Inversion Tables Help To Decompress
Inversion tables are an excellent way to relieve pressure on the spine. The equipment tilts the body at an angle or upside down, with the user suspended by the supports. A person can comfortably hang upside down in an inverted position and feel the pressure of gravity taken off their body.
There are various options to choose from when purchasing an inversion table. Each inversion table is fitted with accessories to enhance the decompression and expand the benefits of choosing inversion. Picking which inversion table is right for you depends on your reasons for using this equipment, whether you want to stretch your joints and muscles, relax the whole body, or recover from an injury or surgery.
At Northern Fitness, we're pleased to offer a wide range of inversion tables and accessories. Shop our selection today and discover relief for your back, spine, neck, and more!
What Is an Inversion Table?
The inversion table is a therapeutic device that gives users the benefit of relieving back pain, sciatica, and even pain from kidney stones. All you have to do is strap your body onto the table. The equipment set-up looks similar to a lounge chair, except it tips the user back into the air at an angle.
Inversion tables can come equipped with accessories and premium features such as the Ergo-Embrace Ankle Supports. These supports can be adjusted to tilt the body into a different position, including entirely upside down.
Users will stay in that position for several seconds, up to several minutes, depending on the level of comfort. Different angle degrees provide varying levels of stretching and exercise optimal for the targeted areas and levels of pain.
Why Use an Inversion Table?
Inversion therapy, also referred to as spinal traction, inverts the user's body upside-down to ease the effects of gravity. Sitting, standing, and even walking put pressure on the nerves and spinal disks as gravity exerts a constant downward force on the body and compresses the spine. An inversion table can aid decompression by allowing the user to stretch the spine and temporarily create more space between the vertebrae.
Using an inversion table comes with many physical health benefits. With the inversion table, you can get a much deeper stretch and elongate your spine safely and comfortably for pain relief.
Benefits of hanging downward using inversion therapy include:
- Short-term relief from back pain and conditions including sciatica and scoliosis
- Improved spinal health
- Increased flexibility
- Reduced need for back surgery
- Recovery from injury or surgery
How to Properly Use an Inversion Table
When using the inversion table, start slowly and listen to your body. You can gradually increase the practice as your body becomes accustomed to the movement.
These are the steps you want to take for properly using it when starting:
- Have someone spot you. When you are first starting, it will be safer to use the table under the supervision of a spotter. They can make sure you can get out if you cannot get back up.
- Don't lean all the way back. First, tip back at a 10-degree angle to slowly test it out before building up to a 30-degree angle and higher.
- Strap In. Use the harness and all safety features to be safe and avoid slipping out.
- Short Spans. Start with 30 seconds before building up to a minute or two to see how you feel when you start using it. Then limit your sessions to five minutes twice a day before increasing.
- Tip-Up Slowly. When you tip up, you want to be careful to prevent triggering a muscle spasm or disc pain.
How Long to Use It For
It would be best to begin by hanging in a moderate position for approximately 30 seconds, then slowly add 1 minute at a time as your body adjusts to the movement. You can increase the time to 2 minutes, then 3 minutes.
Always listen to your body and return to an upright position if you are feeling unwell. Slowly easing into the process will allow you to use the table for up to 10 or 20 minutes at a time.
This therapy technique is for limited use. You should not hang upside down for prolonged periods because it can be dangerous. Do not sleep while using this device. Although it might feel comfortable at the moment, sleeping upside down while strapped to the inversion table can cause serious health issues.
How Often to Use It For
Northern Fitness recommends using the table at least once a day for the best results. Users who are on the table for shorter periods can use it twice a day as a great way to relieve pain after waking up and wind down in the evening after a full day.
For beginners, it is advisable to use the equipment for about 30 minutes a day, which you can split into two fifteen-minute sessions for the best results. Consistent usage is the most beneficial for alleviating all pain types.
Helps With:
Inversion tables help with a multitude of bodily pain and conditions. Using premium features and accessories that come with the different options of inversion tables can enhance ease of use, relaxation, and decompression.
Back Pain
You can relieve back pain from the comfort of your own home using one of our inversion tables. The table is optimal for short-term relief of general lower back pain or from compressed disc pain.
It can also help back pain caused by kidney stones. Inversion therapy paired with medical treatment helps to break up the stones and lessen back pain so they are easier to pass.
The reclining will help stretch the muscles and soft tissue surrounding the spine by pulling weight off the nerves and vertebrae.
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to the pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve and down the legs and the lower back. This pain results from a herniated disc that presses down on the nerve.
Physical therapy combined with inversion therapy is an effective treatment for sciatica pain resulting from a protruding disc. Keeping weight off of the nerves can help ease the pain from sitting and standing.
Decompression
Decompression is the process of systematically and continuously relieving pressure on the spinal cord and compressed roots in the spinal column. This technique is an alternative to surgery and can be aided by the consistent use of an inversion table to decompress the spine.
Stretching on the table allows the discs and vertebrae to separate slowly and naturally as you tip backward in the chair. You can feel your body relax as you slowly tip back then up again, rotating according to your body's needs.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disk occurs when the soft center of the spinal cord gets pushed through a crack in the exterior casing. This condition can cause nerve pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms or legs.
An inversion table gently stretches the spine, reducing the pain and numbness. The disks will slowly separate and may restore to their usual spot in the vertebrae over time. In some cases, it can prevent the need for spinal surgery.
Where to Buy an Inversion Table
You can purchase an inversion table and other fitness equipment from Northern Fitness directly in-store or through our online store. Northern Fitness offers a range of inversion tables and accessories to accommodate new and experienced users as they work to improve their spinal pain and health.
These products offer relief for various conditions and pain areas — invest in an inversion table today and take control of your health and fitness right from your home!