# Inversion Tables: What Experts Actually Say
Inversion tables flip your body upside down to decompress your spine. Doctors and chiropractors agree they work for some people, but the evidence remains limited.
The tables hang you at angles ranging from 20 to 90 degrees. Gravity pulls downward on your spine, theoretically reducing pressure between vertebrae. A 2013 study in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found inversion therapy reduced lower back pain in some patients, though the effect was modest.
Safety concerns exist. Inversion tables increase intraocular pressure and blood pressure temporarily. People with glaucoma, heart disease, or high blood pressure should avoid them. Pregnant women shouldn't use them.
Dr. William Kormos, editor of Harvard Health, cautions that inversion tables aren't a substitute for physical therapy or exercise. "Most back pain improves with movement and strengthening," he notes.
The American Chiropractic Association acknowledges inversion therapy as one option for back pain relief, but emphasizes it works best paired with other treatments. Experts recommend starting at shallow angles (20-30 degrees) for short periods and building tolerance gradually.
Inversion tables cost $200 to $600. They help some people with back stiffness, but don't expect miracles. Standard treatments like stretching, core strengthening, and professional physical therapy remain more reliable.