willie williams's List: Inversion Table Center

"A gravity inversion table can help you do things that are difficult (if not impossible) to do on your own. Under normal circumstances, everything that we do causes gravity’s force to put pressure on our backs and lower bodies. By lying in an inverted position, the pressure is eliminated for a short period of time. This could be very beneficial to your health and fitness.

The tables work by allowing you to strap your ankles securely in place while you are in a standing position. When you are ready, you tilt back to your desired angle. In some cases, this could be as little as 20 degrees away from lying flat. Some of the better brands allow you to adjust the angles and most manufacturers recommend the low angle for beginners."

"Teeter Hang Ups are inversion tables that allow you to securely hang upside down to relieve back and joint pressure. Although they are designed primarily to elongate the back, you can also stretch your legs and hips. Doing so, however, requires a bit of active participation."

"Inversion therapy treats a multitude of back conditions, ranging from sciatica and soreness to poor circulation and lower back pain. Various studies show the treatment does work, including one published in The Spine Journal. This study found that an inversion table reverses the effects of gravity on one's spine while allowing vertebrae to loosen up and separate. Another published in the Rheumatology journal found sciatica relief is obtained with the use of the table."

"Inversion therapy is a method of decompressing your spinal column by literally turning yourself upside down. Inversion tables give you control over exactly how far you are tipped. Using an inversion table can release tension in the neck, back and create more spacing between vertebrae, reducing the frequency of headaches. The relief provided by an inversion table may only be a short-term solution, according to Randy A. Shelerud, M.D., of MayoClinic.com. Never start a new exercise or therapy program without first contacting your doctor."

"Proponents say inversions can be beneficial, because when you spend your life sitting or standing, blood pools in the lower part of the extremities. Inversions can reverse the blood flow in the body, temporarily counteracting the negative effects of gravity, improving circulation and lymph flow and bringing blood and oxygen to the brain."

"Beginner
Many people are drawn to the idea of hanging upside down to relieve back pain or improve posture, which it can. Always, however, ease into hanging upside down. Use an inversion table, which allows you to control the degree to which you invert. You can lie horizontally, at zero degrees, or go all the way upside down at 90 degrees. If you feel any uncomfortable side effects, such as headaches, invert yourself at a lower angle or discontinue use of the inversion table."

"Heart and Circulatory Issues
Because inversion therapy can affect heart rate and blood pressure, people with heart disease and hypertension should proceed carefully before attempting inversion therapy. The Energy Center, which sells inversion equipment, also warns that people with circulatory disorders should consult a physician before inverting because the head-down position affects blood flow. In addition, anyone taking anti-coagulants might be at risk from inversion because the blood-thinning medications indicate a risk of circulatory problems."

"Intermittent stretching is also referred to as brachiation because it opens up the ribs, the intercostals spaces, allowing for more expansion of the lungs. We're in the start position, and we're just going to raise our hands up, and when we go over we'll extend, hold for a few seconds, and then we're just going to go back up and go up to a parallel position. Then we're going to go back down. So we're just opening, intermittently, opening and closing this particular movement. This also has an affect of imbibitions, where it's opening and closing the spinal intervertebral spaces and bringing more circulation into the soft tissues, the disc and the ligaments around the vertebrae. I'm going to run through this and then we can do one hand up. This also has an effect on the lateral hemispheres when you do one hand at a time. Because the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, so as you do this it's opening up those pathways. It's like a crawl position; your body is balancing itself out. It's a wonderful safe exercise."

"Inversions are regularly practiced in yoga for their ability to relieve stress, elongate the spine and aid the body’s circulatory system; inversion tables provide similar benefits, without having to balance on your head or hands. While securely strapped onto the table, you tilt yourself upside down to your desired degree. Once there, you can stretch or perform exercises without any pressure being placed on your spine. Of course, simply hanging upside down and relaxing is always an option."

"Inversion therapy takes gravitational pressure off the spine and is one of the many ways of spinal traction which is used to relieve back pain. With in-home inversion tables, you can take advantage of this method to alleviate back pain but it is important to find one that is well-built to ensure safety, stability, and comfort. If you are searching for one, then read on as we have here the five best inversion tables available on the market today according to quality and features, safety, comfort, user ratings, and price."

"Inversion tables are designed to use gravity to relieve some of the pressure on the spine, which becomes compressed over time. The theory of inversion table use is that hanging upside down or at an angle where your head is lower than your feet will decompress the spine, which should relieve the pressure and pain. Because using inversion tables may be risky if you have hypertension, glaucoma or heart disease, consult your healthcare provider if you have any health problems."

" Many physical therapists and doctors recommend inversion therapy because of its ability to provide a traction force that decompresses the spinal discs. With regular use, symptoms from spinal conditions like disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and degeneration can improve. Best of all, inverting can be done at home with either an inversion table or inversion chair. Now, you have to decide which device one is right for you."

"Theories/Speculation
The vertebrae in your back are separated by discs, which provide shock absorption and allow movement of the spine, states SportsInjury.net. When you perform physical labor, such as running, or sustain a back injury, the discs in your back become compressed and put pressure on the nerves surrounding the discs. However, when you are inverted at an angle or completely upside down, your spine temporarily elongates, and the spaces between your vertebrae and your discs become larger. The inversion alleviates pressure on your discs and nerves, which in turn alleviates your back pain. "

"Sciatic Pain
The sciatic nerve which runs from the lower back to the posterior knee is thick and long. It can become easily irritated from several conditions. Piriformis syndrome is when the deep buttocks muscle rubs against or restricts the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is another condition in which pain often runs down the back of the leg.

Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy or being upside down (the angle of inversion should be around 30 degrees from the floor) can alleviate sciatic symptoms. This method lengthens the spine and creates more space between vertebrae. It acts like spinal traction and relieves nerve pressure, according to spineuniverse.com. You can use tables, gravity boots, swings, and certain yoga poses to invert."

"If using an inversion table for relaxation or a medical condition, you want to get the most out of your experience each time you hang upside down. When you begin to transition from being in an upward position and lay back to invert, the blood rushes to your head from your lower extremities. This feeling can be unpleasant and is referred to as a head rush. It can cause an extreme amount of pressure and discomfort as well as dizziness, explains Energy Center."