Do Inversion Tables Work? (for Back Pain & Sciatica)

One of the most questions I hear from clients dealing with lower back pain and sciatica is whether or not inversion tables work…
In other words, will using an inversion table help them reduce their lower back pain and/or sciatica?
The answer depends on one key factor: the underlying cause of their back pain and sciatica.
If they have degenerative changes in their spine, like DDD, DJD and arthritis, using an inversion table will typically help.
If they have a bulging disc and sciatica, the answer isn’t always clear…
I’ll explain all these details in this video, which should help you figure out if using an inversion table will help with your back pain and sciatica.
I hope it helps!
Please comment below with questions and comments!
- Luke Gordon, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy/Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy
www.GordonPhys...

[@miaeuropa]

You’re 100% true. I’m going on 16 years using it. No surgery, because of this amazing Inversion Table.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

That's great to hear!

[@kennedysuggs4691]

My left ear loved this

[@nkdilli3065]

What does it mean, i can't understand. Have u some problem in left ear.

[@omarcastro7306]

Lmaoooo

[@jpaxonreyes]

@@nkdilli3065 - If you have stereo sound working (either with a device with stereo sound or you're using headphones), you would notice that the sound is only coming out of the left channel. A lot of phones only have one speaker, so left/right channels come out of a single speaker and you won't notice.

[@nkdilli3065]

@@jpaxonreyes thanks brother

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Haha, sorry about that! I had no idea that audio was only coming through on the left side until a friend told me about it. I have it fixed now for future videos :-)

[@silvermountainman2562]

I’ve been using the inversion table for 10 years. ( I’m 52, and do a lot of heavy lifting at work) I have 3 herniated disc‘s that I am aware of. Approximately four times a year, one of them will bulge, and send the shooting pain down to my shin. The table is batting 1000, however … this last time, my disc wasn’t cooperating. I decided … since the pain was on the left side, I would hang by one foot, for maybe 3 minutes. Needless to say … The inversion table is still batting 1000!

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

That's great! Nice work being proactive with those bulging discs!

[@johnathanbell8404]

Wow, I have one bulging disk and its horrible. Stuck in bed for 2 weeks unable to walk or sit. Even thinking about changing careers.

[@AhylawanMFB]

@@johnathanbell8404 how are you ? I’m going through this currently

[@Fargosportsmassage]

Hi. Has passed a year since your comment....how r you doing now. Using inverted table. Thanks

[@rcane6842]

To everyone that will read this.. as the main commenter stated, he's been using it for 10+ years and still having the disk bulge from time to time. Does it mean that the inversion table doesn't really help recover the disk for the long term? Based on the official Teeter (another brand) YT channel, once the disk has decompressed, it will absorb the nutrients required for it to regenerate. But this one user (main commenter) has been doing that for over a decade, and it seems it just relieves the back pain temporarily..? It really makes me think if the inversion table would really help.

[@ThomasNappo]

They do work..100%😊

[@user-gw1ez5ok4j]

This chainsaw worked well to cut up a pile of cedar logs kzbin.infoUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and stumps. I used it to cut 12"-16" diameter logs and a handful of odd-shaped stumps that were larger in diameter. There was more than enough power even when using 2x100' extension cords. Be sure to use the right gauge extension cord, since you should be using a slightly higher gauge cord than the standard extension cord most folks have around the house. My 2 favorite features of this saw over previous ones I've used are the built-in sharpener and the quick stop after the the throttle is released compared to a gas-powered chainsaw. As soon as you release the trigger, the chain stops spinning immediately because of the electric motor. Standard feature of most of these electric chainsaws, but worth mentioning here for anyone not familiar with it.Bottom line...I needed a chainsaw to get through some backyard cleanup of logs and tree stumps. For the price of renting a chainsaw for a few days, I got this Oregon chainsaw that got the work done, and now I own it for future use.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Yes, those are helpful

[@bubbaandrayearl1678]

My inversion table was just delivered. I have severe scoliosis, spinal stenosis, 9 ruptured discs and terrible sciatica pain. Talked to my pain doc about it. She said sure, why not try it. Just be very careful and go slowly. I'm maxed out on the amount of pain med that can be prescribed. This is a last resort. Thanks for the no nonsense straight forward advice.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

You're welcome! Did the table help with your back pain and sciatica?

[@zachrussell7832]

Did it hel?? I have the same diagnosis as u so I’m rly curious to see if it helped u??

[@YoddhaWarrior]

Hello. Did the table work ?

[@JTrip20]

???????????

[@zusanli251]

Did you get half eaten by a crocodile?

[@db-ho2bu]

Tense back muscles by your spine are what are compressing your spine. Massages and ice have brought me back to life. This looks like 1 more thing i could add seeing as i cant massage my own back. Seems like it would do great.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

If you give it a try, let me know what you think! It should help with self-management.

[@AE-ds8be]

Liked because it's a good and informative video. Subbed because you seem to be answering everyone's questions in the comments! ❤️👍

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching :-)

[@aI-bv2zh]

It is good for sciatica nerve because I have sciatica nerve, and it heal me

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Depending on the cause of your sciatic nerve pain, this can definitely help (particularly if you have a compressed nerve root).

[@zusanli251]

When I use an Inversion table my paraspinal muscles tense up like crazy. Should I try to encourage them to relax and if so how?

[@jordan19862000]

Great video, sir

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Thank you kindly :-)

[@samuelolivares6671]

Worked for me for sure!

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

That's great! I'm glad it helped you with your pain :-)

[@samuelolivares6671]

@@GordonPhysicalTherapy absolutely. The key factor is when you are inverting, you must breath deep in and out slowly for the most effect. After about 10 deep breaths the disks will separate and you will hear it too.

[@tellfile]

Wondering if putting a Lumbar support on the inversion table would be an added benefit. What part of the area of your back would you place a Lumbar support anyway?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Yes, that would be a nice addition. You can try a small lumbar support at your lower back. Just make sure it's comfortable.

[@hegotaspare]

I wonder if these are good for L5 S1 herniated disc and sciatica?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

They can be, yes.

[@Jdrummer77]

Hey great video. I was wandering how long it can take for sciatica. I have fairly serious issue having had surgery 12 years ago L4/L5 and then 11 years pain free after surgery. Now pain is pretty severe and 2plus months. I’ve been inverting for 5 days now.

[@johnnyrbattaglio6943]

Thank you 🙏

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

You’re welcome 😊

[@garthc5994]

How about spondylolisthesis L4 L5?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

If it's mild, I feel pretty safe.

[@apollocreed1000]

I have a sit-up bench. At the highest incline I get about a 55 degree angle and feel the blood rushing to my head. Do you think that is as effective as an inversion table for back pain and hair loss?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

A 55-degree angle is a good place to start, although most people will advance to 75-degree angle or so. I have no idea about the hair loss part, as you can see by my forehead ;-)

[@Sssssssslf]

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive inversion tables or do they all essentially do the same thing?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

They essentially do the same thing. A nicer inversion table is probably more comfortable to lay on and probably more comfortable where you strap your ankles in.

[@robertjustinoff845]

Back inversion tables help releive some back pain but not all pains. For example facet joint pain cannot be easily relieved by most inversion tables. The problem is that they are designed for lying on your back. To relieve facet joint pain you have to lie on your stomach and get inverted. But unfortunately most inversion tables are not designed for lying on your stomach.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Good point.

[@chelseamahusay]

I'm enterested how can I get it

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

They're easy to buy online.

[@knowledgeis5855]

Is this good for upper back pain. Mid shoulder?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I can help a little bit, especially if you can get your arms over your head. More of a stretch in the low back though. Have you tried it yet?

[@kriswalker3275]

Do the tables help with kissing vertebra in lower back?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I'm not familiar with kissing vertebrae...

[@stephaniegutierrez6222]

Is this safe for disc bulges in the cervical spine?

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Yes, in general it is. Just make sure your pain doesn't worsen while using the table.

[@imapuella231]

does this work on knee pain ? i do 220lbs 100 kg squat but my left knee got pain ..

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I don't usually use inversion for knee pain, but it's not a bad idea. Let me know if it helps!

[@navnathnagargoje7502]

Inversion table may be good but it should have lumbar belt to control weight.

[@AlyMariexoxo]

I have a Bulging disc in my L6 will it be helpful to use or no? No leg pain just really intense back pain. Can’t bend over, can’t sleep, can’t work out.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

It certainly could help, yes. It's worth a try as long as you do so safely and in a controlled environment. Have you had a chance to try it yet?

[@mannygrimaldo8934]

Wow you are gorgeous!

[@ebossnz6838]

Did it work for you? I have the same thing. And the sleep and bending etc

[@WhereWeWild]

What if you have a L5-S1 bulge causing weakness in your leg? Waste of time and money? I’m trying to avoid surgery here but idk if it’s possible 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I would say give inversion a try, but if it's not taking enough pressure off your nerve, and you still have constant nerve pain and/or weakness, consult a surgeon as quickly as possible. This doesn't mean you'll need surgery, but you at least want to talk to the surgeon soon in case you do. Good luck!

[@WhereWeWild]

@@GordonPhysicalTherapy Thanks yeah I saw a neurosurgeon last week and he wanted to schedule me for a surgery after 5 minutes of meeting him for the very first time. It freaked me out, guy was really obnoxious and it felt like him and his staff were trying to sell me a car. Didn’t feel right. Plus everyone I know tells me that surgery should be the last resort and it leads to more and more surgeries. I was hoping to find another way to fix this.

[@erlexar]

@@WhereWeWild I have L4-L5, L5-S1 herniated. What helped me was Predisone (steroids pills) talk with your doctor to see if she/he can prescribed you stronger anti-inflammatory drugs. And do the exercises like McKenzie push ups is a great one. Always do those before you go to bed and right after you get up from bed (do them as much as you can through out the day). Avoid picking up heavy stuff without bending your knees and avoid bending forward without bending your knees and be always active (walking is the best option). Avoid strenuous activities as well, no dead lifts or doing hardcore work outs that will stress your lower back.

[@WhereWeWild]

@@erlexar Hey thanks yeah I tried the steroid pills very early on, didn’t really help, it’s been about 2 months, bought the inversion table, doing those stretches, got an epidural injection, swimming, haha I’m trying everything. 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 It’s sucks so bad. Numbness and weakness has gotten slightly better, still pretty messed up though and I get this odd urgency to pee feeling which is annoying and worries me but the doctor says it’s ok, as long as I don’t lose control. I got a second opinion yesterday actually and this new doctor doesn’t think I need surgery, says I can get better on my own. I’m trying 🤷🏻‍♂️ So frustrating.

[@erlexar]

@@WhereWeWild Make sure to use the heat and ice method too. It can help a little with the inflammation. I spent 7 months recovering and the pain went away. But I went to work not too long ago (Heavy duty construction) to see if I completely healed and it just took one day for me to quit. The pain came back and thank God in the last two days I managed it and it went away. But I realized that once you herniate a disc that's it. So be careful and try not to do any strenuous activities. Take your time with the recovery because it's a process you can't rush.

[@MultiShepster]

58 -year-old male. I was just diagnosed with Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis. I’m NOT a runner but this was a running injury. Trying to be proactive. How much hanging SHOULD I do? Is more (longer) better?

[@MultiShepster]

Now I’m just doing 1-2 minutes...3x per day but it doesn’t seem to hurt to do more. Just being cautious.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I would recommend building your way up to hanging for 10-15 minutes at a time, 2-3 times/day. You can always try "intermittent traction", where you tip back for 3-5 minutes, then come back to neutral for 30-60 seconds, then tip back again. Just listen to your body, and make sure you're having a positive response. I hope that helps!

[@mysticcity312]

@@GordonPhysicalTherapy Wauw, so you recommend about 45min in total, every day??

[@JamesTaylor-ow7ft]

6months of back pain hung upside down on teeter a few times for short I intervals ....pain went away after a few weeks :) I so happy I got assburgers as well ..I stupid work aholic

[@AussieBattler46]

Athritis l5 s1 facet joints ? Please let me know

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Yes, using an inversion will likely help with your pain. Just ease your way into it.

[@bekabeka71]

Can this be practiced by someone who’s had a spinal fusion

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

If your fusion is stable and fully healed, you can try some gentle inversion. I would get clearance from your surgeon first, though.

[@wc3815]

Im ganna buy one for my mum, since her doctor was useless in suggesting surgery for a compressed spine. I heard that doing inversion table for more than 5 minutes to damage your optical nerve since your intraocular pressure increases too high, do you reken the pressure issue is a bluff or a serious concern? For somewhat overweight people that is

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I haven't heard of any negative effects on the optic nerve, but if it's a concern, I would recommend starting inversion between 45-60 degrees and working up your time to 5-10 minutes at that angle first. If that's well tolerated, you can consider longer periods or you can consider tipping back to more of an angle.

[@wc3815]

@@GordonPhysicalTherapy right thank you for the advice, appreciate it!

[@johna1439]

i spent $1000+ for “spinal decompression” with a chiropractor for my sciatica *sigh* just bought an inversion table and getting the same or better results.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@drydreams8513]

My parents have one they are old farts 70yrs and 68yr old they love it and I’m a medium fart 36yr I hop on it every time I go over to their house. I work construction and lift heavy material and wear tool bags probably 15/20 pounds around my waist all day. I always feel better after I use it, I go upside down twist around trying to get a good stretch and pop my back and stuff. Id say it works if anyone is curious, if you really want to get crazy I take two 20 pound weights on in sometimes for extra down wards pressure u can move ur hands around in different positions to target different areas of your back. I always tell my dad to pull my neck down but he never does it I kno it would help crack n pop it but he is scared I’ll get hurt dam senile old fool just pull my neck if I die I die

[@ivn3006]

I am interested in the topic, but after I saw that the inversion table is assembled wrong on the video, started questioning the opinion of the guy. Please switch the handles... they are in the wrong direction. :)

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

I'm pretty sure the handles are on the correct sides... but either way, they still work and the content is accurate.

[@cherryrolls]

It's all in the mind.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

What's all in the mind? Back pain and sciatica? Technically, all pain is experienced in the mind...

[@InnerLuminosity]

ALL IS MIND

[@marvinvoorhees]

Why arent they called inversion BEDS? drives me crazy. You don't put food on it and invert it.

[@levibailey6256]

because its not something you sleep on?

[@marvinvoorhees]

@@levibailey6256but you don't lay on a food table either. CHECKMATE. DROPS MIC. 😂😂😂JK. Is not important.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

That's pretty funny! Tell you what, you can call it a bed if you'd like... but I don't recommend sleeping like Batman ;-)

[@YoddhaWarrior]

Isn’t hanging on a bar the same for spine as inversion ? Why waste money and house space on this ? Your views…

[@cameronlund8704]

You go hang on a bar and tell us how you feel after. I guarantee you can't make it 2+ minutes

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Inversion is a lot easier and safer to do on your own versus hanging completely vertical on a bar. In addition, it's best for most people to start with only 45-60 degrees of tilt at first to see how they respond. If they respond well, they can increase that angle closer to full inversion and/or they can increase their duration in the inverted position. For those reasons, I recommend a table vs. a bar. They're not super expensive these days, and I'm sure people are selling them used online too.

[@Anyonewhos]

Well.. I don't know why you air quoted the degeneration but I've both sciatica and disc degeneration. Also a previous hair line fraction on the upper part of the back.. and disc bulge. So without thinking it I should buy one of these then. Because the tablets don't always work and I can't exercise any more than I do unless I want to give myself a heart attack. Being only 35 I'm probably too young to die. But these are the problems you get when you have aspergers with a very high work ethic. Working along side the lazy people of this world. You get nothing but life stricken injuries without a cure. Here, take my money. Give me more products to try until my prescription turns up.

[@GordonPhysicalTherapy]

Hey, Steveo. You sound like you're in a unique situation... I'm not sure why I air quoted degeneration... I'll have to work on my delivery :-)