Most people associate hanging upside down with acrobats and gymnasts. In fact inversion therapy, which requires the patient to be upside down, has been achieving dramatic results in the treatment of backpain ever since it was devised by Hippocrates in 400 B.C.

Medical studies attest that hanging upside down can aid the following:

• improving circulation
• minimizing back pain
• reducing the adverse effects of aging on the spine.

The concept is to counteract the down-pull of gravity. The same idea is used when yoga enthusiasts perform headstands. Inversion therapy assists in naturally aligning the body. Stretching upside down, actually elongates your body’s spine. This position allows blood to flow through your brain more easily and reposition your internal organs.

The effect of gravity can create back pain. This, added to stress, a weak spine and excessive exercise, could make back pain worse. The pressure on your spinal discs is 32 lbs./psi at rest, and even more when you stand up. This compressive force can be counteracted by inversion therapy.

Inversion Therapy Equipment

Inversion therapy requires the patient to hang upside down. Different types of equipment have been developed to aid this process such as gravity boots (which look like ski boots) and various bars and racks. However, these can be complicated to use and have an increased risk of spinal injury due to the lack of back support.

An alternative to inversion bars and racks is an inversion table. By using the inversion table at least twice a day for a couple of minutes, you could notice incredible improvement in your back problems in just a few days.

Choosing the Right Inversion Therapy Table

A good inversion therapy table or gravity table, should allow free movement of your arms and should rotate at an angle that is most comfortable for you. It should include level controls and angle adjusters so you can change the equipment’s settings according to your preference. Finally, an ankle clamp is used to hold you securely in place.

Using an Inversion Table as Part of a Fitness Regime

Inversion tables are flexible enough that you can use them in conjunction with fitness programs or exercise routines. You can lock the equipment at 90 degrees to perform daily sit-ups or squats. You can also use gravity boots while hanging upside down. Inversion tables are very convenient to use and simple to store.

Caution

Inversion Therapy is not recommended to individuals with high blood pressure, spinal complications or osteoporosis.