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May 11, 2024

Inversion Tables: Benefits, Uses and Risks

Inversion can be good for you if you have compression of the discs in your back, or you have arthritic pain in your middle back, lower back, or hips. SergeyChayko / Getty Images An inversion table is

Inversion can be good for you if you have compression of the discs in your back, or you have arthritic pain in your middle back, lower back, or hips.

SergeyChayko / Getty Images

An inversion table is a cushioned table that allows you to strap yourself in and flip your body at least partially upside down to reduce a variety of spinal pain, including back pain.

Inversion tables are usually used together with other types of back pain therapies and may be a practical alternative to surgery for back pain, sciatica, and other spine-related diseases. They may also provide additional benefits to other parts of your body, such as the heart and lungs.

Here’s all you need to know about inversion tables, including their benefits, and what to look for in one, and whether you should try one.

Inversion therapy "can be very helpful for conditions leading to compression of the joints, especially of the hips and spine,” Cody Barnett, a physical therapist and the owner of Bodyworx Physical Therapy & Concussion Center in Wichita, Kansas, told Health.

For example, inversion therapy can be good for you if you have compression of the discs in your back, such as degenerative disc disease, or if you’re experiencing arthritic pain through your middle back, lower back, or hips. Inversion therapy can also be helpful to relieve general stiffness and tightness in your back.

That being said, healthcare providers will rarely use inversion tables as a standalone therapy. Instead, they may recommend inversion therapy in combination with other treatments, such as manual therapy or corrective exercises, according to Barnett.

An inversion table can help relieve the pressure gravity puts on your spine. Therefore, it can help decompress your spine, increase the space between your vertebrae, and reduce the pressure on your spinal nerves. In addition, putting your legs above your heart may help realign your back and legs.

Studies have found that inversion tables may prevent the need for surgery in some people. In another study, people with back pain that kept them out of work received inversion therapy, and after only eight treatments, were able to return to work full-time.

People with several different back conditions saw improvement with inversion therapy, including:

Research has found that inversion tables may also benefit you in other ways, including:

Here are several recommendations for what to look for when buying an inversion table:

Other things to keep in mind when purchasing an inversion table:

Inversion tables run anywhere from $100 up to $1,400.

"You get what you pay for. Typically, the cheaper inversion tables are less robust," Barnett said. "Before investing in an inversion table, see if you can try one out at your healthcare provider's office or try a friend's who has one. Make sure you have a positive experience. It should never cause or increase pain. If it does, contact your healthcare provider."

As with all medical therapies, there are a few risks involved with inversion tables. Barnett recommends you talk to a healthcare provider before using an inversion table. If approved, continue to use it with caution if you have any of the following conditions:

When used correctly, an inversion table can benefit your health and well-being in many ways. However, an inversion table may become a health hazard if not used properly.

Here are some tips for using an inversion table safely:

An inversion table may be just the thing to decompress your spine and relieve your back pain. But always talk to your healthcare provider before using or buying one. If not used correctly, inversion tables can create even more problems.

Very rarely will an inversion table alone solve your back pain. So, talk to a healthcare provider about the issue causing your back pain, discuss the best treatment options, and ask if an inversion table would be helpful in your situation.

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