Information on the Gravity Inversion System

Gravity inversion involves hanging the body upside down with the intention of reaping health benefits. The technique has spawned controversy and has fallen in and out of favor since its inception. Proponents--from fitness experts to chiropractors--often counter the dismissals of the larger medical community with esoteric studies or anecdotal evidence. Gravity inversion continues to enjoy wide popularity despite the controversy.

Equipment

• Gravity boots sparked interest in inversion when they started appearing on television and in movies in the 1980s. Enthusiasts can still find gravity boots alongside a wide variety of inversion tables, inversion chairs and inversion benches, which mainly differ in degrees of portability and price. Each apparatus operates by securing the feet and supporting the back. The back section then swivels on a hinge so the body is upside down. Modern equipment is designed to make it easier to pull yourself back up, although most manufacturers recommend you have someone nearby to help.

Benefits

• Gravity can weaken spinal discs over the course of your life.

  Gravity compresses the spine at every moment that a human being walks or sits upright. Inverting the body reverses the pull of gravity on the vertebrae. Advocates claim doing so allows the cartilage, ligaments and blood vessels to heal and become stronger while pressure is relieved. Moreover, sufferers of back pain sometimes find the shift of weight alleviates discomfort.

Criticism

• Opponents charge that merely lying down horizontally across a bed or table provides similar relief.

  The medical community at large takes a dubious view of inversion therapy. While the idea of easing the burden of the spine has some merit, critics argue similar benefits from redistributing gravity can be achieved simply by lying down. The proportion of time a normal active person spends upright also greatly outweighs the amount of time you can expect to spend in an inversion apparatus. Excessive periods of inversion have been shown to pose health risks.

Dangers

• While the apparent benefits of inversion therapy rely on reversing the effects of gravity on the spine, you must keep in mind the technique also reverses the effects of gravity on your cardiovascular system. Suspending yourself for extended periods of time causes blood to pool in the upper half of your body. Health experts almost unilaterally recommend against inversion if your heart or arteries are in poor condition. The excess blood flow can increase pain or hemorrhage in your eyes or brain.

Considerations

• Inversion can add a welcome challenge to basic crunches.

  Hanging yourself upside down can increase the intensity of your workout. Advanced users find abdominal crunches and sit-ups more effective with the additional burden of working against gravity. If you have back pain, you may experience temporary relief from the use of inversion techniques. However, they do not effectively replace medical treatment by a doctor or chiropractor. You should weigh the benefits you expect against the cost of the equipment and the potential risks.