Back pain (pinched nerve) - Inversion Table?

[cajuntec]

I'll be seen by my pain management doc a little over a week from now, so I'll be talking to him about the good / bad (recommended or not) of using an inversion table to help stretch my spine out. I've got a few herniated disks - C4/5, C5/6, C6/7, and a pinched nerve that's been bothering me for several weeks now.

In the meantime, I wanted to see if anyone else that has had pinched nerves / disk issues have used an inversion table to help with therapy. I'm looking at a "Teeter" brand right now. They seem to get good ratings.

All the best,
Glenn

[cmh2007]

Can't say anything about the inversion thing, but traction through chiropractic work and massage therapy has helped my pinched nerve in my neck tremendously

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[tkuehn5410]

Inversion tables save big bucks versus therapy. I have jaunt kneck from lowering my head in football, and causing severe compression in my back and neck, and when I do big project for my landscape company, I make sure to spend at least 10 minutes on the inversion table. I've also done the spinal decompression, but that is very expensive, and I've had about the same amount of relief from the inversion as the decompression therapy.
I like the inversion table because it lets you stretch out anti-gravity, and it's easier and more effective than going to a chiropractor for an ongoing problem.

[muddydog]

I've got 2 herniated discs and have lived with back pain for 30 years. A chiropractor was my saving Grace. Most doctors don't recommend them, but it's what worked for me. Haven't seen one now for 5 years. Doctor told me I'd be in a wheelchair by 40 yrs old without surgery, well I'm 53 and actually getting better. Just something to think about......

[Stone Cold Bobby]

I have 2 of my lower disks that I hurt 2 weeks ago, causing numbing in Lt. leg. Can not walk on it. ( or work) I going in for injection (1st round) on Tues. I will be following this link.

[cajuntec]

Thanks for the replies. So far, since this has been a continuous process trying to get relief, I've done the following with these results:

1) Used a local massage franchise-type place - No relief, but no worse.

2) Used another, higher priced local franchise-type place - Actually made things worse, as when the hour was up, she just stopped and left a huge knot in my left shoulder. Pinched nerve in my spine + knotted muscle = extreme pain. Never going back there again!

3) Got a membership at a less expensive chiropractor place than I've used in the past, since they offered multiple adjustments adjustments per month for about what my prior chiro charged for one visit. I thought my old chiro had went out of business because they weren't answering the phone and their Facebook page said "permanantly closed". They didn't do rays or anything. But offered four adjustments per month for about $50. You pretty much get what you pay for, which isn't much.

4) ER visit on Easter Day. Extreme pain. Put on pain meds temporarily while waiting for my doctors office to do a referral.

5) MRI

6) Found out my old chiro just had new hours. Finally saw him and got some relief, but still in a quite a bit of pain. He's very good though. All manual adjustments. No machines. And he's very good at identifying what needs to be adjusted, and what shouldn't be. I've seen him a few times since then, but I'm on work travel right now. Sure could use an adjustment right about now.

7) Found an outstanding personal massage therapist (works for herself, by herself). She offered "cupping", which worked a lot better for un-knotting the muscle that was so jacked up. It left big giant "hickies" on my back, but she warned me about it ahead of time. They went away quickly. Felt good. Highly recommend that technique for badly knotted muscles.

8) Pysical therapy exercises at home.

9) Pain meds from the pain management specialist.

10) First cervical epidural last Friday. Lots of relief. For one day. Back to previous pain level the following day after a plane ride for this business trip.

11) Lots of use of Biofreeze

12) Prayers.

All the best,
Glenn

[stickbowcoop]

I wish you the best of luck. I have had two back surgeries and I am looking at the 3rd (A 3 disc fusion this time). I had a cervical epidural this morning at 8am and I can already tell it is not going to help. Chiropractor's have never helped me, they work for many people though. My wife has some sciatic nerve problems and they usually give her some relief. My neighbor is a heavy guy with back issues and he swears by his Teeter inversion table. So much so I have been considering driving into Academy and buying one.

[wsteffen]

Suffered for three years and finally went to a neurosurgeon. An hour in surgery and one day in the hospital after and have been completely pain free for over ten years now. Therapy and 16 pills a day didn't help. Get it taken care of.

[Stone Cold Bobby]

Neurosurgeon, sent me to get a round of injection on coming Tue. morning. and a round 15 days later. Before doing surgery.

[cajuntec]

I wish you the best of luck. I have had two back surgeries and I am looking at the 3rd (A 3 disc fusion this time). I had a cervical epidural this morning at 8am and I can already tell it is not going to help. Chiropractor's have never helped me, they work for many people though. My wife has some sciatic nerve problems and they usually give her some relief. My neighbor is a heavy guy with back issues and he swears by his Teeter inversion table. So much so I have been considering driving into Academy and buying one.

Dang man. Sorry to hear that you are still having issues after all that. I hope you can get it fixed, or at least get a lot of pain relief.

I found Chiro's usually didn't help me much until I found the one I'm now going back to. I was relieved to find out he didn't go out of business. It gets expensive at $45 a pop (pun intended), but the relief I get from one of those adjustments is worth the cost.

Thanks for the feedback on your neighbor's like of the Teeter. If my pain doc gives me the thumbs up, I'll own one that evening. I used to think spending that kind of money on a machine like that was crazy, but as I get older, the outlay for pain relief seems very worth it.

All the best,
Glenn

[cajuntec]

Suffered for three years and finally went to a neurosurgeon. An hour in surgery and one day in the hospital after and have been completely pain free for over ten years now. Therapy and 16 pills a day didn't help. Get it taken care of.

Unfortunately, I have to go through the "process", although my pain management doc seems to be helping expedite the chain of required events to get me there.

Glad to hear you were able to get yours fixed. Was it your neck area, or further down your back?

All the best,
Glenn

[wsteffen]

Unfortunately, I have to go through the "process", although my pain management doc seems to be helping expedite the chain of required events to get me there.

Glad to hear you were able to get yours fixed. Was it your neck area, or further down your back?

All the best,
Glenn

C5 / c6 All of the testing was the worst part. I think it was 3 or 4 different scans and the needle pricks to look for nerve damage.

[tex4k]

Suffered from herniated disk and related back problems for 30 yrs, therapist helped a lot, inversion table works better and longer than meds. Have been seeing a chiropractor little over a year now, it seems that once you get a kink in your back it throws everything else up and down your body out of line too, the chiropractor keeps my shoulders where I can raise my arms above my head and use them for something other than counterweights when I walk.

[txwhitetail]

Be careful with then a friend of mine dad's broke dropping him on his neck. Broke his neck and killed him.

[Double-O-Dave]

Glenn:

Fellow back pain sufferer here. My doctor, as well as my physical therapist have advised me against the inversion table due to my hypertension. Unfortunately, my back problems aren't "bad enough" yet for surgical intervention. At this point, I cannot walk more than about 30 yards without having to stop and rest due to back pain. If massage seems to help, you might want to look into Rolfing. Rolfing is good, but can be pricey. Also, ask your doctor about a drug called Tizanidine. It's a muscle relaxant, and all muscle relxants are mild tranquilizers. So, you can really only use them at night, but without Tizanidine, I can't get more than about an hour or so of sleep at night.

Good luck,

Dave