MEDICAL STUDIES
Manjunath Prasad KS, Gregson BA, Hargreaves G, Byrnes T, Mendelow
AD, Reginal Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle
Upon Tyne, UK (2007)
Inversion Therapy in Patients With Pure Single Discogenic Disese:
A Pilot Randomised Trial, Newcastle University
The study found that inversion therapy decreased the need
for an operation in sciatica due to single level disc protrusion to 23%
as compared to 78% in the non-inversion group. (Summary of study accessible on home page).
Sheffield, F. “Adaptation of Tilt Table for Lumbar Traction.” Arch Phys Med Rehabil 45 (Sep. 1964): 469-472.
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 intervertebral 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.
Nosse, L. “Inverted Spinal Traction.” Arch
Phys Med Rehabil 59 (Aug. 1978): 367-370.
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
(Feb. 1985): 100-102.
Study found all subjects experienced intervertebral 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 (Mar. 1986): 254-260.
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 Intervertebral
Dimensions of the Lumbar Spine.” Jour of Orthopedic and Sports
Phys Ther (Mar. 1985): 281-288.
Study found gravity-facilitated traction produces significant intervertebral 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 ressure.”
The Physician and Sports Medicine 13 (Mar. 1985): 93-96.
Study concluded that full inversion using oscillation procedure presents
no risk to normotensive healthy subjects.
Dimberg, L, et al. “Effects of gravity-facilitated traction of the lumbar spine in
persons with chronic low back pain at the workplace.” (1993): 1-3.
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:
- The employees in Group 1 and 2 decreased sick days due to back pain by 33%.
- Average sick days to due back pain fell by 8 days per individual in the treated group.
- 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): 1-38.
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.
Winsor, H. Sympathetic segmental disturbances-II. The evidence of the association, in dissected cadavers, of visceral disease with vertebrae deformities of the same sympathetic segments. Medical Times, Nov. 1921, 49, pp. 267-271
In 1921 Dr Henry Winsor, a medical doctor from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study to find out if there was a relationship between spinal misalignment and disease in the organ associated with the section of the spine affected. He dissected 50 cadavers, and he found a 100% correlation. He concluded that misalignment causes nerve irritation, which reduces blood flow to the affected organ, and leads to disease. He concluded: “The spine becomes stiff first and old age follows. Therefore, we may say a man is as old as his spine.”
Vernon, H. “Inversion therapy: a study of physiological
effects.” The Journal of CCA 29 (Sep. 1985): 138-140.
Study found a general reduction of emg (an indicator of muscle pain) after three minutes of
inversion. Study found the flattening of the lumbar spine involved a stretching of spinal muscles
and ligaments, which lead to a 25% increase in forward spinal flexion.
Study found significant intervertebral separation (posterior and anterior). Study concluded that an inversion chair may be sufficient to reduce the majority of intervertebral disc protrusions.
Study concluded that the cardiovascular system (heart rate and blood pressure) remained stable through three minutes of seated partial inversion. Authors conclude this stability is due to the full comfort and support of the chair during partial inversion.
Meshino, J. “The Role of Spinal Inverted Traction in Chiropractic Practice.” ACA
Journal of Chiropractic 18 (Feb. 1984): 63-68.
Study stated the hip flexed position (90/90) facilitates lumbar traction by lattening the lumbar
spine and decreasing the loading effect of the psoas muscle on the lumbar spine during traction.
Study stated inversion therapy is preferred over mechanical traction because there is no need for a constricting harness and the safe and simple operation of an inversion chair allows the patient to administer traction.
Study stated inversion helps to negate the effect of gravity on the spinal column. Study stated inversion offers promise as a form of prevention, maintenance, and therapy. Medical Studies on Inversion