Hope that helps.
Duckie

hi annie,

you mean me with the inversion table.  my spinal alignment, in xrays and
MRIs, is an interesting and challenging anatomical kalidescope, too.<smile>
(advanced degenerative disease)   yes, my inversion table helps.

it's like using gravity, instead of traction, for the benefits of traction.
in-other-words,  gravity is the passive (and active, in so far as gravity is
"active"<smile>) force decompressing one's entire spine.  it only takes 2 or
3 minutes in a semi-inverted position to relieve pain for me for an hour.

one doesn't have to be inverted in a totally perpendicular (90 degrees)
position.  45 degrees to the floor works for me, to take pressure off my
blown disks.  if that's not enough for you, you still have 45 more degrees
to play with, to find what works best for you.<smile>   i find it's gentler
and better to do 2-3 minutes at intervals of several times a day, versus 10
or 20 or more minutes at one time.  you'll find your own comfort zone with
it.

it was worth my investment of $160---i bought a new one, at costco, that can
be folded up and tucked under a bed (though i leave mine unfolded).  at the
time, i noticed that ebay had the same inversion tables i bought.

oddly, i expected to have a problem with it, because it locks onto your legs
just above your ankles and i'm surgically shortened by a full inch in one
leg (half-inch difference in leg length is normal for most people).  i also
worried a bit about my leg joints, but it hasn't hurt the bone on bone knee
joint, which surprised me.

if you can, and i suggest that you do, read the manual that comes with it,
in the store or find it online, before you purchase it, to make certain it
is something your health conditions with allow you to make use of.  i can't
locate my manual at the moment, but i believe i remember there was something
mentioned about high blood pressure not being a good thing for using
it---i'm not sure about that, so do check it out.

kate

ok, annie, i just found my inversion table manual for your friend.   it
strongly recommends that you have your physician on board with using this
(two of mine said ok).  here is the list of "no-no" physical conditions or
ailments that an inversion table could cause problems with:

*extreme obesity
*glaucoma, retinal detachment or conjunctivitis
*pregnancy
*spinal injury, cerebral sclerosis or acutely swollen joints
*middle ear infection
*high blood pressure, hypertension, recent stroke or TIA
*heart or circulatory disorders for which you are being treated
*hiatus hernia or ventral hernia (wonder if they meant "hiatal hernia")
*bone weakness including osteoporosis, unhealed fractures, modularity pins
or surgically implanted orthopedic supports
*use of anti-coagulants including aspirin in high doses

hope that helps.

kate