The 5 Best Inversion Tables for Back Pain & Sciatica

No matter if your back pain is from sitting at your desk all day, lifting heavy objects at work, or just aging – an inversion table for back pain can be a lifesaver for your aching back – if you are only willing to hang upside down like a bat.

What should you consider when you want the best inversion table for back pain/sciatica?

Is comfort more important than durability? Does the price determine quality?

In these inversion table reviews, you’ll find all the answers, and save hours of research to find the top rated inversion tables for back pain, sciatica, and bulging/herniated discs.

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See our top 3 picks compared below, or scroll down to our inversion tables reviews.

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The 5 Best Inversion Tables for Back Pain Relief

Here are the results of our 2024 research, the 5 highest quality, safest, and top-rated back inversion tables on the market.

You can safely use them for Sciatica, pinched nerve, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, poor posture, and more while saving lots of money on chiropractic care.

1. Teeter FitSpine X3 Best for Back Pain/Sciatica

Teeter is the leading company in the inversion table market, with over 30 years of experience and the highest user ratings.

They have a large range of high-quality inversion tables and equipment at different prices and reliable customer service.

Their new FitSpine series is the best when it comes to treating back pain and sciatica because it has the maximum range of inversion angles, it is easy to adjust and use (simply set it, lock, recline, and relax), it is comfortable, and the safety features are excellent.

(It is well-engineered and made from 11-gauge steel that’s been heat-treated for increased strength and durability)

You will need no help to get on or off of it, and the pain-relieving results for most people are immediate.

See our detailed Teeter inversion table reviews!

Teeter is the leading brand when it comes to inversion tables, and they are the only ones that are UL-tested for safety and FDA-registered as a 510(k) medical device.

Through our research, their best value model (for the money) is the FitSpine X3.

It’s packed with technologically advanced features, and as such, we’ve found it has the best price-to-quality ratio on the market.

Here’s Teeter explaining how their inversion table decompresses your spine:

Teeter FitSpine X3 Pros & Cons

The X3 supports high weight safely, includes a boarding platform, is easy to assemble and store, is easy to adjust inversion angles, and has a 5-year warranty and free shipping.

The only cons are the large footprint due to the boarding platform, and the price – which is a bit higher than average.

✅ Available at  Teeter ($449 with free shipping, 60-day returns)

2. Innova ITX9600 Inversion Table Best Under $150

3. Innova ITM5900 Best with Heat & Massage

While all of the Innova Inversion Tables are good, the ITM5900 is the best model, thanks to its heat & vibration massage pad located at the lumbar area.

The heat and massage loosen and relax your muscles while you decompress your spine.

It is a proven drug-free back pain reliever, and if you don’t have an infrared heating pad at your home, you’re really missing out.

The heat is extremely calming, relaxing, and soothing, which will give you even more motivation to spend a few minutes getting your spine in shape every day.

Innova ITM5900 Pros & Cons

The Innova ITM5900 inversion table is a great option for people looking to supercharge pain relief with a heated massage on the lower back – while they invert and decompress their spine.

The unique True Balance Structure allows you to adjust the headrest and the height to customize the best center of gravity for you.

However, it doesn’t lock at the inversion angle of your choice (compared to Teeter), and some users have reported problems with assembly.

✅ Available on Amazon ($350) and at Walmart ($199)

4. HARISON Heavy Duty Inversion Table – Best for Big & Tall

The Harrison Inversion Table is a heavy-duty machine that supports up to 350 lbs. and fits people up to 6’5.

The 3D pad creates a massage effect while your back is pressed against it, and it can be easily adjusted to 4 angle positions, including a fully 180-degree vertical inversion.

It is comfortable (the backrest is made of memory foam that contours to the shape of your back), and easy to operate with one hand.

Because the table is made of heavy-duty materials, it can be hard to transport or move.

Harrison Inversion Table Pros & Cons

Overall, it is a heavy-duty inversion table that is a bit bulky but comfortable and feels well-designed and stable. It can support heavier and taller people safely.

However, it can get heavy to move around and store.

✅ Available on Amazon ($419)

5. Body Vision Premium Inversion Table

The Body Vision Premium inversion table is another affordable option without bells and whistles – other than a detachable lumbar support pillow that you can place under your lower, mid, or upper back.

The head pillow is also removable and adjustable.

If you want, you can use the lumbar support cushion to fix your posture while sitting in your recliner or office chair.

Compared with older models, this one has a longer & wider upholstered backrest pad (44″ x 18″ x 2″) and you won’t need a lower strap or to get off the unit to easily select the inversion degree.

Body Vision Pros & Cons

Affordable, stable, and easy to adjust and operate. It is the most space-saving inversion table on this list, with its folding and locking design and built-in transport wheels.

However, you may need help getting off it and it only supports people up to 250 lbs.

✅ Available on Amazon ($191)

Inversion Table Benefits

Benefits of inversion tables include back pain relief (through spine decompression), improved blood circulation, improved brain function (by hanging upside down), stress relief, skin anti-aging, joint pain relief, improved breathing, better posture, and increased flexibility. 

How to Choose an Inversion Table for Back Pain & Sciatica

When you choose an inversion table for back pain, make sure you check the durability, safety, comfort, ease of use, weight and height support, and price & warranty.

Choosing a well-known brand is important, to make sure you get a durable and safe inversion table, and to avoid injuries and damage to your back.

Here’s how to pick the best inversion table for back pain:

1. Durability and Safety

Durability and quality of materials are the most important things to look for in your inversion table.

There are areas in your life where saving or conserving money is wise.

This is not the case when it comes to your health or your safety.

The inversion table is supposed to support your weight and hold you while you’re hanging upside down – to prevent falling on your head or injuring other body parts.

The best inversion tables are sturdy, durable, and safe, and last for years without any issues or hassles.

Buying a cheap inversion table from an unknown brand only to save 50$ is a huge mistake and a serious health hazard.

The Safest Inversion Table Brand – The Teeter Inversion tables are the safest and sturdiest inversion tables on the market, and Teeter has been the most popular and established brand – for many years.

2. Comfort

While inverting can be the best back decompression tool you’ll find, inverting with a low-quality inversion table can be so uncomfortable that you’ll give up on the whole experience in less than a week.

Ankle padding and ankle locking systems are extremely important in inversion therapy, and so is the bed design.

For example, the Teeter FitSpine X3‘s EZ-Reach ankle locking system with triple lock provides ample safety and support to the ankles, reducing most of the pressure while you’re inverted.

3. Ease of Use

It’s highly important to find an inversion table that allows for easy assembly and setup. No one wants to spend 3-4 hours assembling a new inversion table with awful instructions.

Choose an inversion chair you can start using within minutes after set up, without watching instructional DVDs that’ll give you a headache.

4. Price & Warranty

As we said, a cheap and low-quality inversion table can do more harm than good, adding injury to injury.

( However, we did find 3 inversion tables that are safe and effective – under $150)

When a company implements cost-cutting measures during the manufacturing of products, those measures may affect the product’s structural integrity and transitively the user’s safety.

Also, a low-quality inversion table will break down fast and will not last for many years as it should, which makes it a bad investment.

But, in some cases, low price does not necessarily mean low quality.

For example, the Innova ITX9600 Inversion Table is relatively low-cost, but still a high-quality one.

Its low price comes from a lack of additional features that the more expensive inversion tables have, such as heat therapy (like in the Innova ITM5900 Inversion table).

Can Overweight People Use Inversion Tables?

Before you buy an inversion table, you have to make sure it fits your height and weight.

Statistics show that big and tall people tend to suffer more from back problems and posture problems – which can be significantly relieved by using an inversion table that supports their height and weight.

The Harison Heavy Duty Inverion Table allows for the highest weight support (350 pounds), but there are a few other models that support up to 350 pounds.

1. The Ironman 3000 High Capacity Inversion table fits users up to 6 feet 6 inches tall and has extra-long safety handles. It also supports users up to 350 pounds.
2. The Ironman 4000 gravity table is the same but is more expensive because it comes with lumbar pillow support.

The lumbar pillow is quite amazing: you can line it up perfectly with the tensest or most painful area of your back.

Can an Inversion Table Relieve Pinched Nerves?

Inverting 2-3 times a day, ideally to an angle of 60 degrees or more, can help decompress your spine and stretch the tight muscles that often contribute to pinched nerves in the neck, lower back, and hips.

The discs can rehydrate and restore the cushioning between them, creating more space for pinched nerves that go between them.

The cost of an inversion table is equivalent to a couple of visits to a chiropractor or physical therapist but can be used without limits for years to come.

Can an Inversion Table Fix Your Posture?

Inversion tables can help improve posture to some extent, but they are not a cure-all for posture problems.

Inversion therapy works by reversing the effects of gravity on the body and providing spinal traction, which can help reduce the pressure on the spine and improve posture by reducing spinal compression.

However, inversion tables alone will not fix underlying postural issues caused by muscle imbalances or weak core muscles.

To improve your posture it is important to address underlying issues through spinal decompression exercises and stretching, along with proper posture habits (for example, sitting on an ergonomic office chair, or sleeping on a hybrid mattress) and regular use of an inversion table.

Inversion Table Alternatives

Is it possible to stretch your back powerfully – without an inversion table?

The answer is YES.

For people who don’t like inverting, or have a health condition that doesn’t allow using inversion tables, here are a few excellent spinal decompression home devices:

1. Standing Back Traction – These devices are used flat-footed and do not require inversion to decompress the spine. Our top recommendation is the Stamina Inline Traction Control system – check out our review!

1. Orthopedic back stretchers – these simple devices, which usually require no assembly or effort on your part, are anatomically shaped to conform to your spine and realign your vertebrae – to help improve your posture and relieve compression in your nerves and discs.

2. Lay-Down Spine stretchers – These devices are portable, lightweight, and do not require hanging upside down to create space between your vertebrae and decompress your spine. The best one is the Spinal Stretch you can see below:

3. Lo Bak Trax – this simple, portable, and lightweight lumbar stretcher allows you to perform a powerful manual stretch and decompress your spine in just a few minutes a day. See our Lo Bak Trax review!

Conclusion

Any aesthetic coloring, stitching, or molding will not determine the effectiveness and safety of your new inversion table for back pain. The accessories won’t matter either.

The best gravity tables and chairs for back pain are sturdy, durable, fully support your weight, and come from brands that won’t cut costs at the expense of the materials.

To your health and happiness,

The Back Pain Relief Products Team

P.S

Looking for a gift for someone with chronic pain? see our new guide for the 15 BEST  gift ideas for people with back pain.