First of all, don't buy this if you can't take hanging upside down, or partially upside down. This is an inversion table, and called such because it "inverts" your body, and so you're put into an upside-down position. Also know that this device can increase the pressure in your eyes, so if you have eye trouble, check with your doctor first before jumping right in.
That being said, this is a great device that "stretches" the spine. I use the word stretch, but the effect on your spine is a little more than that. When you use this machine, and your body is inverted, this imparts a traction force on your spine, which distracts your vertebrae. So, traction is the force that the inversion table puts on your spine, distraction is the effect.
Now when your spine is distracted, the vertebrae that arw stacked on one another (with a disc in between them), move farther apart from each other- which takes pressure off the discs that lie between them- and this is a very good thing for your discs. This is because the discs are being compressed all day long as we move around in an upright position. Know that the discs have a high water content, and as you sleep in a horizontal position in bed, they actually swell a bit as they pick up water overnight (because they're not being compressed). Then, when you get up in the morning and move around all day with your spine in a vertical position, this water is expressed to a certain degree throughout the day. This is why you are a little taller in the morning than at the end of the day!
As you can see, this device is very good for your discs- especially ones that are herniated. Other good things this device can do for you is take pressure off pinched or compressed spinal nerves in your back. Since the inversion table distracts the vertebrae a little, this moves them farther apart- which gives the nerves that come out between them "room to breathe".
Lastly, because you're hanging upside down, your back muscles don't need to work- and so they get a chance to relax and get a break! And relaxed muscles make for a happy back...
Consider using an inversion table if the idea appeals to you and you don't mind hanging upside down (or partially upside down), and the Body Champ IT8070 Inversion Therapy Table would be a good pick. About the only bad thing I can say about it is that it does nothing to strengthen your back- and for that, I suggest checking out books like Treat Your Own Spinal Stenosis. Good luck! Body Champ IT8070 Inversion Therapy Table
I did a lot of online research on inversion tables after really enjoying using the one at my chiropractor's office (a very nice Teeter brand one). I read a lot of reviews of different tables and tried to decide what to spend. Prices range from low ($100+ like this one), average ($200-400) to really high ($1000 and up). I decided that all I needed was a table that would safely turn me upside-down for a while, so I went cheap and basic. The table wasn't hard to assemble (I did it myself in about an hour, though a second pair of hands would have been...well, handy.) In any case, when I first got on it, it felt a little wobbly and there were a couple "clicks" as things shifted slightly with my weight on it for the first time. It took a couple adjustments to get it set right for my center of gravity, but soon I could simply raise one arm then the other to make it glide slowly back to the inverted position. At that point I realized that the pads that cushion the ankles and feet were lacking. The ones on my chiropractor's table are way more comfortable. Most likely I'll come up with some way to pad them better as it's supposed to be relaxing (and it is...I slept like a LOG after the first time I used it!), but it's not easy to relax on the table when your feet are hurting. Other than that, a pretty good table for the money, and it was shipped by Amazon sooner than expected!
Very basic table. It does what is expected. But found a few flaws compared with my Weslo inversion table from Meijers:
Functional:
- Table does not change angle in small comfortable increments when you slide your arms as instructed. Despite table was assembled with the settings in the less sensitive position (bracket position), this table goes from 0 to full inversion with absolutely no control angle and it is difficult to get back to horizontal (despite I'm an athletic person). You MUST have the holding strap in position to limit the max. My Weslo table does a much better job, there. In the Weslo table you can control almost any angle by moving your arms in different positions and is very easy to get out of full inversion without assistance.
Cosmetic:
- Adjustment height numbers printed on a label on the extension rod. These labels tend to get ripped every time height is adjusted. The Weslo table have these numbers engraved in the metal.
- Moving parts are painted. Weslo table have them chromed.
Quality:
- One plastic plug arrived broken.
- One fell apart during assembly.
- Anti-slip sticker on foot bracket came all messed up from factory.'
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