improvements were:

• A 50% reduction in the VAS pain score, persisting for months after initial in-clinic trials.
• Substantial decreases in overall pain symptoms and disability.
• 74% reported experiencing less pain.
• 69-75% exhibited reduced physical limitations due to low back pain.
• 39% eliminated the need for pain medication.
• Increased range of motion and improved reflexes.
• Reduction in sensory impairment.

How Long Should I Use an Inversion Table for Sciatica?

If you’re a beginner to inversion, it’s best to give you and your body a chance to adjust. Start by using an inversion table for sciatica for 1-2 minutes per session, and once acclimatised you can raise this to 3-5 minutes depending on how you feel.

Who Shouldn’t Use An Inversion Table?

While most people can regularly use an inversion table to support a healthier back, if you have certain health conditions, we’d recommend that you don’t use an inversion table.

Any health condition that’s exacerbated by changes in blood pressure, intracranial pressure or pressure on the joins renders the inversion table unsuitable.

Contraindicated conditions include:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Neurological conditions that cause tingling, numbness or weakness
• High blood pressure
• Spinal cord injuries
• Hypertension
• History or risk of stroke
• History of intracranial bleeding
• Heart disease
• Hernia
• Kidney disease
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Severe acid reflux

People who are pregnant should also avoid inversion exercises. As always, it’s important to consult your doctor before starting a new health or fitness routine.

Conclusion: Teeter Inversion Therapy’s Transformative Impact

The groundbreaking study underscores the transformative potential of inverting with Teeter Inversion Tables, especially for those contending with sciatica and contemplating back surgery.

Inversion therapy, a practice dating back thousands of years and rejuvenated in the 1960s, has gained renewed prominence in contemporary healthcare.

Teeter, a trusted name in the inversion industry since 1981, stands out as a beacon of quality and innovation. With a commitment to enhancing the well-being of over 3 million individuals, Teeter continues to empower people to feel better, move better, and live better at home through their range of top-notch inversion devices and fitness and recovery tools.