Tom Jones Reveals Unusual Health Hack That Saw Him Hanging Upside Down to Ease Hip Pain

Sir Tom Jones has tried an unusual method to manage the pain caused by his hip problems, revealing that he sometimes hung upside down to relieve pressure on his joints. The legendary singer, now 86, turned to inversion therapy while dealing with the discomfort that eventually led to two hip replacement operations.

Jones, who is appearing in his final season as a judge on The Voice after 14 years associated with the singing competition, underwent surgery on his left hip in 2017 and his right hip in 2022.

Before his second operation, the Sexbomb singer spoke openly about using an inversion table, a device that secures a person by the ankles and tilts them upside down. The technique is sometimes used in attempts to relieve back discomfort and pressure, although its benefits vary and it is not suitable for everyone.

In a previous interview with The Sun, Jones described how he used the equipment.

“I hang upside down. You know on one of those frames… You put your feet in the thing and you flip and you hang,” he explained.

The singer reportedly even kept one of the devices backstage so he could use it to ease the strain on his joints.

Tom Jones Opens Up About His Hip Problems

Jones has been candid about how his hip pain affected his ability to perform before his second replacement.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he explained that standing for extended periods had become increasingly difficult. During performances, he would sing four songs before sitting down to take the weight off his affected leg.

“I do four songs, sit down, and say, look, normally I would get up after this, but tonight just on the stool just to take the weight off this leg,” he said.

He discovered that sitting down actually made singing easier than remaining on his feet throughout a show.

At the time, Jones said he was not taking painkillers or following a special diet while waiting for surgery. Instead, he was trying to manage the discomfort until he could have the procedure.

“I was just biding my time until I can get in there to get a new hip,” he explained.

Following his right hip replacement in 2022, the singer reassured fans that the operation had gone well and that he was following medical advice during his recovery.

“Papa has two new hips now!” he wrote in a social media post.

“For all those concerned and sent in well wishes, I am pleased to report my recent surgery went very well, I’m following orders and doing my physio, so happy to say I will be back soon!”

The Weight Gain That Prompted a Lifestyle Change

Jones also previously discussed how his health challenges affected his weight.

In 2017, before undergoing his left hip replacement, he revealed that he had been struggling with a persistent dull ache in the joint.

Around the same period, he spoke on BBC Radio 2 about losing weight after adopting a paleo diet, which focused on foods such as lean meat, fish, vegetables and nuts.

The singer admitted that his weight had gradually increased while he was less active.

“I was putting too much weight on. I didn’t think I was going to and I left the working out for a bit, thought I’d keep a check on it,” he said.

However, holiday treats soon took their toll.

“But with the Christmas puddings and cakes, before I knew it I was 230lb (16.4 stone) which was 30lb more than I should be. I couldn’t get into my suits. That’s when I thought: ‘This has got to stop’.”

The experience prompted him to make changes to his eating habits and work towards losing the extra weight.

Why Tom Jones Is Still Performing at 86

Despite his hip operations and other health challenges, Jones has continued to take pride in his singing voice.

In an earlier interview with The Mirror, he expressed gratitude that his voice had remained strong, even as he grew older.

“Well, thank God my voice is still working. I am 83 years old. I mean I can’t believe it, but it is true,” he said at the time.

He explained that singing continued to give him a reason to perform, even when the physical demands of touring became more challenging.

“When I am singing I am like, ‘How the hell is this coming out of me? Honestly. If the voice was not there I am sure I would be going, ‘Urgh, I don’t want to do so many shows,’ but I love it as the voice is still working!”

His comments reflected his determination to keep performing while he still enjoyed singing.

Tom Jones Says He Was ‘Fired’ From The Voice

Jones’s health journey comes as he prepares to leave The Voice, where he has served as an on-and-off coach since the show’s UK debut in 2012.

In September, the singer said ITV had effectively “fired” him, making clear that he had not wanted to leave a programme he continued to enjoy.

The departure followed speculation about whether he would return for the upcoming series. Jones said he had been offered a reduced role, an arrangement that did not appeal to him.

A spokesperson for The Voice UK confirmed that he would not return as a full-time coach for series 15, while leaving open the possibility of further involvement.

“We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK. While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series,” the spokesperson said.

Jones subsequently explained his understanding of the decision in a social media post. He said the initial reason given to him was financial difficulties relating to insurance, while later public comments described the changes as an effort to refresh the programme with a new coaching line-up.

“They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that,” he wrote.

He added: “So the only thing I know right now is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”

New Coaches and Presenters Join The Voice

Jones is not the only familiar face leaving the programme. Fellow coaches Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher are also departing, while presenter Emma Willis is leaving to host the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

ITV has announced several new additions to the show. Girls Aloud singer Cheryl and rapper Aitch will take their places in the coaching chairs, while Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon have been confirmed as the new presenting duo.

The 14th series of The Voice UK is currently airing, with Jones continuing in his judging role. Series 15 is expected to arrive in 2027.

Although his time as a full-time coach is coming to an end, Jones’s long association with the competition has been a significant part of his later career. Meanwhile, after years of managing hip pain and undergoing two replacements, the singer has continued to show his commitment to performing for audiences.