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InversionHow long should I invert?^ TOP Approximately 3-5 minutes of inversion is necessary to effectively decompress the weight bearing joints; however, this depends on the ability of your muscles to relax and release. While there is no pre-determined time limit for inversion, it's important to listen and respond to your body and remember that inversion is about relaxation and enjoyment. Beginners should ease into their inversion routine, starting with only 1-2 minutes per session and advancing only as they feel comfortable. Remember that you are stretching and realigning your body, so just like other exercise programs, you may feel soreness in the beginning. If you do, simply reduce your angle or duration of inversion and move at a more gradual training pace. How often should I invert? ^ TOP To achieve maximum results, we recommend routinely inverting with the Teeter several times a day. The Teeter® is a great morning wake-up or as a way to wind-down in the evening for a good night's sleep. It can also be used in conjunction with a fitness workout as a way to recover from high impact, compressive, or rotational activities – or simply as a go-to tool for occasional relief of back pain and tension. To what degree should I invert? ^ TOP Beginners should start at a mild angle (approximately 20-30 degrees beyond horizontal) for the first few weeks until you become comfortable with the operation of the equipment. You should be able to completely relax your body at this angle before you invert to greater angles. 20 - 30 degrees: At this angle, muscles and joints begin to experience mild stretching with improved circulation and lymph flow. 60 degrees (parallel with the rear legs of the table): According to the Nachemson medical study, which surgically implanted pressure sensors in the third lumbar disc and compared pressure at different body positions, a pull of 60% of the patient's body weight is necessary to decompress the lumbar. This roughly equates to 60 degrees on a Teeter. To experience the full benefits of inversion, take your time and work up to the 60 degree angle. 90 degrees (full inversion): Although advancing to 90 degrees is not required to get the decompressive benefits, our survey shows that nearly half of all users do fully invert, enjoying the added freedom for stretches and exercises offered at this angle. Intermittent traction / Oscillation: Intermittent traction (alternating 20-30 seconds inversion with returning upright) or oscillation (rhythmic rocking back and forth) are actually the "preferred" methods of inversion for stimulating circulation and waste removal in and around injured discs. Isn't all the blood going to go to my head? Are there any risks?^ TOP The body accommodates for the changing blood pressure by dilating the vessels and capillaries and increasing the cerebral spinal fluid to support the vessels. Will you feel increased pressure and will your face turn red? Probably. The redness is a result of the increased blood flow and dilation of the capillaries, which actually brings more oxygen to the brain, eyes, skin and hair. That feeling of pressure (caused by a reversal of the hydrostatic column) actually occurs outside of the skull in the face and eyes. Inside the skull, there are compensating pressures, as discussed above. The increased circulation and therefore nutrients to the brain can actually be good for you! One preliminary study showed that the brain runs 7% faster and 14% more accurate while inverted! Any discomfort caused by the superficial pressure changes usually lessens over time as you become accustomed to inverting. If you are a beginner and are uncomfortable with this feeling, it is OK to come up and rest a while. This is referred to as "intermittent" traction (alternating inversion with being upright) and is a good way to help get used to the inverted world. You can also try "oscillation" which is a rhythmic rocking back and forth. How do I focus on the lower back / upper back / neck region? ^ TOP Inversion is a natural form of gravity-assisted traction that results in progressive decompression. This means that each joint is decompressed by the same weight that compresses it while upright. Incorporate inverted stretches to lengthen muscles and encourage decompression and alignment. If your Teeter inversion equipment came with an Instructional DVD (all of our manual inversion tables do), look for the section on stretching and exercises to help get the most out of your inversion experience! What exercises do you recommend while inverted?^ TOP All of Teeter's manual inversion tables come with an instructional DVD that includes some basic inverted stretching and inverted exercise tips. In addition, some of our Teeter products come with the DVD bonus Advanced Secrets to a Healthy Back, which includes a class featuring the inversion table and a series of partial and fully inverted stretches and exercises. Movement while inverted helps to maximize the benefits of inversion for your joints and ligaments by encouraging rehydration and increased flexibility. Joints that are slightly out of alignment from overuse and misuse are helped to naturally realign with gentle stretching during decompression, resulting in better body symmetry and posture. I'm feeling some aching in my back when I return upright from inverting. Is this normal? ^ TOP There could be several causes for this. You did too much too soon: If you are new to inversion, your body is not used to being inverted (chances are you haven't hung upside down since 2nd grade!) By inverting too much too soon, you are probably going to be a little sore. You can liken inversion to beginning any new exercise program. If you over-do it on the first day, you will probably pay for it later! You returned upright too fast: When inverted, your vertebrae have a chance to separate and the discs can decompress. This action reduces pressure on the nerves that run through your spinal column. When you ascend (return upright) on the inversion table, your spine "re-compresses"-- the vertebrae return to their normal position and the pressure on the discs increases again. If you come up from inversion too fast, you might place sudden pressure on the nerves that run through the spine, which can cause some pain. Instead, you should invert to a mild angle (30-40 degrees) for a just few minutes. Come back up so your head is only slightly above your feet, just past the horizontal position (lying flat). Remain here for several minutes to allow your spine to slowly re-compress. Then slowly come up the rest of the way. Always keep in mind that if you experience extreme pain, or if you always experience pain while inverting, you should discontinue inversion until you have had a chance to talk with your doctor. Are there any medical contraindications for inversion? ^ TOP Inversion therapy can provide innumerable benefits to your health. However, inversion may not be for everyone. If you have any of the following health conditions, please do not invert without your licensed physician's approval (this is not an exhaustive list - it is intended only for your reference.)
Will inversion therapy help with a bulged disc? ^ TOP Discs are the soft tissue between the vertebrae of the spine. They have a jelly-like center that is contained within a cartilage ring. Bulged, Herniated, Slipped or Prolapsed discs occur when the fibers of the cartilage weaken or are stressed to the point of allowing the nucleus to extend past its natural boundaries and in some cases rupture. The discs themselves do not have sensation, but disc damage can sometimes result in pressure on the nerves that run through the spine, which results in pain, numbness, or weakness. When using a Teeter, the natural pull of gravity elongates the spine, increasing the separation between each vertebrae, helping to reduce pressure on nerve roots. In the case of a bulged disc, the action of increasing the space margins between the vertebrae can actually create a mild suction in the disc, which may help encourage the bulged nucleus to return to its proper place. This also encourages rehydration of the disc, facilitating the natural healing process. Several sessions a day of intermittent traction on the Teeter may offer the best results. Listen to your body and find an angle most comfortable for you. After inverting, take your time coming back upright, pausing at just above horizontal for 30 seconds, to allow the slow return of pressure to the damaged discs. Will inversion help with headaches or migraines? ^ TOP Some people have reported to us that inverting on a regular basis has actually helped reduce the frequency of migraine occurrences. However, we do not have any medical studies to specifically back this claim. Do not attempt to invert if you are in the middle of experiencing a migraine, as it could potentially worsen your headache. Will inversion therapy help improve blood flow from the lower limbs? ^ TOP When inverted, you are helping your heart move venous blood from your legs and torso to the heart and lungs to be purified. Inversion also helps to move fresh, oxygen-rich blood from your heart and lungs to your upper body and brain. When a muscle contracts, this squeezes capillaries and slows removal of wastes from the muscle. Sustained muscle contraction due to stress or muscle spasms causes wastes to accumulate in the tissue and this produces pain. Using a Teeter helps stretch and relax muscles and gravity helps the lymph system to clear out the pain-producing toxins trapped in tense muscles. By stimulating circulation, inversion has been known to relieve varicose veins. Varicose veins are caused when blood pools in the veins due to weakened one-way valves. The downward pull of gravity causes blood to slip back, and over time the vein will distend and become painful. When inverting, the pressure is relieved and the heart is able to clear the blood from the lower body. If someone has fused vertebrae, is it safe for them to invert? ^ TOP There are many types of fusion surgeries. Some post fusion patients are helped by inversion. Any fusion patient should consult with a licensed physician before inverting. Can inversion help children with scoliosis? Does age matter? ^ TOP Our medical advisor prefers to get patients involved with inversion as early as possible. Using inversion to help slow or reverse the effects of scoliosis is helpful at any age, but especially before the bones fully harden at ages 12-14. The size of the equipment may be an issue, so younger children will need an attendant. There are many causes of scoliosis. Some causes may be problematic for inversion (bone infection, cancer, compression fracture). Most scoliosis in children is related to bone anomalies or calcification disorders, both of which do well with inversion. Of course, you should always consult with a licensed physician. Here are some tips for improving ankle comfort while inverted:^ TOP Make sure you wear socks with lace-up shoes - the material will provide added cushion and support for the ankles. Fit the ankle clamps snug enough so you're secure, but don't clamp them super tight -- this will restrict blood flow and cause discomfort. Rotate the rear ankle clamps slightly downward before you secure your ankles. As you invert, they will rotate to cup the back of your heels. Adjust the foot platform so that there is minimal space between the top of your foot and the platform. The less your body 'shifts' when you invert, the better. Try oscillation and intermittent inversion first (rocking back and forth or short inversion sessions down then up). It may take days or even weeks to get comfortable with inversion, but you will soon adapt to the feeling. Will I get any taller?^ TOP Sadly, inversion cannot make you taller than the height predetermined by your genes! However, inversion does help take care of the soft tissue in your joints, keeping them hydrated and healthy. Inversion can also help you recover from daily height loss and combat progressive height loss. To understand the natural daily cycle of height loss, much can be learned from the Foreman[1] study. Following nurses during their daily activity, the study found greater loss of stature during 8 hour working shifts than during 12 hours periods on their 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. The human body not only experiences height loss on a daily basis, but over a lifetime as well. Tanner[2] explains that most people will lose from 1/2” - 2” (1-5 cm) in height during their lifetime due the long-term affect of gravity on the soft tissue of the joints, notably the discs. As a baby, the intervertebral discs are 90% fluid. However, fluid content in the discs decreases to 70% by age 70, resulting in thinner discs that are less flexible and less shock-absorbent. An active inversion program can help maintain more of the body's original height by reducing the pressure on the intervertebral discs[3], encouraging fluid movement back into the spongy disc tissue. [1] Foreman, TK, et al: Diurnal variations in spinal loading and the effects on stature: a preliminary study of nursing activities. Clinical Biomechanics, 2: 48-54, 1987. WAVEIs the WAVE safe to use and are there any contraindications?^ TOP Vibration exercise is safe for a variety of populations from young athletes to older adults. Prior to starting a new exercise program it is always recommended to seek the approved consent of a medical professional.
Who is vibration exercise good for?^ TOP Vibration exercise has become widely popularized in the fitness and sports performance industry as well as hospitals, small private rehabilitation clinics, weight loss clinics, assisted living homes, corporate settings and even home gyms. Does vibration exercise substitute for cardiovascular exercise?^ TOP The WAVE has been designed to be gentle on the cardiovascular system and thus can be used by people who can't stress their cardiovascular system. A cardio effect can be achieved by increasing the intensity of the exercise, decreasing the rest time or adding extra weight. Does vibration exercise substitute for weight training and how does it compare to conventional exercise?^ TOP Vibration exercise recruits more muscle fibers than conventional exercise due to its ability to influence the stretch reflex. Since this is an involuntary reflex, a large percentage of the muscle fibers can be recruited - both fast and slow twitch muscle groups leading to changes in strength and muscle size. Hydro-MassageWhat are the contraindications of massage?^ TOP The following conditions will require a medical doctors clearance: Acromegaly, Aneurysm, Atherosclerosis, Burns, Cancer, Cerebrovascular accident, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Hemophelia, Hodgkin's Disease, Kidney Stones, Leukemia, Myasthenia Gravis, Nephrosis, Peritonitis, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Uremia. Where will my massage session take place? ^ TOP Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table fully clothed, especially designed for your comfort. We just ask that you remove anything in your pockets that would scratch the bed. (ie. your shoes) What do I wear during the massage? ^ TOP Depending on the technique hydro-massage bed uses, you will not need to undress. What do I do during a massage therapy treatment? ^ TOP Make yourself comfortable. Change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session, You may choose to listen to music, or play games including solitare during your massage. It's up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax.. How will a massage feel? ^ TOP You control the entire massage, increasing the pressure of the heated water jets, or the speed at which they travel You even control where the massage starts and stops along your body. There is also a pause feature, you can pause the jets at any time. Is a massage always appropriate? ^ TOP No, there are several medical conditions that would make massage inappropriate. That's why it is necessary that you fill out the health history forms and before you begin your session. The massage therapist will ask general health questions to rule out if you have any contraindications to massage. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to any session. Your massage therapist may require a recommendation or approval from your doctor. How long will a massage treatment last? ^ TOP The average full-body massage treatment lasts approximately 15 minutes.. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment? ^ TOP Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. TanningWhy Tan?^ TOP Light is essential to all life on earth. There are various physiological and psychological reasons why exposure to light is desirable and necessary. There's a growing body of scientific evidence showing people actually require light exposure to function effectively. Light exposure causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin that acts as a depressant in the body and exposure to light produces various health benefits, such as the production of the very necessary Vitamin D3 in the prevention of bone diseases (such as osteoporosis) and in the improvement of symptoms of psoriasis. People who are exposed to longer hours of bright light feel happier and are able to enjoy life. Potential health benefits include but are not limited to: production of Vitamin D, decreased risks of breast and colon cancer, and reduced risk of sunburn. The psychological benefits of tanning are also well researched. Sunlight deprivation has been linked to some mental disorders. There are numerous reasons, physical and psychological, why exposure to ultraviolet light is desirable. FDA regulations at the present time prevent the indoor tanning industry from making any medical representations or claims related to indoor tanning exposure. And of course, people know that a great tan looks good, feels good, and can add to personal confidence and attractiveness. What should I wear to tan? ^ TOP Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. But, because of the privacy of indoor tanning, most tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to ultraviolet light before will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly. Cut down the exposure time for these areas to 1/3 or less of the total time recommended by your tanning professional. When you can't see any tan lines on your body at all, it's ok to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body. Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning? ^ TOP Yes, in fact, sometimes more so because you are in a controlled environment. Your skin produces a tan the same way in an indoor tanning salon as it does when you lay out in the sun: through ultraviolet (UV) light. However, out in the sun, you cannot control the amount of UV light exposure and trying to achieve an all-over even-body tan is very difficult. Indoor tanning allows you to control the amount of UV light, for all all-over even tan. With indoor tanning you can gradually increase your exposure time eliminating any sunburn, which is harmful to the skin. The results and convenience of an "indoor tan" allows a year round healthy looking tan without concerns of prolonged exposure to the burning rays of the sun. How long will it take to see results? ^ TOP To build an awesome tan, tan regularly. Allowing too much time between visits will cause your tan to fade. Most people will see a skin color change after the first few sessions. Normally, you will have a good base tan in 6-10 sessions. Then one or two sessions a week thereafter will maintain your tan year round. There are special cells in the skin called melanocytes. Ultraviolet B rays stimulate these cells and cause them to produce melanin. As these cells migrate to the surface of the skin, ultraviolet A rays oxidize them; thus creating a tan. Each of us has a different amount of melanin. Fair-skinned, fair-haired people generally have less than dark-haired, dark-skinned people. This determines, for the most part, how quickly and how dark your skin will tan. How do I keep my tan? ^ TOP Moisturize! Moisturize! Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion especially formulated-for-tanning. Your skin is constantly renewing itself. The dryer your skin is, the faster it wants to shed its top layers and bring new skin to the surface. You loose the top layers, you loose your tan. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even with moisturizing you will still need to maintain a tanning schedule of every 4 to 5 days, or at least once a week, to keep your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time. How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions? ^ TOP The FDA requires 24 hours between tanning sessions. We recommend allowing at least 2 days in between sessions whenever time allows. Is it okay to shower right away after tanning? ^ TOP Absolutely! Tanning is a process that can take up to 24 hours to develop. You can not "wash" away your tan, unless you are using a self tanner, shaving right away, or exfoliating. Should I use SPF on my lips? ^ TOP Yes! You should use an SPF on your lips because your lips can't tan. How old do I have to be to tan without my parent's consent? ^ TOP Sixteen or older. State law requires signed parental permission for anyone under 16 years of age. Anyone under 16 must have a parent or legal guardian present with them to sign the Release Form before tanning the first time in our salon. After signing the Release, parents do not need to be present on subsequent visits. We will not accept notes from home, phone calls or parents of friends or other relatives to sign for them as we cannot verify their authenticity. Do I really have to wear eye goggles? ^ TOP Yes! It is very important! Your skin can tan - your eyes can't! Federal law requires all tanning salons to supply customers with proper eye protection. This eyewear must meet federal government standards by blocking 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Closing the eyelids or using sunglasses or cotton balls is not adequate protection as the UV rays will easily penetrate these things and continue into the eyes. Can I tan if I'm pregnant? ^ TOP Please consult your physician. Although we know that there is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper than the dermis (skin layer), pregnant women are advised to be cautious with saunas, hot tubs and other things that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. If your physician okay's your tanning, speak to our Tanning Consultant about which units and times of day are best. When shouldn't I tan? ^ TOP When you are taking photosensitizing medication it is not recommended to tan outdoors or indoors. If you aren't sure, ask your doctor, or ask our tanning consultant to see a list of medications, which can greatly increase the risk of overexposure. A partial list, by no means inclusive, appears below. Many common medications and even ingredients in food, shampoos & soaps can cause photo sensitivity which may lead to overexposure. If you are taking prescription medications please check with your physician regarding possible photo sensitivity. Perfumes and colognes containing Furocoumarins, compound from natural products such as plants and fruits, can cause your skin to become highly sensitive to UV light. Food and fruits that contain photosensitizing agents: celery, carrots, lime, coriander, parsley, fennel, dill, buttercup, mustard and fig. Not everyone will experience a photosensitive reaction. Also, someone who experiences a photosensitive reaction once will NOT necessarily experience it again or every time. Medications will NOT cause the same degree of skin reaction in all individuals. The most common photosensitizing list. This is not an exhaustive list of everything that could have photosensitizing effects. For answers to any question about a drug or product that you use, you should consult a physician.
What causes white spots? ^ TOP Tinea Versicolor, a skin condition, caused by a microscopic fungus from the scalp, falls onto arms, shoulders, and other body parts and leaves bleached-looking areas on the skin, which can spread. It is treatable with topical aids such as leaving the active ingredient in Selsum Blue dandruff shampoo on for 10 minutes along with applying Tea Tree oil twice daily for mild cases. For more resistant conditions, your doctor may prescribe pills for treatment. Since tinea versicolor covers skin cells and acts as a sun screen with high SPF factor, the effected areas will not tan and should be protected from further ultraviolet light exposure until those bleached areas have begun developing melanin again. Can indoor tanning cure acne? ^ TOP Phototherapy (use of UV light) has been used in treating the skin problems of this condition. Tanning dries the skin and this can help keep acne outbreaks to a minimum in acute cases and can help eliminate outbreaks in mild cases. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also used for the treatment of acne and because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must take extreme care with UV exposure when medicated. Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder? ^ TOP A growing body of scientific evidence exists that shows some people require more light exposure in order to function properly. Bright light exposure, such as the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin which acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Effected people, exposed to longer hours of bright light, feel happier and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD).
F.A.Q. QuicklinksInversion
WAVE
Hydro-Massage
Tanning
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