When you’re considering purchasing an inversion table, one of the first things on your mind right behind whether or not it can help stop your back pain, is safety – and it’s easy to see why. For many people, tilting backward inspires feelings of worry and anxiety that have them moving on from inversion therapy, despite its proven pain relieving effects.
The good news is that inversion therapy is not only safe when performed correctly, when you choose the right inversion table, you can eliminate that worry and anxiety, grabbing only the benefits of the therapy without the stress.
That’s why in this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into the question of whether or not using an inversion table is safe and talk about tips you can use to get the most from inversion. We’ll also share the easy secret to eliminating the worries that come with conventional inversion tables.
There are two ways to consider the question, “Is it safe to hang upside down?” One is to address the physical effects on the human body and potential reasons someone shouldn’t invert. The other is to look at the equipment itself and talk about ways to invert comfortably and securely. We’ll address both.
Is there any reason not to use an inversion table?
Obviously when it comes to using an inversion table risks people worry about come in two distinct varieties. First, you might wonder if you have a health condition that takes inversion therapy off the table (pun intended). And second, you’ll want to know how to choose the table itself to eliminate any safety concerns.
So, let’s take a look at that first issue and whether there are any health risks involved in using an inversion table.
And the answer to that is yes, there a very few conditions that mean you should skip inversion therapy at least until you clear it with your doctor. These include:
- Severe gastric reflux or hiatal hernia
- Kidney or gallbladder disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Neurological conditions that result in unexplained weakness, tingling, lightheadedness, dizziness or seizure
- Advanced osteoporosis, fractures or surgical implants in the spine
- Pregnancy
- Middle or inner ear disease
- Glaucoma or retinal detachment
- Brain conditions such as intracranial bleed or history of stroke
While it’s always recommended to consult with your physician before starting any type of exercise or health routine, for the most part, inversion therapy is generally safe for otherwise healthy people who are suffering from back or neck pain.
How to choose a safe inversion table
Now that we’ve addressed the safety of inversion therapy based on your possible health conditions, the next thing on your mind is probably the inversion table itself. In fact, one of the number one questions we receive on a daily basis is, “How do I find the best inversion table for safety?”
And, here’s how we answer that question.
Number one when looking at the safety of an inversion table, you should take note of the quality of materials used. Far too many tables skimp on the materials so that they can pocket more of the profit. This means that while you can’t feel and see the thin materials it’s made from when you’re looking at a computer screen, when it arrives at your house, you’ll realize that you’ve made a big mistake.
That doesn’t happen with Backlounge.
We use only premium, high-quality, heavy-duty materials in our construction. It’s why Backlounge is the best-selling inversion table across Germany – a country where quality isn’t just hoped for, it’s demanded.
The second part to answering the question of how to choose a safe inversion table is to look at the inversion angle the table will place you at.
You see, conventional tables require you to secure your ankles using locks or straps because the table will flip you fully upside down – and if you’re not strapped in, you can see what would happen next. However, even though the ankle straps will hold you (as long as the company hasn’t skimped), many people will still never feel safe using this type of table. That’s because being completely inverted can cause feelings of stress and anxiety, and the ankle pain that the locks and straps can cause can make those feeling worse.
That’s why Backlounge is different than conventional tables.
Its intelligent design means that you are never fully upside down and therefore don’t have to lock down your ankles. Instead, you’re always fully in control and can grab all the benefits of full inversion, without being fully inverted.
You simply press back gently with your feet on the lower rollers until you achieve the angle and the relief you want.
Getting the most from inversion therapy
To achieve all the benefits that inversion therapy has to offer, here are a few simple tips to follow:
- Start slow and work your way up – We recommend using Backlounge’s inversion therapy function for 30 second to 1 minute twice a day so you become familiar with being in an inverted position. From there, simply work your way up to 2 minutes/two times per day.
- Increase inversion over time – Don’t be a hero the first time out. Instead, begin at a more modest inversion angle and increase the angle as your body becomes used to using Backlounge.
- Allow your body to relax – Inversion not only decompresses your disc spaces, it stretches and elongates your spinal muscles. Let your body sink into the table. At the same time gravity is working, the Backlounge’s built-in foam rollers will also be working to release painful trigger points in your lower back and hips to create long-lasting changes.
- Listen to your body – If you feel intense pressure with the lumbar foam rollers, use a thin pillow for cushion. As your body becomes used to the pressure and the trigger points relax, you’ll be able to remove the pillow for even deeper relief.
- Give it time – Getting the most from inversion therapy means giving it time to work. Your back didn’t get in the shape that it is overnight, so don’t expect it to be fixed overnight either.
Remember, like getting your body in shape requires regular exercise, getting your back in shape requires regular use of Backlounge. But once you commit, the benefits build on a daily basis.