Inversion table and cortisone shots for back pain therapy

[GuyWin]

Has anyone used an inversion table (a table that lets you hang upside down) for treating lower back pain?

I went to a surgeon this week for consultation after getting my MRI results. He said I didn't need surgery and gave me a referral to a anesthetist for a cortisone shot. He also recommended the inversion table. He said it would relieve the pressure on my backbone.

Has anyone actually used an inversion table for this purpose? What were the results? Did it really help?

What about the cortisone shots? Do they work?

[getdul981]

I've used an inversion table and could not tell that it helped. I've also had several injections and they do help. The first one may not and the second one may not, but by the time you have the third, it usually helps tremendously.

[Mudder]

Altho the idea behind an inversion table seems reasonable, it can actually injure your back more. Well, let me qualify that remark.....if you are over about 60 years old it can possibly hurt your back more as can a chiropractor. The injections help many people and yes you may have to have the series of three. You can have them every year. However, another way to help your back pain is to exercise a bit more. Walking , bike riding are the best with Yoga added for strength and flexiblity. Eight months ago every step I took was painful now I do three spin classes a week, play tennis several times a week, swim laps and do Yoga 4 times a week. Golf is still a bit painful but nothing like it was before. Start with the simple stuff you can do on your own then maybe go to the injections. These are my opinions about back care, I feel like I've investigated every cure for back problems, I think i should have a Phd in Backology!

[getdul981]

Yeah, I forgot to mention exercise and if you're overweight, losing some of that will definitely help. I could stand to lose a little more myself as could most of the US population.

[kaydee]

A close friend of mine has chronic issues with her back and has had amazing improvements due to treatment received by Davis Chiropractic. I know that a specific table was used in her treatment but can't say if it was an "inversion table". I know that it was said to her that if after a few treatments there is no improvement then he (Davis) would not continue and give false hope but would refer to another.
Just my opinion based on the improvement of my friend and her high praise of Davis Chiropractic.

[jebartle]

An inversion table for Villagers age 60 plus would be very risky....Stroke would be a possibility.....Now about Chiropractors, some good, some not so good, also true of EVERY profession....BUT Chiropractic is non-invasive, I'm sure there are many TOTV members that have a large scare running down their back that have second thoughts about thier back surgery choice and those that sing their surgeons praise...Bottom line, low impact back exercises should be the first choice

[dolpterry]

I have had the shots but they did not help, had surgery 15 years ago and it helped . About 2 years ago i had another flare up with pain down my leg from the nerve,tried the chiropractor who used a table that streched up apart. I got some relieve but ended up buying a inversion chair, which is a little more user friendly then the hang-up table. You just sit down ,buckle your self in and flip backwards, it works great. You have to start out with only a few minutes and work your way up, at first the blood going to your head is strange but after using it for a week you do not notice it at all. Best investment i have ever made for my back. Good luck.

[starflyte1]

My husband has had shots, and most help, but not every shot.

Burt was going to a neurologist and mentioned the pain down his leg. The doctor gave him BOTOX shots in his butt 18 months ago, and that particular pain has never returned. That definitely did help.

[swimdawg]

Has anyone used an inversion table (a table that lets you hang upside down) for treating lower back pain?

I went to a surgeon this week for consultation after getting my MRI results. He said I didn't need surgery and gave me a referral to a anesthetist for a cortisone shot. He also recommended the inversion table. He said it would relieve the pressure on my backbone.

Has anyone actually used an inversion table for this purpose? What were the results? Did it really help?

What about the cortisone shots? Do they work?

I tried an inversion table a few years ago. My back went from bad to worse. :(

[renrod]

I had an inversion table (Teeter), also went the chiropractic route. More anti-inflammatory pills than you should take, cortisone shots and finally surgery by a Neurosurgeon. In the hospital 2 days, immediate relief from the back pain and 10 weeks later playing golf. The best thing I’ve done for my back, never mind the pills I’m no longer taking. Everybody is obviously different and his or her problem is also different. Find a good Neurosurgeon who will look after the nerves, after all that is the problem, something is touching the nerve.

[aljetmet]

I've had back problems for 34 years. never had surgery. Had my first bulging disk in my lower back about 6 years ago.
About 7 weeks ago after an MRI I was told that I had arthritis and a couple of bulging disks in my lower back. My orthopedic gave me a steroid pack that helped.
Losing weight and starting to exercise at a gym has paid off.

So after a 7 week lay off I'm trying 9 holes tomorrow.

Leaving the driver in my bag and playing the short tees.

Please wish me luck 'cause I have to be able to play golf when we move to TV!

[JohnN]

I had an inversion table, didn't help and I didn't like it..
the shots should help.. helped my foot a lot

[kofficer]

The cortisone shots are usually given in sets of 3, and my first three took my pain away for 3 years. However, when I did the set again, it only helped minimally and I have been taking pain pills instead for years. However, exercise is what helps me the most. I take my pill and go to the gym, and lost 50 pounds, and for the most part, my pain is much reduced now, from where it was when I started. I have a badly degerated L3-L4 disk. I know bowl 3 nights a week. I think everyone is different and what might help one, may not help you.

[JenAjd]

I too could have a PhD in back issues! I really began to go "down-hill" about 10 years ago with my lower back issues. Then it got worse in the winter this year. I saw Dr. Spurrior, the neurosurgeon, who recommended an MRI and after that sent me to Dr. Pinnamaneni, whose a pain specialist. I had 2 steroid shots and they did help me. However, I believe they're just a "band-aide" as when we age our spines will decline (lose cartilege or whatever) and we become shorter. This also puts pressure on the "cushions" between the discs. If there is injury, bone spurs occur and can put pressure on the nerves, thus the pain. So...I never had the 3rd shot. My condition worsened and I had surgery. So far, so good! I will have to update later on whether this helped long-term or not. BUT I was told by many that Dr.Spurrior is VERY good in what he does. The P.T. that came to my house said he sees patients who've gone to Ocala or to Leesburg and by far the patients who see my doctor seem to fare the best. His opinion!!

Another great exercise pool-walking as it takes the strain off the joints PLUS is good resistance exercise.

[jebartle]

An inversion table for Villagers age 60 plus would be very risky....Stroke would be a possibility.....Now about Chiropractors, some good, some not so good, also true of EVERY profession....BUT Chiropractic is non-invasive, I'm sure there are many TOTV members that have a large scar running down their back that have second thoughts about thier back surgery choice and those that sing their surgeons praise...Bottom line, low impact back exercises should be the first choice

Inversion tables should be used with caution!

[nitakk]

It seems to me that the inversion table is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. I, too, have had the epidural shots repeatedly (on my fourth set currently) and they are losing their effectiveness. Personally, I find the more I move the better I feel. Since my back is always going to hurt and has for the past 15 years, I am not going to stop doing the things I love to do like playing golf. Most days, I am having so much fun out there and enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife we have here in TV, I forget I'm hurting.

[JJ&TJ]

Inversion tables are a help to some cases of back pain. I myself benefit from it. Have not been to a back cracker for two years and I had been going for a long time. The older you are you should not invert yourself as far upside down. Any degree past 90 relieves the spine, opens the disks. Dont go over very far. Now there are alot of back problems that should not use inversion, talk to a doctor. I know of a lot of people that have been ruined by back surgery and a few that it has helped rid the pain. I myself am a big chicken when it comes to any type of surgery so that is out for me. Now the shots are a great help but some people have had bad reactions to them. A fellow I worked with had a bad reaction, made him sick and lost work, lost 30 lbs which he didn't need to lose. Just be careful and consult your doctor.

[PJOHNS2654]

:$:Last summer I tweaked my back when I reached into trunk of car over my golf cart to get my golf bag. Pain was severe that day, unable to finish round of golf. Went to chiropacter that day adjustment didn't help. Two days later couldn't get out of bed with worse pain of my life. Ambulance to ER, pain kiler and muscle relaxer relieved pain. Afew days later was able to walk but with a slap (foot drop) when my right foot hit the ground.

My Dr.(Osteopath) ordered MRI and it showed herniated disc. When I would not consider surgery he suggested the inversion board (30 min. at 90o) I used it for about six weeks with much improvement with my gait. Spent next six month in TV without board and went to pt. helped some but my drop foot came and went. Now Back home using inversion board and gait improved within a few days. Will get another board when I return to TV in the fall.



Has anyone used an inversion table (a table that lets you hang upside down) for treating lower back pain?

I went to a surgeon this week for consultation after getting my MRI results. He said I didn't need surgery and gave me a referral to a anesthetist for a cortisone shot. He also recommended the inversion table. He said it would relieve the pressure on my backbone.

Has anyone actually used an inversion table for this purpose? What were the results? Did it really help?

What about the cortisone shots? Do they work?

[gcrisp]

Have not used the inversion table. Had lumbar fusion surgery 18 months ago. Extreme pain and lost control of left foot (foot slap). The surgery relieved the pain--10 brackets, 20 screws and 2 rods. Onlly pain is scare tissue breaking loose on left side. Just stings when I over extend. I use a cane sometimes for balance. I play golf usually only 9 holes--not as flexible as I once was. Looking forward to spending more time on the golf course and doing other activities which seems to help. The heat also helps with my flexibility. Have an offeron our house, just waiting for the buyers house to sell.

[natickdan]

Albeit not an inversion table, I spent quite a bit of time in PT with a similar device and had no noticeable benefits. I tried chiropractic care with terrible results.

I've had back surgery and I deal with on-going stenosis and arthritis in my back and neck that creates quite a bit of stiffness. For years, I have been getting facet injections in my neck and back on average every 3 months. I also get the nerve endings in my back burned off every 3 months by a procedure called radio frequency lesioning (RFL). These procedures help, but they are not, for me, a cure.

I have spent thousands of dollars on acupuncture, chiropractors, massage therapy, special mattresses, chairs and other devices. I now realize there isn't a magic fix. I exercise daily and although my marathon days are behind me, I've accepted what I have to deal with and I look forward to every day ahead of me. Life is good!