(BlackFitness101.com) Inversion therapy isn’t something new. People have been doing inversion exercises for a long time. If you don’t know, this therapy involves hanging upside down, so you either take the support of the wall or you can use an inversion therapy table for the same. Read on to learn about inversion therapy exercise, benefits and how you can do it in the right way.
Inversion therapy exercise & the best ways to do it
Inversion therapy exercises can be done with and without equipment. If you are not using any equipment, there’s an ages old technique that people use. Shirshasana, a yoga position can help you achieve the same goal but it is challenging and you should do it with proper guidance and assistance. This position can be achieved by balancing your body on the head. It’s a very difficult asana, so in the beginning, take the support of the wall so that you don’t injure your back or neck.
People who have high blood pressure, heart diseases, or are pregnant should avoid doing any of the inversion therapy exercises because it’s dangerous. That said, Shirshasana is good only if you stay in that position for a short period of time. Some people might argue that this asana can be done for a long time. It’s true that some people do it for more than 30 minutes, but this can be dangerous. In that position, your body weight puts pressure on your skull and small nerves in your brain can get badly affected. So, do it safely.
If you are not ready for Shirshasana, the inversion table exercises can be helpful and easy to do. There are many products (inversion therapy tables) available in the market which you can buy. If you’re using a table, you may still need assistance. It’s better to have someone standing near you so that in case if you lose control of your balance, someone can help you and keep you safe.
Inversion therapy chairs can also help you. You can sit on the chair and move your body slowly to bring it in the upside down position. Remember that these exercises must be performed on tables and chairs that are specifically designed for inversion therapy. Using any regular table or chair is dangerous.
You can also try handstand and plow pose (halasana) to strengthen your neck and shoulders. This particular asana can help you learn to balance your body on your shoulders and neck with the support of your head.
Inversion therapy benefits and risks
The benefits of inversion therapy are limited to the upper body areas. Inversion therapy can help you by reducing back pain and the spinal health benefits are very good. When you keep yourself in the upside down position for some time, your spine actually gets the right treatment it needs. The blood flow increases and most importantly, your spine starts creating more fluid while removing waste.
Inversion therapy benefits are not just limited to the neck and spine, the exercises can help your body in many other ways. Some people have observed reduced inflammation after regular exercises. People who rarely do intense physical activities often face cervical pain. Inversion therapy can help a lot in such conditions.
Risks and side effects of inversion therapy exercises include joint disorders, high blood pressure, stroke, and injuries. During inversion exercises, the blood pressure rises and heart rate decreases. If you have medical conditions like glaucoma, bone disorders, or any heart-related problems, inversion therapy can be risky and dangerous.
Check with your doctor before you start any of the exercises mentioned above and if you have certain conditions, try to avoid this 180-degree movement of your body. If you are completely fit and are ready to do the exercises, start small and take time to adjust.
Staff Writer; Nina Brown
Questions? Feel free to email me at; NinaB@BlackFitness101.com.