Book excerpt: DO YOU NEED TO EASE PAIN & DE-STRESS YOUR BODY? Inversion therapy is an ancient way of decompressing and reducing stress on the spine - a natural method of pain management and prevention. The discs between the bones of the spine are quite soft and gravity naturally compresses them over the years. It’s one of the reasons we often lose height as we age. The discs get smaller and more compressed over time - they can even leak and irritate surrounding nerves. Decompressing your spine by lying or hanging upside down allows the discs to expand. It also reduces nerve pressure and allows the spine to realign. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, is known to have invented a form of inversion around 400 BC for his patients by using a system of ladders and ropes to relieve pressure on their spines. Inversion can relieve back pain and sciatica and brings numerous other benefits as well, including: p” Preventing loss of height p” Anti-aging p” Reducing stress p” Improving posture p” Help insomnia p” Improved digestion and elimination p” Improved hormones p” Better menstruation/menopause p” Better mood p” Brighter complexion p” Increased hair growth and many more. This book explains why it works, how it works, and how to get started. You’ll discover the different types of inversion equipment, including approximate prices and the advantages & disadvantages of each. By regularly inverting, you could make a massive difference to your health. The cost is minimal compared to the benefits. Slant boards cost from just $50, or you could make your own following the guidance in this book. All you need is a long piece of plywood, some wood to make a frame for the plywood top, and a piece of carpet as a covering (essential so it isn't slippy!). Inverting is unusual in that it is relaxing yet invigorating. Inverting in the mornings is a great way to start your day and inverting before bed is very relaxing and can help sleep (especially when done as part of a regularly bedtime routine). Beauty Benefits The beauty benefits of inversion are one of its best-kept secrets. When we invert, we nourish our facial skin with fresh blood flow. That means extra nutrients and oxygen. Lymph flow is also increased, taking wastes away more efficiently. The result is skin that looks and feels years younger. It plumps up, brightens, and glows. Not to be overlooked is the effect on hair. Providing better blood flow to the head means that the hair is more nourished - resulting in stronger, glossy hair that grows more quickly than you can believe! Contraindications While the benefits of inversion therapy are many, sadly there are people who are unable to invert due to certain health conditions. The main ones are: p” Cardiovascular disease p” High blood pressure p” Glaucoma This is because inversion temporarily raises blood pressure - fine for most people but not those with blood pressure-related conditions. p” Pregnancy - check with your doctors. It may mean inversion is - temporarily - not a great idea. To be safe, it really is best to check with your physician before starting inversion - just in case you have an undiagnosed illness that would be contraindicated, or something that you physician knows could be made worse by inverting.