using any of these machines. These self traction machines are
abundant on the net and vary in price. Many fold up to save space. I have had excellent results with my patients who use these machines for lower back traction. Great results with
Hanging Around
ello Off Roaders! Many of my patients who have lower back pain often ask me about hanging upside down as a way to treat back pain. There are a few types of machines that we can traction out our backs on by hanging upside down. The most common one I see works like a teeter-totter and many of you have seen this one on TV and other places. (See the picture.) Before the teeter-totter types came out, there were just the boots with hooks that strap around your ankles so you could hang from a bar across the top of a doorway. The problems with those is that while many a person could get in the upside down position, there were some who could not get out of them without assistance. Some folks found this out while at home alone. Not a good thing. The other issue is that they put a lot of force through the ankles and it was often not comfortable. The teeter-totter type swing machine is much easier to get in and out of compared to the boots hanging from the bar style. One can also regulate the amount they would like to invert by using their arms as balance while on the teeter-totter style machines. The other type of machine hangs you from the waist and hip without any pulling on ankles. This is called a back revolution machine and is my favorite. As many people have had problems with their ankles, knees and hips, this machine
H
conditions of lower back pain caused by lumbar disc injury, sciatica, facet joint imbrication (joints jammed together), tight muscles in the lower back and/or weak abdominal muscles.
These machines can help people stay pain free with regular use and work very well with chiropractic treatments and physio-therapy. I have even had patients who were scheduled for disc surgery who never had to have it after chiropractic, traction and use of these types of machines. Because off road folks, mx’ers, ATV’ers all get compression to their backs from the bumps and jumps, they often have back pain.
Teeter-totter traction machine
hangs you right from your hips in an upside down sitting position. If you have knee, hip or ankle issues, this is the way to go. It is also more comfortable as it does not pull on your ankles or the hair on your legs.
If you have had hip or knee replacements, or extensive knee or hip surgery, always consult with your doctor before using any of these types of machines.
The back revolution style machine does not have the ability to go only partially upside down as the teeter-totter style does. You are completely upside down. Another advantage of the traction from the hips is that your knees and hips are bent at about 90 degrees in the upside down position. Therefore, it is much easier to do upside down sit-ups and crunches to strengthen your core abdominal muscles. And, as you do your upside down sit-ups, you increase the traction/ stretch to your lower back. (See the picture of the back revolution style machine.)
Traction at waist
If you have had any history of aneurysms or stroke, always consult with your doctor before
www.SS-OffRoadMagazine.com - JANUARY 2012 - S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE 21
These types of equipment offer yet another non-drug alternative to help cure back pain and stiffness, even sciatica (pain down the leg following the Sciatic nerve). Many can be found used at great bargains. If you have any questions about these machines, call me at 619-291-2462 or e-mail at
deforest192@yahoo.com. I’ll be happy to speak with you. I also have a catalog at my office where you can go over all the
different types of inversion traction machines. I have used the back revolution style machine that hangs you from your waist for over 20 years with super results, even prevention of lower back pain, to counter the pounding and compression of motocross riding.
Dr. Gary De Forest has been a San Diego based chiropractor for 28 years with his office in Old Town. He is always happy to speak with you about any health concerns you may want to discuss. He can be reached at
deforest192@yahoo.com or at his office, 619-291-2462.
Diamond Don's 2010, Gary age 52
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