Sciatica is a pain that runs down the legs and originates from the lower spinal area. It is marked by a shooting pain and is a debilitating condition that impairs a person’s enjoyment of life. When you’ve got sciatica, you’ll do almost anything to get rid of it.
Fortunately, there is a way to get immediate relief from sciatica pain – inversion therapy. In this article, we review the 8 best inversion tables on the current market to help you find the best tool to help you beat your sciatica pain.
The Innova IT9600 is the best inversion table for sciatica currently on the market. This is a very moderately priced table that is solidly built. It is designed for newcomers to the inversion table market and, as such, is very user friendly.
This inversion table features the classic A-frame design, making it very solid and stable. It has an adjustable head pad, foam-padded supports and allows for a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. There are also five angle adjustments on this inversion table to allow you to get precise placement of your body.
Our Selection of the 8 Best Inversion Tables for Sciatica:
We have done the research for you so that you can spend more time benefiting from your inversion table as opposed to searching high and low for the right inversion table for you. Here are the top 8 inversion tables for sciatica that you can find in the market today.
1. Innova IT9600 Inversion Table
Pros:
- Great price
- Stable base
- 5 angle adjustments
- Padded foam supports
Cons:
- Does not have ankle straps
The Innova ITX9600 inversion table makes it to the top of our list thanks to its combination of basic functionality, high-quality construction, and attractive price point. The quality and features of this product are those that you would expect on a higher priced inversion table.
This inversion table is designed with a frame to provide a very solid support base while you are hanging upside down. The framing is constructed from high gauge steel tubing. An auto hinge lock system ensures that you are safely secured in place while you are inverted.
This beginner inversion table is quite compact, measuring in at 28 x 46 inches. The height at its maximum point is 63 inches. That means that this table will work well for apartment dwellers or others who live in a space-challenged environment. Despite its small stature, it provides plenty of variety. The ITX 9600 has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. It also provides you with five angle adjustments so that it is able to work with people of all heights.
When you are new to the inversion game, you don’t want to be having to contend with complicated angle adjustments. This inversion table makes it quick and easy to adjust your angle by way of a pin select arrangement.
The weight of the Innova ITX 9600 is just under 50 pounds. Your purchase comes with an adjustable and removable head pad, along with padded supports for the ankles and hand bars. When it comes to customizing for your body alignment, the Innova ITX 9600 gives you three options. You can adjust the headrest, along with the height of the main unit and you are also able to adjust the footrest.
When it comes to bringing quick relief to your sciatica pain, the Innova ITX 9600 does a great job of relieving sciatica pain. Its pressure point hubs effectively target the lower back and upper leg pain points.
2. Innova ITM4800 Advanced Therapeutic Inversion Table
Pros:
- Fully adjustable
- Max user weight of 300 pounds
- Six pin framework
Cons:
- Heavy
The Innova ITM4800 is a slightly more expensive offering from the ever-impressive Innova stable of inversion tables. Again, the maximum user limit on this table is 300 pounds. However, with this one, you get a spin edge space framework, along with a reversible holding framework for the lower legs. Those innovations allow you a greater level of customization.
This inversion table is extremely solidly constructed and secure. The backrest on the Innova ITM4800 is spacious and well padded. It also features a lumbar bar for better ergonomic positioning. The headrest of this table is also adjustable. The adjustment features of this table allow for it to be used by people who are between 4’10” and 6’6” in height.
The reason that we chose not to rate the Innova ITM4800 as our No. 1 rated inversion table for sciatica is that it is comparatively heavy. This makes it a bit tricky to move around, especially for the elderly and those who are prone to sciatica and lower back pain.
3. Ironman Gravity Inversion Table
Pros:
- Maximum user weight of 350 pounds
- Removable lumbar support
- Well-padded back support
Cons:
- Heavy
- A little limited in terms of leg extension
The Ironman Gravity Inversion table is a heavy-duty alternative to the two Innova tables listed above it. The heavier framing can support a maximum user weight of 350 pounds, which is 50 pounds higher than both of those Innova tables. The back support of this table is well padded with adjustable foam. This provides a very good level of spinal support.
The Ironman Gravity inversion table provides you with a removable lumbar cushion. This allows you to get ideal back comfort as you recline. Another feature that we like on this machine is the fact that it has extra long handles. This makes it easy for people to bring themselves back up to an upright position. The table sits very securely on your floor and is supported by a series of elastic stabilizers to make sure that there is no lateral movement while you are suspended upside down.
On the downside, the heavy frame of this unit makes it quite a challenge to move around your home. Some reviews have also mentioned that there is a limited amount of leg adjustment space which can make lying in position feel a little awkward.
4. Innova ITM5900 Inversion Table
Pros:
- Foldable
- 1 1/2 inch squeeze square tubing
- maximum user weight of 300 pounds
Cons:
- Back Support may be limiting for larger people
- Ankle cushioning not overly thick
By now it should be pretty clear that Innova is one of the best inversion table manufacturers in the world. This is, after all, the third appearance so far on this list. The ITM5900 does an effective job of allowing for height adjustment. can be used by people from 4’ 10” to 6’6”. The structure of this table is very solid being made from 1 1/2 inch square steel tubing. The maximum user weight is 300 pounds.
The ITM 5900 features some pretty cool innovative features that will help to bring fast relief to your sciatica pain. It includes a vertical massage pad in the spinal area of the back pad to deliver direct heat therapy for your lower spinal and hip area. The multimode heat and massage setting can be used with either auto or manual controls.
A six-position adjustable pin setting makes it easy to get in and out of position safely. This inversion table also comes with an enhanced ergonomic design around the ankle pads to remove ankle pressure and provide you with a more secure hold.
The ITM5900 is a foldable inversion table. it features extra long handles to make it easier to get in and out of position. It also provides you with ankle padding but this is not as full as on some of our higher-rated models. The back support is shaped rather than being rectangular. This may be an issue for people who are on the larger side.
5. Health Gear ITM5500 Inversion Table
Pros:
- 4-inch memory foam back padding
- four adjustable leg rollers
- heating and vibrating massage pad (removable)
- maximum user weight 300 pounds
Cons:
- Expensive
The Health Gear ITM5500 is a very impressive entry onto our list that includes some great features. However, it is also very expensive, coming in at more than double the price of our top-rated inversion table, the Innova IT 9600.
The back padding on this inversion table is the best we have yet come across. It features 4-inch memory foam that is extremely comfortable and responsive. It also incorporates heating and vibrating massage pad through the lower back area. This setup can be removed if you want to have a more conventional experience.
The lower leg support system on the Health Gear ITM 5500 provides you with no less than 4 adjustable leg rollers. Each of them comes with large foam padding to enhance your leg comfort and prevent the pinching that you often get when reclining on other competing models.
This inversion table accommodates users between the Heights of 5’1” and 6’5”. The maximum allowable user weight on this table is 300 pounds. This is a relatively lightweight inversion table that comes with transportation wheels for easy storage.
6. Teeter FitSpine X Inversion Table
Pros:
- Acupressure nodes
- Lumbar roll pad (removable)
- The 8-point floating suspension system
- Flex-tech back support
Cons:
- Expensive
Teeter is one of the most reputable inversion table manufacturers in the market. Their Teeter FitSpine X model incorporates top of the range features, including acupressure nodes for precise pain management, a removable lumbar roll pad, an eight-point floating suspension system for precise, easy movement and a patented Flex-Tech back support that is ergonomically designed and extremely breathable.
This is a very well-designed, compact inversion table that features a classic A-frame design. The framing is solid and sturdy without being bulky. It supports a max user weight of 300 pounds and is adjustable for people between 4’8” and 6’6”. Teeter is the only company that can claim that their inversion tables are FDA registered as a 501 (k) medical device. Your purchase of the Teeter FitSpine X Inversion table is backed by a 5-year warranty. At close to $300, this is an expensive inversion table.
7. Harison Heavy Duty Inversion Table
Pros:
- Max user weight of 350 pounds
- Wide back support
- Integrated heavy-duty steel framing
- 4 angle adjustments
- Height adjustable from 4’3” to 6’5”
Cons:
- Bulky
- Expensive
The Harison Heavy Duty Inversion Table is another heavy-duty model, providing you with a maximum user weight of 350 pounds. The backrest on this table is also wider than most. The memory foam padding on the backrest provides you with a superior level of comfort and spinal support.
This is the most solid inversion table that we have come across. This is a beast of a machine, with heavy-duty integrated steel framing. That makes for the most solid and secure table on this list. The back support on this table features a series of indentations to provide a gentle massage and ideal ergonomic positioning.
You get four angle positions with this inversion table. That allows you to get a maximum of 180-degree inversion. Getting in and out of position on this unit is relatively easy. The triangle sturdy frame incorporates what is known as a true balanced design to enhance your safety when you are hanging upside down. A high spec safety belt shores up your safety level even further. A reversible ankle holding system, coupled with thick foam padding ensures that you get plenty of ankle support.
This inversion table provides the greatest level of height adjustment of any of the tables on this list. It will accommodate users with heights between 4’3” and 6’5”. That means that most children will be able to use this table.
8. Ironman IFT4000 Therapy Inversion Table
Pros:
- Carbon Far Infrared Rays
- Heat therapy
- Long handles
- Ergonomic lower leg supports
Cons:
- The frame is not very thick
The Ironman IFT4000 Therapy Inversion Table is a budget model that is built with tubular steel framing. However, it still sits solidly to provide you with a sturdy, secure hold when you are inverted. The unique selling point of this inversion table is that the back pad has been infused with a series of Carbon Far Infrared Rays or FIRs. This technology provides heat therapy to your entire back area.
We like the fact that the Ironman IFT4000 inversion table provides you with extra-long safety handles. This makes it easy for you to get in and out of position. The lower leg supports of this machine are ergonomically designed to provide the secure support you need without adding pain to your ankles and calves.
Your purchase of the Ironman IFT4000 Therapy Inversion Table comes with a remote control unit to make it easy for you to control its many features.
What to look for When Buying an Inversion Table for Sciatica
When buying an inversion table, there are several key things to look out for to ensure that you get a quality unit. Here are the 5 key features to be on the lookout for:
Solid, Secure Framing
By its very nature, an inversion table is designed to hold your body upside down. It’s not surprising, then, that its ability to hold you safely and securely is paramount. The strength of the framing steel and the design of the machine will largely determine its safety.
Look for a table that has an A-frame design and that provides you with a max user weight of at least 300 pounds. The inversion table should provide you with a secure self-locking system and, ideally, a safety belt for extra security. Foldable inversion tables should also come with self-locking hinges. This will ensure that the unit doesn’t close up with you still inside it!
Dimensions and Settings
You want your inversion table to be usable by more than one person. That means that it should be adjustable for a range of heights. Look for a unit that will accommodate people between the heights of 4’10” and 6’5”. Also, the headrest and ankle pads should be fully adjustable. The lower leg supports should provide you with a secure locking system so that your feet don’t come out of place. Look for a table that is also well-padded around the ankles to avoid discomfort in the area.
Handles
The handles on the inversion table should be long enough to allow you to use them to get in and out of position, so the longer the better. They should also be fully padded. The wrap-around design of handles provides the best level of support.
Back Padding
The quality of back padding on your inversion table will determine how comfortable you are in the inverted position. Look for at least two inches of padding thickness. Tables with removable lumbar supports are also advantageous. If you are wanting optimal back relief, look for a table that comes with heat pads and / or a vibrating massager on the back padding.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using an inversion table?
Inversion therapy is a well-established means of providing relief for back pain and sciatica. When you invert you will immediately relieve the compression on your spine. Your posterior chain will stretch out, bringing instant pain relief. You will also be allowing your spine to return to its natural bodily alignment.
Suspending on an inversion table can bring immediate relief to sciatica and back pain. By extending the space between your vertebrae, it can release nerves that have got caught between them.
Inversion therapy can also help in your post-workout recovery. If you have been squatting or deadlifting, your back will be slightly compressed. Spending a few minutes on your inversion table will reverse this compression. It will also help to overcome delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Regular use of an inversion table will also strengthen the muscles of your core. Every moment that you are suspended, your abs, obliques, and intercostals will be in a tensed position. As a bonus, you can even perform a range of core-centric exercises on your inversion table.
Conclusion
An inversion table can bring immediate relief for anyone suffering from sciatica pain. Our overview of the 8 best inversion tables for sciatica has given you plenty of options across all price and feature ranges. You can purchase any of these inversion tables with confidence, knowing that they will provide you with the relief you need and the quality, safety, and comfort that you deserve.
This article was last updated on December 13, 2022 .
