Medical Studies

The following are a sample of the numerous medical and scientific studies that confirm the effectiveness of inversion therapy.

Study 1: Sheffield, F.: Adaptation of Tilt Table for Lumbar Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 45: 469-472, 1964.

175 patients who were out of work due to back pain were treated with gravity inversion therapy. After eight inversion treatments, 155 patients were well enough to return to their work full-time. The study concluded that the main reason for positive change was the stretching of paraspinal vertebral muscles and ligaments, and possibly the widening of intervertebral discs. The study also found major improvements in a variety of diagnoses including spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, lumbar osteoarthritis with sciatica, and coccygodynia. The study's patients experienced traction in a modified hip flexed position via inversion.

Study 2: Nosse, L.: Inverted Spinal Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 59: 367-370, Aug 78.

This study found that patients' EMG activity (an indicator of muscle pain) declined 35% within the first 10 seconds of inversion. The study also found that inversion lengthens the spine. The study concluded that a correlation exists between EMG reduction and increases in spinal length.

Study 3: Gianakopoulos, G, et al: Inversion Devices: Their Role in Producing Lumbar Distraction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 66: 100-102, Feb 85.

This study found that all of its subjects experienced intervertebral separation in the lower lumbar vertebrae. It concluded that although mechanical traction has been used for centuries in various ways, only gravity-assisted traction (inversion) effectively achieves pelvic traction at home.ﾠ

Study 4: 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. 254-260, Mar 86.

This study concluded that inversion can effectively create spinal traction. Its subjects inverted in the hip flexed position, and experienced greater lumbar vertebrae separation.ﾠ

Study 5: Kane, M, et al: Effects of Gravity-facilitated Traction on Intervertebral Dimensions of the Lumbar Spine. Jour of Orthopedic and Sports Phys Ther. 281-288, Mar 85.

This study found that gravity-facilitated traction (inversion) produces healthy intervertebral separation in lumbar spine. It also concluded that inversion therapy may effectively relieve lower back pain.

Study 6: Goldman, R, et al: The Effects of Oscillating Inversion on Systemic Blood Pressure, Pulse, Intraocular Pressure, and Central Retinal Arterial Pressure. The Physician and Sports Medicine. 13: 93-96, Mar 85.

This study concluded that full inversion using the oscillation procedure presents no risk to normotensive, healthy subjects.ﾠ

Study 7: Vernon, H.: Inversion therapy: a study of physiological effects. The Journal of CCA 29: 138-140. Sep 85.

This study found a common reduction of EMG activity after three minutes of inversion. It found that the flattening of the lumbar spine involved stretching of spinal muscles and ligaments, which in turn lead to a 25% increase in forward spinal flexion. The study also found significant intervertebral separation in both the posterior and anterior. This study concluded that inversion chairs may be sufficient in reducing the majority of intervertebral disc protrusions common to many people. It also concluded that the cardiovascular system (heart rate and blood pressure) remained healthfully stable through three minutes of seated partial inversion. The experiment's authors conclude this stability is created by the full comfort and support of the chair.ﾠ

Study 8: Meshino, J.:The Role of Spinal Inverted Traction in Chiropractic Practice. ACA Journal of Chiropractic 18:63-68, Feb 84.

This study stated that the hip flexed position facilitates healthy lumbar traction by flattening the lumbar spine, and by decreasing the load of the psoas muscle on the lumbar spine during traction. The study found inversion therapy to be preferred over mechanical traction, as there is no need for a constricting harness, along with the safe and simple operation of the inversion chair allows the patient to personally administer traction. The study concluded that inversion helps to negate the harmful effects of gravity on the spinal column. The study also stated that inversion offers promise as a form of prevention, maintenance, and therapy.