Are Inversion Tables Dangerous?

If you’re thinking about using an inversion table to help with back pain, it’s normal to have questions about safety. Hanging upside down by your ankles might look a little scary, especially if you’re unsure how your body will feel.

There are two main parts to consider: how your body responds to inversion and whether the equipment supporting you is designed and tested for the job. Knowing what to expect from both can help you feel more comfortable getting started and recognize when a sensation is simply new versus a reason to return upright.

Are Inversion Tables Safe?

For most healthy adults, inversion tables are safe when the equipment is set up correctly and used as instructed.

Inversion uses gravity to create a form of spinal traction, changing some of the forces and pressure on your body compared with sitting or standing upright. Because of those changes, certain health conditions may require a doctor’s approval before using an inversion table.

Inversion can provide temporary relief from back pain and related discomfort for some people. While research is still developing, studies have found benefits for certain types of back pain, and the research on inversion therapy for back pain can help explain where it may fit into a broader approach to relief.

Possible Side Effects of Inversion and What to Expect

Being upside down is an unfamiliar position for most of us, so inversion can feel a little different at first. Some new inverters notice temporary sensations like head pressure, mild dizziness, or disorientation while getting used to the movement and head-down position.

Starting at a shallow angle and giving your body time to adjust can make those first few sessions more comfortable.

Head Pressure

You may notice a feeling of fullness in your head or warmth in your face while inverted. This is related to the change in circulation that happens when your head is lower than your heart, and it may be more noticeable when you’re new to inversion.

Starting at a gentle angle, such as 20 to 30 degrees, can help you ease into the position instead of going directly into full inversion. You may find it more comfortable to invert for just 30-60 seconds at first, gradually increasing angle and duration over time as you adapt to the feeling.

Dizziness and Disorientation

Mild dizziness or disorientation can happen when you’re first getting used to inversion. Changing orientation affects the balance structures of the inner ear, and some people are more sensitive to that movement than others.

The body is adaptable, and many people find that this sensation becomes less noticeable as inversion starts to feel more familiar. Rather than attempting full inversion right away, pre-set your Angle Tether to a gentler position and gradually increase the angle as you become comfortable.

Short sessions throughout the day can also give your body more opportunities to adjust. As you get comfortable, you may work up to the typical 3 to 5 minutes used for decompression, gradually increasing your angle and session length based on how long and how often you invert.

Eye Pressure

The head-down position can temporarily increase pressure inside the eyes. This is an important consideration for people with certain existing eye conditions, including glaucoma, optic hypertension, or a history of retinal detachment, which are among the contraindications for inversion.

Returning Upright

How you return upright can make a difference in how you feel after inverting. Instead of rotating all the way up at once, pause near horizontal for 30 to 60 seconds or longer before returning fully upright.

This gives your inner ear and your back a chance to readjust. If you do feel a little disoriented, simply return upright and give yourself a few minutes before trying again.

You also shouldn’t have to strain or use a lot of effort to return upright. If your inversion table is properly adjusted for your height and weight, it should respond easily to your body movements and allow you to rotate back up in a controlled way. If you find yourself struggling to return upright, check your settings before your next session.

When Should You Stop Inverting or Take a Break?

Inversion should feel like a controlled stretch, not something you have to push through. If you simply feel like you need a break, return toward horizontal and rest for a moment. Teeter Inversion Tables are designed to give you control over your rotation, so you can pause near horizontal and, if you feel comfortable, return to your desired angle for more stretching.

Return fully upright if you experience persistent dizziness or vertigo, extreme nausea, severe or worsening pain, a significant headache, vision changes, or another symptom that feels unusual or concerning. If those symptoms continue after you return upright, discontinue inversion.

Who Should Not Use an Inversion Table?

For most healthy adults, inversion can be used safely as directed. However, certain health conditions can be affected by the changes in pressure or body position that happen during inversion, and some conditions may also make it harder to operate the equipment safely.

Do not use an inversion table until approved by a licensed physician if any of the following apply:

• Any condition, neurological or otherwise, which results in unexplained tingling, weakness or neuropathy, seizure, sleep disorder, lightheadedness, dizziness, disorientation, or fatigue, or impacts strength, mobility, alertness, or cognitive ability
• Any brain condition, such as trauma, history of intracranial bleed, history or risk of TIA or stroke, or severe headaches
• Any condition of the heart or circulatory system, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, increased risk of stroke, or use of anticoagulants, including high doses of aspirin
• Any bone, skeletal or spinal cord condition or injury, such as significant spinal curvature, acutely swollen joints, osteoporosis, fractures, dislocations, medullary pins or surgically implanted orthopedic supports
• Any eye, ear, nasal or balance condition, such as trauma, history of retinal detachment, glaucoma, optic hypertension, chronic sinusitis, middle or inner ear disease, motion sickness, or vertigo
• Any digestive or internal condition, such as severe acid reflux, hiatal or other hernia, gallbladder or kidney disease
• Any condition for which exercise is specifically directed, limited or prohibited by a physician, such as pregnancy, obesity, or recent surgery

The Inversion Table Matters Too

Your body’s response is only half of the safety question. The equipment itself needs to hold your ankles securely, support your weight, rotate smoothly, and let you control your movement from upright to inverted and back again.

That’s why third-party testing and safety certification are important when comparing inversion tables.

Teeter Inversion Tables are registered with the FDA as 510(k) medical devices and are indicated for back pain and related conditions including sciatica, muscle tension and spasms, herniated or degenerative discs, spinal stenosis, and facet syndrome.

Teeter Inversion Tables are also UL Safety-Certified to standards specifically addressing inversion equipment. Testing includes repeated cycling under the maximum rated user weight to simulate 30,000 uses, along with testing of the ankle system through 30,000 closures.

Safety is also built into the design. Auto-locking hinges help keep the table bed securely connected to the base, pressure-reducing ankle supports distribute pressure around the foot and heel, precision balancing helps you control your rotation, and heat-treated steel adds strength at critical load-bearing points.

Independent testing of ten inversion tables using recognized UL guidelines found Teeter was the only table tested to pass every category:

If you’re shopping for a specific inversion table, knowing what to look for when comparing inversion tables can help you evaluate safety testing, construction, balance, ankle support, and other features that aren’t always obvious from a product photo.

Getting Comfortable with Inversion

Inversion can feel unfamiliar the first few times you try it, but you don’t have to go completely upside down to get started. Begin at a comfortable angle, take your time getting used to the movement, and let your body set the pace.

As inversion starts to feel more familiar, finding the angle and routine you enjoy becomes much easier. The free Teeter Move app is also a great resource for guided inversion sessions and tips to help you get comfortable along the way. With equipment you trust and a little time to get comfortable, that first upside-down experience can quickly feel a lot less intimidating.