Buying guide for best inversion tables

Walking upright all day puts undue pressure on our backs, necks, and spines, which can escalate to back pain, pinched nerves and restricted mobility. Inversion tables have become a popular home solution to back pain. Cheaper than a visit to a chiropractor's office,  an inversion table places you in an upside-down posture to relieve pressure on your spine’s discs.

Before you pick an inversion table, here are some features to keep in mind: weight capacity, degree to which the table inverts, comfort, extra support such as hand grips and lumbar support, ease of storing the table, and ease of moving the table. We cover all of these important qualities, and pricing, in our reviews.

We’ve recommended the best inversion tables on the market once you’re ready to make a purchase. For more information, keep reading to learn about the deciding factors to consider.

In inversion therapy, your ankles, legs, or feet are secured to a special table that can rotate you upside down or place you at an inverted angle for therapeutic benefits.

Inversion therapy provides an alternate solution to these physical woes. During an inversion therapy session, the practitioner secures himself to a pivoting table and assumes an inverted position. The position encourages spinal decompression and increased blood flow to the brain.

Inversion sessions rarely exceed 30 minutes for safety reasons, but satisfied users claim the health benefits far exceed any temporary discomfort. Some people even perform stretching and calisthenic exercises while inverted.

If you’re interested in buying an inversion table, please see the five tables we recommend. Each product meets our rigorous requirements for both performance and safety. And if you’re interested in learning more about inversion therapy and its benefits, please continue reading our shopping guide, below.

Inversion table benefits

Inversion therapy is considered to be an alternative health treatment along the lines of chiropractic care and body vibration therapy. Any claims of health benefits from inversion therapy have not been verified through scientific studies. Some benefits, especially pain relief, may be temporary.

Many inversion table users experience muscular relaxation and a gentle stretching of the spine at minimal inversion settings. The experience is akin to that of a chiropractic adjustment. Flexibility is restored, and the pain from pinched nerves or back spasms is noticeably reduced.

But the claimed benefits of inversion therapy stretch beyond simple back massage and spinal “popping.” Some people say that a deeper inversion of 60 degrees encourages the vertebrae to decompress, allowing fluids to flow back into the soft discs between them. Herniated or bulging discs may reduce in size after several inversion sessions.

Some therapists recommend an inversion table for older children suffering from scoliosis. The act of stretching the spine under controlled conditions may help scoliosis patients halt, or even reverse, the spinal curvature that leads to mobility issues later in life.

Headache sufferers may find meaningful relief through inversion therapy. The relaxation and stretching of head, neck, and back muscles may reduce the triggers for some tension-based headaches. Increased blood flow to the head can also improve circulation and calm the nerves that trigger migraines. Even sinus and eustachian tube drainage are said to be improved during inversion sessions.

Some people with knee pain have also claimed to experience relief both during and after inversion therapy. No longitudinal studies exist to prove this claim, and we can’t say that this would work for everybody. Still, we believe this it’s worth noting.

We consider how much padding an inversion table has. Some tables include padding at critical pressure points, while others have padding around the ankles and the head or neck area.

Some inversion tables have acupressure nodules (hard plastic knobs) that you can arrange on the table. If this feature is offered, we note it in our research, as it can help address specific pain points.

We look for inversion tables that stay level and stable during use. A table that is unbalanced could lead to injury.

We find out what type of material an inversion table is made of and assess its pros and cons. Steel tends to be the most secure material; aircraft-grade aluminum is a close second.

We consider the weight of an inversion table and how easy it is to set up and take down. Since these tables tend to weigh a lot, many people find it best to set it up and leave it in one place.

Some inversion tables have a lumbar bridge that pushes against the lower back. When this is offered, we note it in our research, as it can help relieve lower-back tension.

The inversion tables we research are quite large. Due to their size, it’s a good idea to measure your space before purchasing an inversion table.

Some inversion tables offer heating and massage features. When this is offered, we research how well the settings work and whether they add value to the purchase.

Safety is a top concern with inversion table use. We research the ability of a table to lock and unlock and how easy it is to change positions.

In our research, we note the type of ankle straps used to secure the user’s feet. Some inversion tables have padded bars, while others have “boots” with clamps.

Consumer experiences

We spoke with a consumer who incurred bruised vertebrae and multiple bulged discs in his lower lumbar region after a devastating back injury. His surgeon recommended inversion therapy treatment, but that’s not all. Inversion therapy was also recommended to him by a sports medicine physician, a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and even his boss at work.

While this consumer’s situation may not match your own, we believe the number of professionals who recommended he try inversion therapy speaks volumes for this type of non-surgical, non-medicated treatment.

We also spoke with people in the active sports community who use inversion therapy in their workout recovery process. For some, the wear and tear sustained during running and other exercise appears to “heal,” at least to some extent, during inversion therapy. If you live an active life and want to experiment with new recovery treatments, this is useful information to keep in mind.

Features

High-end inversion tables often include additional features and optional equipment to enhance the user’s experience. Here are some helpful features and optional add-ons you may want to consider before making a purchase.

Padding

Comfort is an important consideration, especially for those who intend to invert for extended periods of time. Padding is especially important around the ankle clamps and head and neck support areas.

Some tables provide padding at critical pressure points but nowhere else. When in doubt about a particular table’s level of comfort, be sure to consult customer reviews and other feedback. If possible, test the table yourself before making a purchase.

Acupressure nodules

Often sold as an add-on, acupressure nodules are hard plastic knobs that you can place strategically in your table. During inversion, these knobs stimulate various acupressure points in the back, neck, and legs. Some people find this form of acupressure uncomfortable, but others may want to try acupressure nodules to address specific pain points.

Lumbar support

Office workers and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience tension in the lower back. The spinal stretches and muscular relaxation encouraged by inversion therapy are helpful, but they don’t always address the lower back and hip pain caused by sitting in a chair for hours on end.

Some inversion table manufacturers offer an add-on known as a lumbar bridge. The lumbar bridge pushes against the lower back during the inversion session, creating an even deeper stretch in that area.

Important considerations

Before you buy an inversion table for home use, ask yourself three important questions:

• Do I have the space to accommodate an inversion table?
• Do I have a stable place where I can set up the table?
• Do I have the strength to manage an inversion table?

Space

Most inversion tables are large and not very easy to break down. You’ll need a fair amount of space to use and store your inversion table. If you don’t have the right kind of space, you may end up feeling frustrated. We encourage all potential buyers to measure their space first, bearing in mind that an inversion table requires even more space when flipped into inversion.

For maximum benefits, many users say they spend just 5 to 15 minutes at a 60-degree (past horizontal) angle.

Stability

The stability of the floor on which you place your table is incredibly important. You want a surface that’s level, not slanted. An unstable floor could lead to a fall during inversion. That’s a risk you want to mitigate.

Strength

Inversion tables are large and bulky. Moving them around is no easy feat. Before investing in a table, make sure you have the strength and stamina to handle its dimensions and weight. In the best of scenarios, you won’t have to move the table after installation because it will have its own permanent location in your home.

Safety tips

Your safety is a top concern when selecting an inversion table. After all, this is a machine that’s going to support your entire body weight in an inverted position.

As your table’s design and construction play a vital role in your success, we urge you to keep the following tips in mind:

• Inversion tables made wholly of steel are the most secure. Aircraft-grade aluminum is an acceptable alternative, but steel is king when it comes to durability and support.
• Consumers should avoid both the lightest and the least expensive inversion tables on the market.
• The promise of quick assembly is not a plus. Putting together a quality inversion table takes time and may require assistance.
• The support frame of a quality inversion table consumes a fair amount of space. This wide footprint is essential for safe operation.
• Some inversion tables are designed for folding or quick disassembly. However, most should remain in place between sessions.
• The height of the frame determines the amount of clearance between the floor and the table itself. When fully inverted, some models position the user’s head just a few inches off the floor.

Ancient practices of inversion therapy have always existed. Many secret societies also practiced inversion techniques as they found it gave them increased mental capacity.

A note about foot/ankle security

Some inversion tables require the user to place his/her feet between two padded bars and secure them with a quick-release lock. Others provide “boots” that clamp around the ankles during inversion. Both methods pass the critical security test, but user comfort can be an issue. We urge consumers to read consumer feedback and perform extensive research before deciding on the best attachment method.

FAQ

Q: How long can I safely remain inverted?

A: There is no established time limit, but your body should tell you when it’s time to end an inversion session. Beginners should only remain inverted for one to two minutes during the first few weeks of therapy, increasing the duration slowly as time moves on.

Q: What is the protocol for using my inversion table safely?

A: We recommend that you consult your physician before beginning an inversion table regimen, especially if you have high blood pressure or other health issues.

Q: Do I need to become completely inverted for maximum benefits?

A: No. Most people start to feel a gentle spine stretch and muscle relaxation at 20 or 30 degrees past horizontal. Many practitioners never push past 60 degrees.

Inversion therapy experts say that 60 degrees of inversion should provide maximum benefits for average users. A 90-degree inversion could be beneficial for an elite athlete in training or an experienced home user who wants to perform calisthenic exercise.

Q: Is inversion therapy safe for everyone?

A: Consulting with a physician is always a good idea before starting a new exercise regimen. While most people in reasonable health should feel an improvement in flexibility and a reduction in neck, spine, or leg pain with short inversion sessions at 20 to 30 degrees past horizontal, it’s not an ideal practice for everyone. Checking in with a professional who knows your personal health history is a wise precautionary measure.