An inversion table is specialized equipment that allows a person to recline or hang partially or fully upside down, using gravity to stretch the body. This gravity-assisted stretching primarily focuses on the spine, aiming to relieve pressure on the back and joints. The common question is whether this practice can lead to a permanent increase in height. The claim of becoming taller stems from the temporary physical changes that occur during and immediately after an inversion session.
What Determines Adult Human Height
A person’s adult height is largely determined by genetics, which scientists estimate account for up to 80% of the variation in height among people. Final height is achieved when the long bones stop growing, a process governed by the fusion of the growth plates. These specialized areas of cartilage, known as epiphyseal plates, are located near the ends of the long bones. Once these plates harden and fuse, typically in the late teens or early twenties, the skeletal structure is permanently fixed.
The overall height is composed of the length of the legs, the pelvis, and the vertebral column. The spinal column contributes significantly to standing height and consists of 24 individual vertebrae stacked upon one another. While the bony structure of the vertebrae is a fixed component of adult height, the spaces between them allow for minor daily fluctuations. The permanent, bony length of the skeleton dictates the maximum potential height, which is not subject to change after skeletal maturity.
The Mechanism of Spinal Decompression
The perceived height gain from using an inversion table is directly related to its effect on the spinal column. Throughout the day, the constant force of gravity compresses the spine, placing pressure on the intervertebral discs. These discs function as shock absorbers between the vertebrae and are composed of a tough outer ring and a gel-like center that is largely water. Daily compression causes the discs to gradually lose fluid content, leading to a measurable, temporary decrease in overall height by the end of the day.
Inversion therapy works by creating gentle traction, which gradually pulls the vertebrae apart. This separation creates a negative pressure within the intervertebral disc spaces. This vacuum-like effect encourages the discs to draw in fluid, a process known as imbibition, which effectively rehydrates and plumps them up. The temporary increase in the height of these discs is the physical source of the momentary increase in a person’s stature after an inversion session.
Why Height Changes Are Not Permanent
The height increase experienced after using an inversion table is a temporary outcome that quickly reverses. The adult height is set by the fused long bones, and no amount of stretching or decompression can lengthen this bony framework. The temporary elongation is purely due to the rehydration and expansion of the intervertebral discs.
As soon as a person returns to an upright posture, the force of gravity immediately begins to re-compress the spinal column. The fluid that was drawn into the discs during the inversion session is gradually squeezed out again. This process of re-compression means that any height gain is often lost within a few hours of resuming normal, weight-bearing activities. While inversion tables can combat the daily loss of height caused by gravity, they cannot structurally alter the body to produce a lasting increase in adult height.