What Are the Benefits of Gravity Inversion Tables?

Inversion therapy is considered an alternative therapy technique for pain associated with the spine, it is a type of traction treatment. Inversion tables are just one of the possible ways to get benefits of inversion therapy, others include manual traction, gravity boots and assisted traction. While many report relief associated with the use of an inversion table, according to Mayoclinic.com, the relief is often only temporary.

Significance

• Complete inversion is often an uncomfortable experience for the first-time user. As opposed to gravity boots or inversion chairs, inversion tables allow the user to gradually increase the degree of inversion.

Traction

• Traction can provide back pain relief through spine stretching and mobilization. Throughout the day the spine can get compressed by up to 3/4 inch, traction potentially reverses that effect by stretching the spine. Traction has been used as technique to relieve back pain for over 100 years.

Muscles

• Inversion increases the circulation of blood in the body and can help muscles relax, thus promoting recovery, decreasing muscle spasms and flushing out some of the waste within the muscles.

Joints

• Gravity takes a toll on the joints of the body. Inversion allows the joints, which are constantly fighting gravity, to relax and increases blood flow to them.

Fun Fact

• Inversion can be traced as far back as the Greek Empire. Hippocrates, philosopher and doctor, noted that he saw a person hanging upside down on a ladder to stretch the spine.