My girl friend insists that I start to drink alkaline water from now on. Is there any benefit from this beverage?

The world of health and nutrition is full of charlatans who want to defraud consumers with crappy useless products. First, there was blue water, red water, gripe water, soda water, acai water, berry water, juice water, piss water and now we have alkaline water. Alkaline water is heavily marketed by the manufacturers with  outrageous claims. 

The alkaline water is claimed to neutralize all the acid in your body, kill bugs, increase energy, boost libido, help digestion and help you poop comfortably once a day. All this is a bunch of crap. There is no evidence that alkaline water can do this. If you want to live long and healthy, drink clean water not bottled in Japan. The only water that is safe is boiled water.

How do teeter hang up tables help people with back pain?

They do not – it is just a scam. The teeter inversion hang up tables basically allow you to stand yourself inside a circular divide and hang yourself with the head down. In the beginning you will feel flushed because of the increased blood circulation in your face and upper body. The manufacturers say that it is also a great way to relax. Best advice, give these stupid devices a rest and save your hard-earned money on food or rent. The field of back pain has many charlatans who offer you false promises but instead sell you junk devices. If you really want to try out an inversion table, just stand on your head for 5 minutes- if you like that feeling- then I guess you can buy one.

Should I buy an inversion table for my home? I have had back pain for many years.

Thousands of individuals have back pain and asides from taking pain medications; there is no other effective remedy. Now there are many types of inversion tables that are claimed to help ease the chronic lower back pain.

 It is even claimed that these machine increase blood flow to your body and joints. The teeter hang up tables are just more junk in your home- they do take up space and are expensive. Do you really think that you are going to come home after a long day’s work and hang yourself upside down for 1 solid hour each day? If you are not sure- try standing on your head for 10 minutes first and see if you like the feeling- teeter tables are for people who are gullible- or suckers.

I have been having back pain for many years and my physical therapist recommends that I buy an inversion table. Any thoughts?

Another fraud. Most health care professionals have started to join the medical device industry and develop equipments that are nothing more than junk. There are many types of inversion tables and the manufacturers of these devices claim that if you hang upside down or sideways then your back pain will disappear. This is bullshit. It is like saying that if you stand on your head, you will not be able to poop or pee. There are many causes of back pain and not all are due to compression of the nerve or prolapsed disc. So hanging upside down will not do you any good.

 If you do not believe me, go to a gym and try out an inversion table.  These devices are extremely uncomfortable, prohibitively expensive, take up space and do jackshit for your back. Most likely, the table will end up in your garage.