I
Insight Horizon Media

Do gravity inversion tables work?

Author

Emma Martin

Published Mar 18, 2026

Do gravity inversion tables work?

Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. Inversion therapy doesn’t provide lasting relief from back pain, and it’s not safe for everyone. Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down, and the head-down position could be risky for anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease or glaucoma.

Are inversion tables a waste of money?

“The evidence is quite convincing that traction is not a useful treatment,” van Tulder says. Inversion tables, he adds, are “a waste of money and misleading to patients.”

How many times a day should you use an inversion table?

Limit your inversion table sessions to 5 minutes twice a day. Tip up slowly. After you’ve done it, come back up slowly to an upright position. If you jerk up too quickly, you may trigger muscle spasms or disk pain in your back.

What do chiropractors say about inversion tables?

An inversion table pulls every joint in your body. It does not focus on the area that is actually causing you discomfort. Spinal decompression therapy can pinpoint an individual disc. A chiropractor can apply the necessary negative pressure to release an impinged disc and promote healing.

Does hanging help your back?

Hanging is a great way to help decompress the spine and can help even if you’ve done nothing more than just sit at your desk all day. Since the lumbar spine is designed to be the most weight-bearing section of the spine, it’s no surprise that most of the compression-based back pain will be in the lower back.

What angle is best for inversion table?

In conclusion, there is no “best” angle to use on an inversion table, but numerous studies show that choosing a table with the ability to invert to 60 degrees will provide more decompression and pain-relieving benefits.

Can inversion table make back worse?

Reloading your joints with pressure by returning to an upright position too quickly can cause spasms and make back pain worse, especially if you have a herniated disk.

How long should a beginner use an inversion table?

How long should a beginner use an inversion table? To start, a person should use an inversion table for 30 seconds to a minute a day or less. If they feel any discomfort while inverting, they should slowly tip back up.

Who shouldn’t use an inversion table?

Patients with hypertension, circulation disorders, glaucoma, or retinal detachments should not use inversion table therapy. Hanging partially or completely upside down increases the pressure and blood flow to the head and eyes. In summary, inversion therapy is not new.

Who Cannot use an inversion table?

1. Skip the inversion table if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or vascular headaches. Inversion puts extra stress on your blood vessels, which can increase stroke risk if you have cardiovascular problems.