The intervertebral discs are the spongy shock-absorbers of the spine, and they absorb and release fluids over the course of a day. Compression by gravity and normal activity will cause the disc to lose moisture, much like squeezing out a sponge. In fact, a healthy disc will shrink around 20% in a day (½" to ¾"). As we sleep, the discs swell with nutrient-rich fluid and expand back to a hydrated state, though not 100%. By age 70, the water content of the discs is reduced to 70%, equaling an average height loss of ½" to 2".

Height loss may not seem like a big deal, but it is indication of a greater problem: dehydration and thinning of the soft tissue in the joints. This results in decreased shock absorption, flexibility and mobility. Additionally, as the spinal column shortens and body's mass remains unchanged, the waistline gets thicker! Think of a column of clay: if you pat it down on the top, the sides bulge out. A regular program of inverted decompression can help maintain original height by reducing the pressure on the intervertebral discs¹, allowing for fluid movement back into the spongy disc tissue.

Daily spinal length fluctuations were noted in the Foreman study² on nursing activities. The study found greater loss of stature during 8 hour working shifts than during 12 hours periods on the participant's days off. The average daily height loss for the 12 nurses in the study during the working day was 1.1% of their height, which for most of us translates to ½ to ¾ inches per day.

As the body ages, internal organs (kidneys, stomach, intestines) begin to prolapse as a result of the constant downward force of gravity. "Middle-age spread" (that spare tire around the waste), apart from weight gain, is due to the relocation of internal organs. Digestion and waste elimination problems are common symptoms. Inverted postures, done regularly, may help organs maintain their original positions within the body.

The heart must work against gravity to pump blood up to the brain, which is the body's largest consumer of oxygen. Although it is only 3% of the body's total weight, the brain consumes 25% of the body's oxygen intake. Peter Russell notes in The Brain Book³ that the deterioration of the brain is not directly linked to age alone. Rather, this deterioration is caused by hardening arteries and high blood pressure, both of which decrease the supply of oxygen to the brain. Thus a major step in reducing mental deterioration (or senility) over time may simply be increasing the oxygen supply to the brain. Keeping the brain active and well supplied with oxygen may help maintain your brain function and mental sharpness throughout your entire life. (NOTE: If you have high blood pressure, consult your physician before starting an inversion program.)

When inverting, you are helping your heart to clear the blood from your feet, legs, and lower body. This allows the blood in your limbs to circulate more easily, which may help to drain blood from varicose veins.

This term is defined as a state of flexibility, strength and balance that supports youthful movement and activity. Inversion is a way to keep joints healthy and flexible as the body ages, which translates to an active way of living throughout a lifetime.

Results may not be typical and vary by user.
Please check with your physician prior to inverting.
Click Here for contraindications

• When I first saw the Teeter Inversion Table being demonstrated on [TV] while channel surfing it caught my eye. I watched and it made sense...
  
  
  • I told a friend about it and she said "her mother inverted for 20 min. a day for 20 yrs., and when she died at 84 she had no wrinkles and looked much younger than her years." Since I have been using your product I have noticed a stretching and strengthening of my abs and groin. Also, my back feels better. I have been using weights for years, participated in a few power lifting tournaments and I wish I would have started inverting years ago as part of my daily workout regimen.
    
    —K. Price
    
    
• I was watching your infomercial about two months ago and was very interested in the concept of hanging upside down. The clincher was the elder man of 88 running the hurdles!...
  
  
  • I have felt pain in my lower back for many year and have gone to doctors, therapists and chiropractors for relief. The pain always comes back! I have rigged up ropes on the bed to stretch, that works, however there had to be something better! I went searching for your machine locally and found a Distributor who sells your product! It has been a month and here are my results. I get immediate relief after using the F5000 Inversion table. I went to the barber shop and the barber asked me if I was taking enhancement pills to help the hair grow on the back of my head. I mentioned to her that I have been using the inversion table and another barber said that she uses the same inversion table and that inverting does stimulate hair growth!! A hidden plus that I was not looking for! My wife noticed the facial color more vibrant than before. I went to the acupuncturist and he noticed the texture of my back muscles much more relaxed than the previous month.
    
    I would recommend this machine to anyone who is in pain. Thanks for the concept and from a welder to the engineer, you did a mighty fine job.
    
    —D Griffith, Rockland, MA
• After using Teeter Hang Ups® Inversion table (H.I.T.) once a week at my Yoga class since last spring, I finally treated myself to ownership. I am on it an average of twice a day...
  
  
  • I particularly like the stretch I feel in my stomach and my concave belly between my hip bones reminds me of my teens and twenties - a very good feeling since I will turn 70 in March. The other fact I like is the ease of breathing when I am inverted. It really gives my lungs a workout. Exercising on my H.I.T. is the only exercising I have ever done that is strictly pleasure with no stress or strain. I love it!
    
    —B. Morton, London, Ontario
• At the time I bought the F5000, I was experiencing symptoms of peri-menopause (hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, mood swings). I took an appointment with the OBGYN, and tested positive as being peri-menopausal. I bought the inversion table after having my results...
  
  
  • I read an article published in the Yoga Journal in February 1996 from Ellen Sander that inversion postures do alleviate if not eliminate the menopause symptoms. As yoga teachers we are also taught that inversions are excellent for menopause. I also realised that if I seriously wanted to stay away from hormone therapy I would have to invert twice daily for at least 15 minutes. The F5000 inversion table allows me to invert for a longer period of time in a much more comfortable position than doing a headstand.
    
    After using the table twice a day for 30 days and building my time up to 20 to 30 minutes during the weekends, I was completely back on track, I had more energy and felt on top of my game. 95% of the symptoms were gone and I'm convinced that the remaining 5% is going to fade away with time and commitment. I practice a complete inversion for at least 10 minutes then move back to a 60 or 30 degree angle. It prevents my ankles to getting too sore. I'm 5'4, 130 lbs. and in excellent shape.
    
    I am so glad to be back to myself again. I also work in an office where I have to deal with stress. My vitality is not only higher but I feel very calm after each inversion and by God, people even tell me that I look younger!
    
    I am not really surprised with the result I got from inverting. I have some understanding from my Phys Ed Degree of how the endocrine system works and I believe that if you bring more blood into the glands there will work more efficiently. If you bring more blood to the brain it will also work better. Menopause is a shift in our hormones. It's pure physiology. It's nothing mysterious. I don't skip a day and I am really looking forward to it. Physically and mentally I feel on top of my game. My memory and capacity to focus is much sharper.
    
    With all that being said, I hope people will enjoy your table. My advice is to be progressive with it, work the inversion in increments. Once you're on the table take your time and as we say in yoga, "There is no where to go and nothing to do, but to stay in the present moment."
    
    —B. Morton, London, Ontario

¹    Nachemson, A., and Elfstrom, G., (1970): Intravital Dynamic Pressure Measurements in Lumbar Discs.  Scandinavian Journal of Rehab Medicine, supplement.

²   Foreman, TK. et al: (1987):  Diurnal variations in spinal loading and the effects on stature: a preliminary study of nursing activities..  Clinical Biomechanics, 2: 48-54: 367-370. 

³   Russell, Peter.: The Brain Book