If you are suffering from back problems you might want to try an inversion table to help alleviate your back pain and strengthen your back; but which one? With so many on the market and varying prices it can be difficult to choose. So what do you need to bear in mind before selecting and using your inversion table?
Safety Standards
It is worth remembering that not all inversion tables are equal, so while all goods sold should be fit for their purpose, in some cases you will be the person testing the limit of that statement! As a failure in the table could result in serious injury it is worth looking for tables that already have already passed an independent safety standard such as the UL Standards UL 2601-1 for Medical Equipment. UL is the trusted source worldwide for product compliance and have been testing products for public safety for more than a century. You can be safe in the knowledge that a table with this specification has been tested at the maximum height and weight settings and an inversion table will only pass this rigorous criteria if it has a 400% safety factor. When you are hanging upside down from your ankles, safety standards such as these are worth their weight in gold!
Preset Angles
Another important function to look for is whether the table offers pre-set angles for you to invert to. Most people will need to work up to being fully inverted, by spending time relaxing at angles such as 20 degrees and 40 degrees. Many people will not need to go beyond 60 degrees where most of the benefits of inversion are experienced. For this to be done safely and easily a method is needed that will stop the table moving beyond the desired level of inversion. The easiest method of achieving this uses a tether strap that simply prevents the table inverting more than required. This gives the user a feeling of confidence when using the table initially, as the table will not invert more than anticipated.
Sensitivity adjustment
Once the above issues have been met the next thing to look for is a table that can be tuned to your body. A good table will enable you to make changes that affect its sensitivity to your arm movements, allowing you to decide whether the table moves to the desired angle quickly or in a more controlled way.
Warrantee
A table with a good warranty shows the manufacturer has faith in their build quality and a well built table is vital to ensure it stays safe over the years. An inversion table is not just a gimmicky, fad item you will only use a few times. Once you have experienced for yourself how it can help with problems like back pain, you will want to use it regularly to counter those almost unavoidable problems caused ageing, spinal compression from gravity and often poor seating design. Therefore, having a long warranty period gives you confidence in your purchase from the outset.
Ankle Lock Lever
If you back problem prevents you from easily bending and reaching your ankles, I would also suggest that you look for an inversion table that allows you to lock your ankles into position without having to bend too far. Some tables come with an easy to reach lever for just this reason.
Gravity boots adaptor
The ability to adapt your inversion table for use with gravity boots is also a very nice feature of some tables. Gravity boots make the inversion experience much more comfortable for some people with narrow or weak ankles. Most inversion tables clamp ones ankles into place securely using foam ankle clamps and it is worth checking that the foam used is thick and supportive so that not too much pressure is applied to your ankles when inverting. Some users with weak ankles might find that even the foam clamps are a little uncomfortable, and so the ability to use gravity boots with your inversion table might be a valued feature for you. Gravity boots are very supportive, comfortable boots which attach to the inversion table and which help to distribute the weight of your body when inverting, more comfortably, making the whole inversion experience even more enjoyable.
I hope that this buyers guide will help you research your inversion table with a better knowledge and understanding of the features and functions available.
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Written by Pete Mulford
ar@teeter-inversion-tables.co.uk
Teeter Inversion Tables, 12 Trevanion Road, Liskeard, PL14 3QN tel 01579 308022
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