A constant practitioner in the field of technology, I explored new opportunities that came along my way, and I had everything that I could ever want from life. Life has been a blessing in disguise by offering ample amount of opportunities and I have successfully managed to make a mark for myself by taking advantage of that in whatever I did, whether it was the software industry or now in the field of healthcare. With success coming along my way, little did I know that I would be in for a little trouble on the health front. So amidst all this, I landed up only to find that I was suffering from severe low back pain ie a herniated disc problem.
Like every common man I took to supplements, a few medicines which I decided to consume to get rid of the excruciating pain, but none of the solutions really worked for me. I tried everything possible from acupressure, to supplements to painkillers and many other alternatives. This myth of mechanical failure of the low back has many unfortunate consequences, such as unnecessary fusion surgeries and low back pain that lasts for years instead of months or weeks.
Knocking on the doors of various doctors across India left me without any solution to address my grave problem. The most popular non-surgical medical treatment for chronic, non-specific low back pain has been injection therapy, or shots into the lower back of various substances but the benefits do not last. The seriousness of chronic low back pain is often expressed in terms of the hair-raising economic costs of work absenteeism. There is no certainty to the cause of back pain. The pain can be triggered by bad posture while sitting or standing, bending awkwardly, or lifting incorrectly.
My search to restore my health landed me in the US where I was introduced to inversion therapy. It was like I had found a treasure chest which was a permanent solution to my dilemma. While undergoing treatment, I interacted with many doctors trying to understand and get a clear picture on the concept of inversion therapy.
Once understood, I realized that it was an easy fix solution that required not more that five minutes a day to save me from pain, medicines, those excruciating injection shots and further surgeries. The more sessions I took, the more involved I got into knowing about the process, details and how this creates wonders for many people. I actually read scientific journals, understood the science behind every key point and found link to the original sources. The doctors were open to sharing information on the subject and explained me how the table plays with the gravitational force and the user’s body weight, rejuvenates the disc in the backbone and gets you going after each therapy session. Inversion elongates the body to decompress the weight-bearing joints to stretch and relax muscles.
The procedure ensures that the body gets a long lasting relief by naturally aligning the spine and in process relieving pinched nerves. Medical studies have shown that even while lying down, there is residual pressure inside the discs which is equal to 25 per cent of the standing pressure. By inverting your body at 60 degree this pressure becomes 0 or near zero, and provides maximum relief to Spinal discs on ongoing basis. While this product helps to solve major back ailments like Sciatica, Scoliosis, Spondylosis, Varicose veins, this therapy can also be on used on a daily basis as a preventive cure to maintain a healthy back The doctors started inversion of my body at 30 degree, then at 60 consequently.
When I did my first inversion for a mere four minutes, it almost worked like magic to realize that my pain was subsequently reduced the next day in the morning, or I could say that my pain disappeared the next day. In the initial sessions, inversion for only 1-2 minutes during the first week or two was required and later on once I got comfortable with the treatment; they increased the angle of inversion and time frame as well. At 60 degrees of inversion, my spine received the amount of traction it needed to completely decompress. Each session had a visible improvement. 90 degrees is full inversion where the body hangs freely to be able to perform inverted exercises and stretching. Full inversion is done only if the body is accustomed to it otherwise can result in sore muscles. While inversion, implementation of various exercises helps relax muscles and is most effective as the spine is already in line with gravity.
In just 12 sessions, I felt like my past year was an ugly dream and I was back to being a go getter, once again chasing my dreams. It is easy to use therapy; when inverted, the weight normally supported is just the right weight to apply traction. Gentle stretching and exercise also helped to decompress and mobilize the spine. For me, it was too good to be true but it won me over. It treated the root cause of the back pain when medical supplements, various operations just prolonged it. The inversion therapy not only decompresses the disc, but also improves blood circulation and revitalizes and stretches the muscles and ligaments of the back.
Back to my country; I witnessed there were more like me who were wandering around searching solutions for the same. I took the onus upon myself to share the secret to my relief with the rest who were facing the same ordeal. This resulted in the introduction of my company Backproof in the year 2013. Since I had ended up bonding with the doctors during the course of my treatment, I was able to make arrangements for the tables (the highest quality and classified by Underwriter Laboratories) and got them shipped to India from a US-based company ‘Teeter’ who have the safest and the most widely used inversion tables.
To boost the usability of this therapy, I also started a therapy centre in Bangalore that treats people under the surveillance of professional physiotherapists and guides them through the entire procedure. They will guide a patient through the various touch points to concentrate on when they want to focus on lower back, upper back or the neck region. We have also assorted the entire procedure with a line-up of few hand free exercises to relax the muscles and warm up the body before the start of the procedure.
A few of the products that we introduced are:
NXT-S Inversion Table enhances the user experience to achieve the ultimate in joint and back pain relief through precision balancing, patented stretch grips and an innovative bed design that accommodates pressure point and decompression accessories. In just a few minutes a day, achieve a natural stretch to help improve the health of your spine and joints, increase flexibility, and build strength with inverted exercises.
Contour L5: This is the top of the line, inversion table. A modern twist on a classic design, the beautiful, sleek Contour L5 Inversion Table provides unparalleled user-friendliness and security. The ergonomic Flex-Technology™ bed and Deluxe EZ-Reach™ Ankle System enhance the user experience to achieve the ultimate in joint and back pain relief. Just a few minutes a day on the Teeter can naturally stretch the back and spine to help relieve back pain, improve joint health, and increase flexibility, plus build and tone muscles with inverted exercises.
The DFM tables provide progressive decompression, helping to reduce nerve pressure and hydrate discs for the natural relief of back pain and restoration of functional movement. This is specially designed for use by Medical professionals and widely used by Chiropractors and Orthopedician’s worldwide.
Apart from relief from back pain other benefits of inversion therapy are:
- Rapid clearing of lymphatic system there by easing painful and stiff muscles.
- Increase flexibility and Range of motion, keeping joints healthy.
- Improve posture
- Realign spine
- Reduce stress
- Reduce depression
- Protection from dementia by increasing blood flow, subsequent bio availability of oxygen and glucose.
- Relax muscles
Contraindication:
- Glaucoma
- Pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Fracture
- Hernia
(The author is founder, Backproof)