Constant back discomfort and peripheral kinds of related problems in other areas almost always affect the majority of of people as they progress toward middle age and beyond. If you're one of those unfortunate individuals afflicted with back discomfort almost constantly, this could be the best time to discard the prescriptions and the non-prescription pain relievers, in favor of an unconventional treatment method known as body inversion therapy.

This technique essentially calls for the patient to assume an upside down position for the purpose of correcting long term damage done to the spinal column through time. Theoretically, when gravity pulls down on your head and body it will decompress the spinal column as gravity has caused compression in your spine while you have been right side up throughout your entire day.

In order for the nerves to communicate properly with the brain, they have to travel through the all important spinal cord area. Damage to nerves in that vital spinal cord area resulting from vertebrae problems can get in the way of communication to the brain, which increases the probability of chronic discomfort in the back, as well as a plethora of related maladies in peripheral areas. While inversion therapy isn't likely to cure any serious back problems it might help to alleviate pain and provide some preventative maintenance to a healthy back.

The essential construction of all inversion tables is alike. A tilting platform with foot holds on it is attached to a stand that has handles on it. The correct procedure is to lock yourself into the base feet first, and then to slowly rotate through a position parallel to the ground, and finally finishing in the headstand, or inverted finish. By angling the base to the utmost, you will be able to reach a position where your body is off the board and your feet are essentially supporting your weight entirely. After a short period in the conventional inverted position, you slowly manipulate the apparatus back to normal. In most cases, inversion tables make inversion therapy less complicated and safer than with other types of equipment.

The first requirements for any inversion table are strength and stability. The worst possible scenario you could imagine would be reaching the critical inverted position, and then having the steel base give way and land on top of you. Your inversion table should be built of thick, rigid metal but shouldn't be so bulky and heavy that it's impossible to move if you have to. It is also important to be confident that the footholds that secure your feet and ankles are stoutly built to ensure that they will safely support your weight. Padding for comfort's sake is also a big plus. If you are intending to use the completely inverted position supported solely by the feet, make sure there is a locking device for safety.