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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Benefits of Inversion

I came home from teaching yoga last night and found my handsome husband waiting with a surprise for me... an inversion table! I've been aware of the benefits of inversion through inverted yoga poses for awhile, and have wanted to try an inversion table for quite some time.... Let me tell you, it feels *incredible!*
 
Inversion is definitely something to consider, especially given the many benefits:

Inversion relieves back pain with better posture and greater spinal mobility.
Inversion uses gravity to gently align, adjust, and give traction to the spine. This healthy traction decompresses the vertebrae, creating space for the discs while straightening and balancing the spinal column. Prime back care results are experienced when the supportive muscles of the spinal column are synergistically lengthened and strengthened from performing inversion and therapeutic movement.Inversion offers the easiest way to ease strains caused by compression and to lift the weight off the superimposed segments of the body.

Inversion boosts brain power.
Blood flow to the brain is increased, nourishing the brain cells with more oxygen and nutrients required for optimal brain function. Inverted poses commonly increase concentration, memory, awareness, and stimulate thought. Hanging upside-down increases blood flow to the brain, which in-turn increases the bioavailability of oxygen and glucose, the two most important metabolic substrates for the brain. Simultaneously, inversions alter the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and relieve compression of the bottom portion of the brain, which could also greatly help to improve overall brain function. Dr. Robert M Martin wrote that the brain operates 14% more accurately when the brain is operating on an inverted, inclined plane.

Inversion improves digestion and elimination.
The yogic approach to overcoming constipation is to perform inversions. When in the upright position, stool moving from the ileocecal valve through the ascending colon is moving against the force of gravity and may prove to be difficult. When inverted, it is moving with gravity. The pressing of the stool against the intestinal walls also encourages movement. When inverted, the pressure on the walls stimulates a stronger peristalsis.

Inversion promotes lymphatic drainage and blood purification.
This healthy detoxification is partly why a great feeling of rejuvenation is experienced when in inverted poses. Immunity is boosted with increased lymphatic cleansing and overall body function happens more efficiently and effectively. The lymphatic system clears toxins from the tissues and plays a vital role in the immune system. Inversions are recognized by yoga practitioners as important positions to keep lymph in circulation, thus reducing edema (swelling) conditions of the legs, relieving pressure in varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The lymphatic nodule system is imperative to immunity as it contains macrophage cells, which intercept and kill foreign bacteria, and lymphocytes, which manufacture antibodies in order to control foreign microorganisms. As inversions promote more rapid circulation of the lymph through the nodes, the rate of blood purification and detoxification increases, helping to revitalize and maintain youth and beauty.

Sources:
Mel Robin, Ph. D, A Physiological Handbook for teachers of Yogasana, Fenstra Books, Tuscon, AZ, 2002
Dr Robert M Martin, M.D., The Gravity Guidance System: Turning the Aging Process Upside Down, Gravity Guidance Inc., Pasadena, CA, 1982
Larry J. Nosse, “Inverted Spinal Traction,” Archives of Physical Medicine, Volume 59: 367-370, August 1978

Joanne Broatch, Better Back Better Body, STL International, Inc., Tacoma, WA, 1993

1 comment:

  1. How was your experience with the inversion table? What’s amazing about inversion therapy is that it lets gravity do the work for you. That means zero stress on your part while receiving tons of health benefits. That’s something I would take any day!

    Shaunna Schumacher

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