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How Does a Gravity Inversion System Work?

Gravity inversion refers to a concept of attempting to make gravity work in opposing ways from its normal interactions with the human body. This is done to help relieve some of the pressure placed on the body throughout the day and is intended to have several different effects on various parts of the body. In the spine, it compresses disks. In more fluid systems, it is designed to help increase circulation.

  1. Definition

    • A gravity inversion system is typically some type of table or bed that people can lie against and strap themselves into. Once secure, the person flips (or is flipped) over until his head is lower to the ground than his feet. Full inversion tips people until they are vertically upside down, but this is not necessary to feel the effects of the inversion.

    Uses

    • Gravity inversion systems are typically used for back pain, although manufacturers claim a number of related health benefits. The purpose of the system is to reverse the way gravity typically pulls on the body, especially on the spine. Instead of the head being pulled downward in a constant compression, inverted gravity pulls the head away from the body, loosening what was made tense during the day. This inversion is not often prescribed by medical care professionals, and unbiased studies have not been conducted on the system.

    Spinal Pressure

    • Spinal discs are the cushion layers that help keep the vertebrae from rubbing against each other, and it is believed that compression in these disks leads to spinal problems throughout the day. Gravity inversion is intended to undo any damage done by pulling the spine in the opposite direction, expanding the jelly-like insides of the disks and relieving built-up pressure.

    Blood Flow

    • When the human body is inverted, blood rushes more easily to the brain, which requires a steady stream of oxygen from the heart. Inversion is intended to help the heart pump to the brain more easily and improve circulation in the upper body. Some manufacturers also claim that inversion can help reduce the possibility of leg clots and drain varicose veins through the same process.

    Waste Systems

    • The body uses lymphatic fluid, which flows in and out of the lymph nodes, removing waste from different areas of the body via the blood stream. Unlike blood, lymphatic fluid is not pumped by the heart, so inversion is also intended to help drain the lymphatic system and the wastes it carries more easily, improving overall health.

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