Inversion therapy –

Inversion tables are a relatively inexpensive form of home traction frequently used for the lumbar spine issues of disc herniation.   The equipment is relatively readily available from Ebay or sports store vendors.  Although there are not many studies involving pain however there is one small randomized study that did find significant clinical improvement with 77% in the inversion group and only 22% of the control group cancelling surgery.  There was also a 12 point improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index, a measure of physical function, with inversion table therapy. ( Disability and Rehabilitation 34(17):1473-80).  All other studies at the time of this writing are case series and did show a significant percentage of patients returned to work after inversion therapy  from low back pain.  The safety issues are few but real, as are the contraindications (artificial hip and knee patients should not do this therapy, those with significant ankle pain may find this therapy increases the pain.

Painbytes assessment: One thumb up.   Low level inversion study, many traction studies (non inversion), and very limited safety studies.