Gravity Inversion Tables

Since the day when Hippocrates tied a man to a ladder and turned him upside down to alleviate the pain in his back, people have been refining inversion therapy. Along with that they’ve been trying to come up with the best inversion table that offers stability, smooth operation, and comfort. Based on 2000 years of refinement, here’s what you should look for in inversion tables for back pain.

Safety First, Look for a Recommended gravity inversion table

No matter what the inversion table benefits, they won’t apply to you if the table is unsafe. Look for a table that has passed testing from independent laboratories like Underwriter’s Labs. Check the construction thoroughly, looking for things like weak welds, poorly aligned bolts, and other dead giveaways that the table is unsteady. Be sure to check the guarantee and keep the owner’s manual in the event you have a problem. Be sure to check the height and weight limits and do not exceed them.

Everyone’s Got an Angle

Not everyone wants to hang completely upside down on a gravity inversion table. But even a slight angle of inversion can be very helpful. The best inversion table will be adjustable from a small tilt to a full inversion. The adjustment should be virtually instantaneous so you can vary the degree of the tilt whenever you want. This is particularly helpful if you’re somewhat hesitant to go “full tilt” at the beginning.

Cycles and Re-cycles

Find out what material the gravity inversion table is made of and what durability tests it has passed. Quality varies considerably so ask how many “cycles” the model can be expected to deliver. A good measure is to look for a table in the 10,000 to 20,000 cycle range.

Putting It All Together

You will probably have to set up your gravity inversion table yourself. If at all possible, take a look at the assembly instructions before you buy. (You can often see owners’ guides on the internet.) Otherwise, be sure to read the instructions all the way through as soon as you get your table home. Highly rated tables generally take from 15 to 30 minutes to set up and can be folded for storage.

Using inversion tables for back pain is a proven therapy. To get the most out of your table, put some effort into choosing the right one for you.