In this series we explore the amazing key benefits of the use of the Yoga Trapeze and its ability to be used in a remedial and therapeutic capacity, and how the inversion has magical benefits for your spine health.
The Spine Has More Movements Than Most People Think…
Think of the spine as the most magnificent piece of architecture in the human body. However, often it’s not until you injure your spine that you really take time to appreciate it’s importance to your overall movement!
Modern Life Has Caused Increased Spinal Compression
Unfortunately, in modern life ‘compression’ is the movement direction our spine has become most accustomed to. In the compressed state, all other movement directions are limited and increased stress is placed on our intervertebral discs and joints. With more and more extended periods of time in compressive postures, such as sitting, we are also impacting the constipation of our organs and creating dysfunctional breathing patterns.
When there is sufficient lumbar stabilisation present, applying decompressive exercises such as inversions using the Yoga Trapeze can be very effective in reducing the stress on the spinal structures and has been shown to alleviate lower back pain.
So What’s Happening To The Joints When We Decompress Through Inversions?
Under Traction Magical Things Happen To Our Discs In Our Vertebra
Have you ever wondered what is happening for your spinal joints when your upside-down? When we experience a full inversion or a ‘flexion-distraction’ technique in a semi-inversion, such as in front-belt, we are placing our spinal joints under traction. In this situation, the joint-space between our vertebra might increase resulting in the intervertebral disc height increasing as internal pressure is alleviated. This may decrease pain associated with compression as irritation to the pain-sensitive fibres around the annulus fibrosus, and the force of gravity on the nucleus pulposus at the centre of the disc is reduced. We might also experience a relaxation of contraction in musculoskeletal tissues allowing for optimal biomechanical function in spinal mobility. If you have an existing disc pathology please check with your health professional if traction in inversion is a safe practice for your condition before attempting these exercises.
Angela Kuang
Massage Therapist
