🎯 “Discomfort is temporary. Freedom is forever.”
There’s a sound that anyone with osteoarthritis knows too well…
👉 That awful grind… pop… crunch.
Even after losing over 20 kilos—which helped a ton—I was still dealing with bone-on-bone osteoarthritis. My joints were stiff. My lower back ached. My hips and knees felt like rusty hinges some mornings.
But then, I tried something that changed everything. Something simple. Something unexpected.
I flipped upside down.
As with all of these tips, this is my personal opinion of what works for me. I’m not a doctor, so check with your medical professional on anything I say here.
🔥 Why I Started Using an Inversion Table
It all started with one goal: get the pressure off my joints.
I’d heard about inversion tables before. Honestly, they seemed a little… extreme. Hanging upside down? Blood rushing to my head? Sounded weird.
But the first time I tried it, something amazing happened. As my body tilted back, I felt the grind… release. The tension in my hips and spine melted away. The popping stopped. The relief was instant.
Sure, the head rush was a bit intense those first few times. But within a couple of weeks, my body adapted. Now? It’s just part of my day. Easy. Normal. And it feels incredible.
And one of the added benefits was that it only took 30-60 seconds to invert, and I used to spend 15-30 minutes setting up and using my heavy elastic bands to do the same thing my own body weight was now doing in a fraction of the time, and doing it much better! I never liked the bands; they hurt my ankles a lot more and for longer than the inversion table!
Start slow though. There is no way turning yourself upside down feels at all natural. Ease into it but not going full inversion your first time, and when you do, only do it for a few seconds the first time.
And always, always, always have another person there with you while you’re doing it.
🧠 How Inversion Therapy Works (The Simple Science)
- 🔄 Decompresses your joints. Gravity gently pulls your spine, hips, and knees apart—reducing pressure where bones are rubbing.
- 💧 Rehydrates your discs. Those squishy cushions between vertebrae soak up fluids again.
- 🦴 Reduces bone-on-bone friction. Less grinding. Less popping. Less pain.
- 🫀 Improves blood flow. Fresh oxygen flows into joints and tissues that usually feel stiff and tired.
- 🧽 Moves your lymph. Flipping helps your lymphatic system drain waste better, supporting detox and fat-based toxin removal.
💪 The Benefits I’ve Noticed
🦴 Joint Relief On-Demand
- When my hips or knees start grinding, inversion stops it fast.
🚫 Pain Drops Fast
- Especially in my spine, hips, and knees.
💧 Spine Feels Younger
- Inversion gives my spine the space it’s begging for.
💗 Better Circulation + Detox
- I feel lighter. Looser. More energized afterward.
🔋 Brain Reset
- The blood rush actually feels good now—like hitting refresh on my brain.
🧘 Stress Reduction
- It’s deeply calming. Feels like shaking the dust off both my body and mind.
⚖️ The Honest Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| Immediate relief from joint pressure | Head rush feels strange at first |
| Decompresses spine, hips, and knees | Not safe for glaucoma or uncontrolled BP |
| Boosts lymph flow and detox | Can cause dizziness if rushed |
| Enhances circulation and flexibility | Must rise slowly to avoid lightheadedness |
| Relieves stress and tension | Not recommended with certain heart conditions |
🚩 How I Use It (And How You Can Too)
- 🔄 Start Small. First tilt: just 15 to 20 degrees. Stay for 1–2 minutes.
- ⏳ Add Slowly. Each session, tilt a little more. Build up to 60 degrees or more—if it feels good.
- 🧠 Listen to Your Body. If the head rush feels too much, stop. It gets easier with practice.
- ⬆️ Rise Slowly. Coming up too fast is like standing too quickly—you’ll feel it.
- 🗓️ How Often: I use mine 4–5 times a week, for about 30 seconds at a time. But everyone’s different. Nave fun experimenting.
- 🚫 Check With Your Doctor: If you have glaucoma, hernias, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or serious heart conditions. Or just if you want to. There’s no harm in getting an expert opinion.
🔍 What Science Says (And My Body Confirms)
✔️ MRI scans show inversion increases space between spinal discs.
✔️ Studies show it reduces back pain and joint compression.
✔️ Helps flush the lymphatic system, which clears waste and supports detox.
✔️ Experts agree: safe for most healthy adults when done properly.
🔥 My Rule:
It’s not about hanging upside down. It’s about standing right-side-up… without pain.
This little routine gives me freedom. Freedom to move. Freedom to stretch. Freedom to walk without grinding, popping, or wincing. And I feel better not being lopsided as well!
💥 My Takeaway:
Inversion isn’t a miracle. But it feels like one sometimes.
✔️ Less pressure.
✔️ Less pain.
✔️ More freedom. More energy. More life.
And for someone like me, living with bone-on-bone osteoarthritis… that’s priceless.
👉 Your Challenge:
Try it. Find an inversion table. Start small. Tilt back for a minute or two. Then come back tomorrow—I’ve got another tip that’s keeping me feeling strong, mobile, and pain-free after 60. You don’t want to miss it.
I’ll have more tomorrow. See you then.
Warmly,
Paul
