If you suffer from back, neck or sciatic pain, the inversion table will interest you. The inversion table allows you to lie on a bed-type surface, strap yourself in for safety and gradually lower your body so that your feet point up and your head points toward the floor. The angle brings your head lower than your feet in gradual increments until you feel comfortable with the sensation of lying upside-down.
History
In 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine," started devising pulley and rope devices to stretch the spine, according to "Inversion Tables.com." Various forms of "traction" have improved on the design since. The 1980s brought the development of "gravity boots," which allowed people to hang upside-down by their feet in an effort to stretch out the spaces between the small bones of the spine, called vertebrae. The first inversion table entered the market in the 1990s, combining gravity with the support of a table, making the concept more amenable to comfort.
Effects
Gravity takes its toll on the spine over time. The "discs" between the vertebrae that act as a cushion to keep bone from contacting bone eventually flatten under the weight of the body. As the bones get closer to each other, the nerves that run through the space become compressed, causing pain. Called "spinal compression," this debilitating process gave rise to the notion of "decompression" through stretching the spine, according to the Sports Injury Clinic website. Inversion tables offer this relief and more.
Benefits
Use of an inversion table separates the vertebrae, releasing the nerves and diminishing pain. The Lose the Back Pain website states that additional benefits include maintaining normal height without the "shrinkage" of aging; improvement of circulation, as blood moves back to the upper body; and improvement in posture and ease of movement. Inversion tables also help relieve stress and improve mental alertness, natural benefits of improved circulation.
Safety
While inversion tables have a high benefit vs risk ratio, certain medical conditions warrant a physician's approval. Lose that Back Pain states that if you have any of the following, consult your physician before using an inversion table: recent fractures or weak bones, conjunctivitis (pink eye), glaucoma, heart or circulatory disorders, any kind of hernia, high blood pressure, middle ear infection, extreme obesity, pregnancy, spinal injury, stroke, transient ischemic attack or mini stroke, total hip or knee replacements, any spinal surgery. Also, anyone taking an anticoagulant, or blood thinner, needs a doctor's permission. Those who cannot tolerate inversion because of dizziness or fear should try an inversion table before investing in one.
Cost/Considerations
Inversion tables typically cost between $150 and $300, with some exceptions at both the low and high ends. See the References below for FAQ and consumer ratings of the various models. Be advised to identify a preferred model by doing some research first. Sources that do not sell inversion tables make the most objective observations. Once you choose a model, shop for price and guarantee.
