Hi wes! I was at physical therapy yesterday and they said part of my program will include one of those upside down tables. Have you ever done that? I have not but I guess I am going to be after a few more weeks of them "manipulating" my dumb leg and my spine.
I know you can do this brother! Getting old(er) isn't for the sissy-set, LOL! It takes hard work to stay healthy but you've got a lifetime of knowledge with you so you are ahead of most of us! Knock it out of the park, my friend!
Inversion tables are not all that great. Considering that 60% of your bodyweight is from the top of your head to your waist (90% in Bhanks case), why load the lower lumbar disks with this kind of weight....even if 30deg off vertical for minutes at a time. People can't even stretch for 30 seconds...now your asking the ligaments (anterior and posterior longitudinal, interspinous and supra spinous, transverse and intertransverse, and finally ligamentum flavum) to be put in a stretch like that? Also, if there is any facet arthrosis, your asking the joint capsule to tolerate something like that? Its no wonder those things can be bought on craigslist for like $50.
Loading and unloading in short periods has been shown to be best. Slow eccentric movements is also one of the best things for the ligaments and tendons that have taken a beating, especially in the lower back.
Depending on what you have, extension based exercises may not be the best either. People with lower back issues predominantly have WEAK transverse abdominus muscles. Today people have become "chest breathers"....we are meant to breath from diaphragm. Easiest way of engaging the TA is this:
Lay on your stomach...when you breath in gently PUSH the belly button into the ground. When breathing out, gently pull the belly button BACK towards the spine. NOT suck your stomach in...but engage and feel the belly button retract. Do this for 20 breaths....rinse and repeat.
Wes, also do some static holds of squats with chest up....grab the edge of your sink....go down into squat and hold for 20 - 30 secs. Do this 3 - 4 times. Focus on pulling shoulder blades down towards hips and chest up. Sounds stupid simple...but it does help