Good for temporary pain relief

When you strap yourself to an inversion bench or table you’re not going to be working out on some kind of newfangled decline weight bench, although some forms of exercise are possible at different levels of inversion.

The point of inversion is to put your body in an almost or complete upside down position, suspended from the ankles. Why, you ask? Apparently all that gravity we face while in an upright position everyday can negatively affect our bodies. As a result our bodies become compressed.

What’s the purpose of inversion?

Inversion therapy allows gravity to decompress the disks and nerve roots of the spine. It is really just another form of spine stretching done in an attempt to relieve back pain.

Does it work?

There seems to be a lot of inversion therapy believers out there. It has been said the therapy can enhance mood and improve back pain, as well as correct posture and improve blood circulation. TV star Rosie O’Donnell has even credited it with helping her battle depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic there is no scientific evidence that inversion therapy provides long-term pain relief, however it can provide temporary relief for people suffering from a pinched nerve or sciatica.

There are risk factors for inversion therapy. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, eye diseases or who is pregnant should not use inversion therapy.

Exercises that may be performed while inverted