# Summary
Men's Health consulted doctors and chiropractors to identify the six best inversion tables on the market, focusing on what buyers should prioritize when selecting equipment.
The publication gathered expert input on key features to evaluate. Inversion tables hang users upside down or at angles, with proponents claiming benefits for spinal decompression and lower back pain relief. The science here splits. Some studies show inversion therapy reduces disc pressure temporarily, but evidence for long-term pain relief remains thin. A 2016 review in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found inversion therapy produced short-term improvements in some back pain sufferers, though effects were modest and not superior to standard stretching.
Safety matters. Inversion tables carry real risks for people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or heart conditions. Inverting increases intracranial pressure and can spike blood pressure acutely.
The expert recommendations centered on stability, padding, ankle support, and adjustment range. Durability and weight capacity also ranked high. Brands like Teeter and Ironman dominate this category, with models ranging from $300 to $1,000.
The takeaway: inversion tables work better as supplemental tools than standalone treatments. They suit people with mild disc-related back pain and normal cardiovascular health. Anyone with existing hypertension or eye problems should avoid them entirely.