Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsFinally received back pain (and neck pain and sciatica) relief.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2016
I waited thirty days to post a review to be sure I was confident in my opinion. I have used this thing every day I was home (which was about 20 days as I travel a little bit).
Short version: Oh my God, why didn't someone tell me about this 10 years ago? I think there might be a conspiracy among medical professionals to keep us from having the thing that benefits us the most. This thing is amazing. I wish I could've gotten it a long time ago.
Longer version:
I ordered the Teeter EP-960 Ltd Inversion Table with Back Pain Relief Kit. In my case I found a refurbished model from the website. This is something I highly recommend if they have a refurbished model for sale. This version comes with a lumbar piece and some acupuncture aids. I didn't use either. At least, not yet.
About me: I'm a 56 year old male. I'm 6' 2", 237#. Not on any medications.
My back issues: persistent sciatica down my right leg. A never ending pinching pain in my lower right back. A pain in my right hip that I suspect is the result of compensating for the rest of the mess I'm dealing with. A "weakness" in my right thigh that I assume is related to the sciatica and sometimes rises to the level of an ache. Neck pain that limits my range of motion.
Before purchasing the device I woke up every day feeling bad, but not terrible. Then it gets worse all day and by the end of the day, when you put all the issues together, I'm at about a 7 in pain most days. Some days are worse than others, even much worse; as you know if you have these kinds of chronic back issues. My hip pain was severe enough that I was convinced that, at the age of 56, I would soon need a hip replacement surgery.
This thing is amazing, but it doesn't lead to repair or healing. At least, not for me. Or at least, not yet. It relieves symptoms, no doubt. In fact, my experience is that it completely eliminates symptoms. But it only eliminates symptoms when I can consistently invert. Then I feel like a kid again. But if I miss a couple of days because of travel I regress very quickly.
A word about the device, in general: this thing is well-made. It's solid, steady, and I feel safe using it. I'm a big man, so that was a source of some concern for me. It's also comfortable to use.
Regarding my ankles and knees: I have no pain or discomfort when using the device. But I have followed the instructions very strictly.
Once I had time to work on it, I put it together in less 30 minutes. I watched the video first and then put the machine together following along with the girl on the video. Seriously, it was stupid easy. It comes in about six pieces and six screws. Very easy. Once assembled, it did take a little while to find the right height adjustment for me.
Although I am 6' 2" the perfect balance for me is at 6' 4". Once I found that setting I was good to go. I played around with it and inverted at various angles for about 20 minutes. I would only be "inverted" for about 20-30 seconds at a time. Then I would return to horizontal. But I did it so much (at least 10 times) I was lightheaded and had a headache. But by the end of my experimenting I was very good at moving back and forth by just moving my hands up and down my body. When I finally dismounted my back felt better.
Eventually, after several days of experimenting, I have settled on inverting at 60° for about 20 to 30 seconds each. If I do more time than that I get lightheaded and sometimes have headaches. This seems to be the happy medium. After finding this happy medium I was almost instantly pain-free.
I had pain/stiffness in my neck that was just second nature to me. I wasn't expecting this process to deal with that issue and had lived with it so long I guess I just forgot it was an issue. But the neck pain/stiffness has been really restricting my range of motion and now I feel normal. I can turn my head normally. It's the part of this that is the most odd. And satisfying.
Two final thoughts:
1.This thing is the equivalent of aspirin. Short term relief. No cure. But you should feel much better. I use mine twice a day. Three inversions at 60° for about 20 to 30 seconds each in the morning and again in the evening.
2. I am exceptionally unhappy with my health care professionals over the years that never told me about this opportunity to feel better. It's hard to believe it is anything other than a conspiracy of some sort to protect their business interests.
