Inversion Tables - Worth it or Just Temporary Feel-good?

[rolf]

My friend has a chance to buy one of these relatively cheap. I think I shoud warn him it's a waste of money, but the wikipedia entry is inconclusive and speaks rather glowingly of Inversion therapy and other than eccomerce sites, the net seems to be sparse of scientific discussion/verification of this topic.

The claims also seem exaggerated but that's not so important. He just wants it because he's a health nut, not suffering from any serious ailment.

Jref forums had a discussion of this previously in 2003, but it was short, irrevelant, and led nowhere. I was hoping someone could give me info one way or other.

[Alkatran]

Care to explain what an inversion table is?

[The Don]

Care to explain what an inversion table is?
Something like this :

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/comfortstore_1889_10344480

[geni]

My friend has a chance to buy one of these relatively cheap. I think I shoud warn him it's a waste of money, but the wikipedia entry is inconclusive and speaks rather glowingly of Inversion therapy and other than eccomerce sites, the net seems to be sparse of scientific discussion/verification of this topic.


Err that "The factual accuracy of this article is disputed." notice isn't there for decoration.

[a_unique_person]

Was it Dr Who that liked to stand on his head? Dr Spock? I forget now.

[richardm]

I've always thought those things look like they might be quite pleasantly comfortable to use, especially if you have a sore back.
They don't look sufficiently pleasant to involve cluttering my house up with one, though.

[Mojo]

Was it Dr Who that liked to stand on his head? Dr Spock? I forget now.Not sure about that, but I seem to remember Special Agent Dale Cooper hanging upside-down by his ankles.

[Ririon]

Not sure about that, but I seem to remember Special Agent Dale Cooper hanging upside-down by his ankles.
No, that was 50 Cent... ;)

[Nucular]

I thought it was Batman.

Anyway, I'd be surprised if it wasn't the case that, unless your mate uses the table to do sit-ups on, the only health effect it would have would be to mildly increase the risk of aneurism. Personally :)

[skepticdoc]

It may have started after Richard Gere hung from his ankles in "American Gigolo", the table makes it possible for anybody to hang from their ankle without a great effort. Theoretically, it would reduce pressure in the intervertebral disks, I am not aware of any clinical trials, no incentive, no profit motive, a table can be $100-200, chiropractors, physicians and pain clinics can make much more than that!

[rolf]

It may have started after Richard Gere hung from his ankles in "American Gigolo", the table makes it possible for anybody to hang from their ankle without a great effort. Theoretically, it would reduce pressure in the intervertebral disks, I am not aware of any clinical trials, no incentive, no profit motive, a table can be $100-200, chiropractors, physicians and pain clinics can make much more than that!

I seem to remember that in Batman, Michael Keaton slept upside down using gravity boots (anklets) also.

He can get the table for $75. I really don't care about him throwing his money away, but he's my roommate and I really don't want another piece of exercise equipment around. He has it all almost (bowmax or whatever it's called, stair climber, dumbbells and a lot of other ****) and I'm a material minimalist in this direction - just give me a jumprope and some yoga/pilates for excercise.

An Inversion table or gravity boots are just versions of inversion therapy - hanging upside down. My friend is completely convinced he needs it because of two claims:

1. Gravity acts on his body all his life, eventually hurting his body by making his S-curve spine into a C-curve. An inversion table for 10 mins/day will nullify/minimalize this effect.

2. An inversion table can correct bad posture automatically, straighten his spin, etcetera. Bad posture can deform his spine over time.

Now, I don't even know if he has bad posture, but I can't find anything one way or another that debunks these claims or scientifically puts them in doubt. I know the wiki has a tag disputing the accuracy, but that's all and then the article goes on to speak almost glowingly of it.

I mean, if it turns out inversion therapy can do this, I'll tell him but I'd like to prevent the place from looking like a Gold's Gym or something:)

[Soapy Sam]

One wonders , aside from removing spinal kinks, whether such a device would have any other kinky applications?

Just a passing thought.

[geni]

1. Gravity acts on his body all his life, eventually hurting his body by making his S-curve spine into a C-curve. An inversion table for 10 mins/day will nullify/minimalize this effect.

Most people don't sleep standing up.


2. An inversion table can correct bad posture automatically, straighten his spin, etcetera. Bad posture can deform his spine over time.

Doubtful. Bones don't change much.


Now, I don't even know if he has bad posture, but I can't find anything one way or another that debunks these claims or scientifically puts them in doubt.


Probably falls into the catigory too silly to debunk


I know the wiki has a tag disputing the accuracy, but that's all and then the article goes on to speak almost glowingly of it.

You are useing the wrong tense. It did. Belive me when you see those tags run unless you know exactly what you are doing. They are not put there for light releaf.

[rolf]

Probably falls into the catigory too silly to debunk

Yeah, but one man's silliness is another man's golden panacea. We all have silly beliefs we cling to - and the people who believe this need an explanation why it's wrong.

You are useing the wrong tense. It did. Belive me when you see those tags run unless you know exactly what you are doing. They are not put there for light releaf.

Well, I'm glad to see that article shortened.

[Hardenbergh]

When I saw this thread, it reminded me of a website that I saw several years ago. It's a device called the "Unexerciser" invented by Abraham Taltre that seems to have a very simple design.

The Unexerciser is safe, because it supports and aligns the spine. Th Unexerciser is a unique device for lower back pain treatment and exercises for sciatica, herniated discs, scoliosis and fibromyalgia. It provides great physical therapy that improves flexibility through passive traction and inversion therapy. Bending backwards is no longer complicated but instead, is accomplished within a period of weeks on the Unexerciser. The reason it is necessary to bend backwards is to create the healthy state of spinal mobility. Most people are accustomed to bending forward not backward. The key to spinal mobility is the ability to bend forward and backward without pain or discomfort. Without spinal mobility you will probably be experiencing some type of back pain or discomfort, from mild to severe.

One day, Taltre was visiting his sister-in-law and noticed she had one of the "gravity tool" inversion machines that were popular a few years ago. He tried hanging from his heels for awhile and found the experience was, as he describes it, "Interesting." I thought it was about the best thing yet for my back. Still, it wasn't quite right. The blood rushing to my head was uncomfortable and I felt disoriented. Besides, the machine was stretching my ankles, knees, and hips, when I wanted to concentrate on stretching my back."

That's how he got the idea for the Unexerciser.

http://www.unexerciser.com

[Beerina]

I thought the fad started collapsing when people started having strokes?

[trvlr2]

Having finished my beer, I am about to go hang on my inversion table.
This will be the second one I've owned. They don't do well outdoors.
As far as kinky ...well it does stretch out my back. And you can do inverted situps without putting pressure on your lower spine. And those of you who don't have good blood supply to the brain may react to the increased pressure. Moderation for beginners...don't flip inverted if you are alone...My girlfriend tried it, flipped to inversion, P++++y sucked in bunch of air,giant P+++y fart when restored. 'Twas funny. She divorced me later. No giant woo, just feels good& situps are not such punishment....