I recently got an inversion table. A Teeter Hangup, I think Uny mentioned them. Keep an eye on craigslist regularly and you can find barely used tables for half price or less.
I'd been wanting one for a few years but wasn't ready to pay $300-$500 for one. Then I got some sciatic pain one day and knew I shouldn't wait. I found one on craigslist for $175. I'd even seen one for $100 but someone else got that one.
Using it for a few minutes 2-3 times a day for the past month has helped me a lot and I have no more sciatic pain, so far, and my lower back is so much better, looser. I can hop right out of bed instead of being stooped and slow moving.
The trick is to keep using it once you are feeling better. I tend to 'forget' to do some of these 'good for me' things after the crisis has passed...