The Teeter Inversion Table: Testimonials Show Relief from Back Pain

Sometimes, it can be helpful to find out how other back pain sufferers have been helped from back pain inversion tables.  I'm including a few testimonials here that were sent to the Healthy Back Institute by individuals who have benefited from using inversion table therapy for their back pain.

As you can see from the testimonials, inversion table therapy has helped people with different conditions and causes of back pain.  The following individuals are referring specifically to the Teeter Inversion Table. 

Here are some testimonials:

"After 35 years flying helicopters, constant sitting with a 6 pound helmet and vibrations, I was constantly feeling pain in my spine. After 2 days of inversion, 10 minutes in the morning and again at night, the pain is gone. The difference is amazing. Best purchase of my life. Thanks!"
- D. Matthews, Salisbury, NC

“I am and 54 year old nurse, and have had painful Sciatica for the last 4 years.  I have tried massage, acupuncture, traditional medicines and Chinese medicine.  It had gotten to a point where I could not even stand in the shower without having to cry because of the pain which radiated from the left side of my buttock all the way to my ankle.  My life as far as I saw it was literally gone.  My garden is my pride and joy , but have not been able to work it for many years.

When I looked in the mirror (with no clothes on) I saw a very old woman who was so lopsided that it made me cry.  Traveling was no longer an option for me, because I would have to hang on or hold on to a cart or walker.  I thought to myself that I will end up in a wheel chair with in a few years.

I have been communicating with the Lose the Back Pain web site and they had a advertisement about the Teeter.  What did I have to lose? I received the Teeter just after Christmas 2006, I am on there twice a day for no more than 5 minutes at a time.  After 1 week I am no longer lopsided, I no longer hurt and am able to walk, dance, run, garden and shower with NO pain.  What a blessing the Teeter is. My husband is so happy to see that I am no longer in pain and smiling.  I believe that I have grown a few inches which makes my clothes fit better."
– R. Baak, Perris, CA

 "We recently received the inversion table. Assembly was surprisingly easy, instructions were great, and the quality of this product is amazing for the cost we paid for it. We're looking forward to experiencing the benefits. Thanks for an outstanding product in a time when so many others are cheaply made, yet overpriced. Yours is the way it should be."
- S. Barnhart, Lititz, PA

"After 35 years flying helicopters, constant sitting with a 6 pound helmet and vibrations, I was constantly feeling pain in my spine. After 2 days of inversion, 10 minutes in the morning and again at night, the pain is gone. The difference is amazing. Best purchase of my life. Thanks!"
- D. Matthews, Salisbury, NC 

"In May, I herniated the L5-S1 disc. My doctor recommended drugs and pain management, but the meds made me sick and I had a several week wait to go to pain management. The pain was intolerable, and I was having a hard time being pleasant at work. Home was a whole other story! I was telling a neighbor about it, and she suggested I come to her house and try her Teeter inversion table. The first time I tried it, the pain down my leg almost completely disappeared.

I borrowed her table and as long as I use it, I feel good. I have gotten better and better. I take Aleve when I do have pain, cancelled pain management and am my sweet old self at home and work. Since I couldn't keep my neighbor's table forever, I have purchased my own and have a couple of friends anxious to try it. I am sooooo happy. I am 60 years old and never expected to feel this well again."
- J. Grieder, The Villages, FL 

"I am a diagnostic radiologist who abused his back through sports, hard work and horses for years. About seven years ago, I began to experience back and left leg pain that progressed rapidly. An MRI revealed a lot of degenerative changes in my lumbar spine with two intervertebral discs that were herniated and for all practical purposes 'worn out.' Five years ago I began to experience numbness in some of my left toes with sciatica in the left hip and leg, which progressed to constant pain, loss of feeling and then loss of motor function in my left toes.

A friend who is a sales rep for radiographic equipment, whom I have known for 15 years, told me he had become pain free in about two months using an inversion table. I ordered one that day. In one week of use, twice to three times per day, the numbness in my toes improved 100%. During the second week, I slept my first pain free night in five years."
- K. Hamilton, M.D. 

The Nubax Trio For Back Pain: Can This Be a Safe Alternative to Inversion Table Therapy?

One device that may be a good alternative to inversion tables is the Nubax Trio.  With this device, you can still get most of the benefits of spinal decompression that inversion tables provide, but without having to suspend yourself in an upside-down or backwards incline position.

The Nubax Trio is a device developed in Australia for back pain relief.  A recent trial at the University of Western Australia is giving back pain sufferers hope because the study did show significant improvements in alleviating low back pain.

Just as with inversion table therapy, the Nubax Trio offers spinal decompression that focuses on the lower back, the SI joint, the lumbar and the thoracic. 

The only drawback is that it does not decompress the upper part of the spine, so it does not help alleviate neck pain as effectively as an inversion table.

Some other features and benefits of the Nubax Trio:

• can be assembled in about 10 minutes
• great for those who are uncomfortable with being suspended upside-down during inversion therapy.  This way, you can still experience the benefit of spinal decompression but without giving up your sense of safety.
• great for those with health issues that prevent them from using inversion table therapy
• as little as 3 minutes in the morning and 3 minutes at night can be enough to start getting relief from back pain.

As with any device or treatment for your back pain, it's best to consult with your doctor first.

Dangers of Improper Use of Inversion Table Therapy: What You Should Know Before Using Inversion Therapy for Back Pain

Although inversion table therapy has many proponents touting the health benefits, especially for those looking for back pain relief, it's important to point out some of the potential hazards and health risks, especially if you are thinking about buying an inversion table for home use. 

Dr. Andrew Haig (from the University of Michigan Spine Program) states that one of his patients, before coming for treatment with Haig, had slipped while attempting inversion therapy and became a quadriplegic.  These types of injuries are extremely rare, but it helps to point out that users must use caution when using inversion therapy, especially when if it is in-home use and is not supervised by a medical professional.

So, to prevent any type of injury, you need to follow the product manual exactly and not take any shortcuts when using an inversion table for back pain.

But not only is it important to use an inversion table correctly to prevent serious injuries, it's also important to do your homework when shopping around for the right inversion table to relieve back pain. 

Don't let price influence your buying decision when choosing an inversion table.  Remember, you are using your inversion table to suspend upside-down. Even if you adjust the angle so that the suspension is only at a gradual incline, make sure your inversion table is of high quality and sturdy enough to support your body weight without any risk of injury. 

Riley Teeter, owner of Teeter Hang Ups, warns that cheap inversion tables may not be as sturdy.  There is a risk that with just several months of use, these lower quality devices can have mechanical failure that can cause serious bodily injury.