Inversion or the act of hanging upside down or putting your head below your heart to improve and maintain health is an activity that has been practiced for centuries. It its intended to use gravity to relieve pressure on the body's joints and organs. Though the use of an inversion table is the most popular form of inversion, inverted yoga poses can have similar effects.
Aids Lower Back Pain
Inversion therapy can help relieve lower back pain, according to the "Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association." In fact, a study published in this journal showed that 88 percent of those treated with inversion therapy saw an improvement in their symptoms of lower back conditions like herniated discs, sciatica and osteoarthritis. The thinking behind this is that reversing the gravitational force on your back will relieve pressure on your spine and relieve pain.
Improved Flexibility
Using inversion therapy can also improve the flexibility in your back and trunk, says the "Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association." In fact, regular treatments can help you bend forward farther, improving your quality of life dramatically. In effect, those who could not reach their feet to tie their shoes before the study could do so after treatment, according to the study.
Pressure Problems
Inversion is not without its drawbacks, however. In fact, the act of hanging upside down can cause pressure problems in the eyes. If you have retinal detachment or other eye issues, the dramatic increase in eye pressure caused by inversion could worsen your condition.
Unsuitable for Some
Some people just can't perform inversion at all, which is a real drawback to this form of therapy. Those who have experienced injuries to the spine or head should not practice inversion. Likewise, those who have severe back problems; have had back surgery in the recent past; or have bone density issues, hiatal hernia or high blood pressure should not invert as it could worsen those health conditions.
References
- The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association: Inversion Therapy: A Study of Physiological Effects
- Back & Body Solutions: Benefits of Inversion Therapy
- MayoClinic.com: Inversion Therapy: Can it Relieve Back Pain?
- Energy Center: Inversion Therapy: A Natural Approach to Correcting Back Pain Problems
