Do inversion tables actually work for back pain?

Reviewer and community opinion is genuinely split. In r/backpain threads we read, some users report meaningful relief from sciatica, herniated discs and lower-back tension after consistent short sessions; others call inversion therapy a 'marketing gimmick' that did nothing for them. Most expert sources in our pool frame inversion as passive mechanical traction that may decompress the spine — useful as one tool, not a cure. If you have high blood pressure, glaucoma or heart issues, check with a doctor first; that warning shows up across the medical-leaning sources we read.