Inversion Therapy

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Inversion therapy involves hanging upside down or at an inverted angle to use gravity to naturally decompress the joints of the body. In particular, it is often advertised as a relief for back pain.^[1][2] It, however, is rarely regarded as a serious treatment for back pain.^[3]

Hanging in this way, as with gravity boots or inversion tables, causes each joint in the body to be loaded in an equal and opposite manner to standing.

Proponents claim that inversion therapy is particularly beneficial for the spine in that it relieves pressure on the discs and nerve roots; this in turn allows discs to recover lost moisture and to return to their original shape, decreasing the pressure they can exert on nerves.

Advertisements also claim that it stimulates circulation, improves posture, strengthens ligaments, increases oxygen flow to the brain and increases flexibility.

People who have heart disease, high blood pressure, eye diseases (such as glaucoma), or are pregnant should not try inversion therapy. The first time anyone tries inversion therapy, they should make sure there's someone around in case they need help.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Suspension cuffs
• Gravity boots

[edit] References

1. ^ History of Inversion.
2. ^ Benefits of Inversion.
3. ^ ^{a b} University of California Berkeley expert cautioning against inversion therapy.