How to Hang Upside Down for Back Pain

When it comes to relieving your back pain, hanging upside down may not be such a bad idea. Inversion therapy refers to the act of hanging upside down to cure your back pain. One of the safest ways to use inversion therapy is to invest in a sturdy inversion table. The specific purpose of an inversion table is to securely hold you upside down in the hopes of relieving your back pain. If you do not handle the inversion table correctly, however, it can lead to serious injuries.

Things You'll Need

• Inversion table

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Instructions

• 1

  Read the manual of your inversion table. While inversion tables may all share a common goal, different brands will have different setup and adjustment requirements. Reading the manual tells you the specific requirements of your particular inversion table.

• 2

  Adjust the table to your height as outlined by the owner’s manual. If you get the height wrong, your head may graze the floor below the table. Adjust the safety straps that will restrain you as well.

• 3

  Stand with your back pressed against the table. Strap your feet in and use the arms to press your back and the table back, lifting your feet off the ground. Move slowly so that you do not become dizzy.

• 4

  Revert to an upright position after a few minutes. Staying upside down for a prolonged period can cause headaches and dizziness, so don’t stay in that position too long. If you back pain persists, lean back again for another few seconds and repeat until the pain in your back dissipates.

• 5

  Lift your arms above your head as you lean back on your table. This will help further straighten your spine.