A to Z of Therapies
Inversion Therapy
January 26th, 2008
Inversion therapy has been used to relieve back pain as early as 400 BC when Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, strung up a patient with ropes and pulleys and allowed gravity to do its job.
Inversion helps your body recover from the compressive effects of gravity and daily activities. The principle is that hanging vertically elongates the spine, increases space between the vertebrae and reduces pressure on the disks, which in turn releases pressure on trapped nerves. The process is also said to quicken the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, which clears bodily wastes. A similar technique is used in yoga.
Many doctors, physical therapists and sports trainers recognize inversion as a safe and effective form of therapy for back pain.
It is advised to begin slowly. Invert only 15 to 20 degrees at first, and stay inverted only as long as it feels comfortable, which may only be a few seconds at first. Surprisingly, you can gain all the benefits of inversion without ever fully inverting yourself. Most people find 20 to 60 degrees of decline adequate and very comfortable.
Before using any inversion therapy product, it is recommended that you consult your health provider. Inversion may not be indicated for the obese, pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart problems, the elderly or persons with a history of headaches, or certain types of serious eye or back problems. Also children should never use inversion equipment unsupervised.
A to Z of Therapies
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