Book excerpt: Inversion therapy is a way of decompressing the spine. The discs between the bones of the spine are quite soft & gravity compresses them over time. It's one of the reasons we lose height as we age. The discs get smaller & can leak, irritating surrounding nerves. Decompressing your spine by lying or hanging upside down allows the discs to expand. It also reduces nerve pressure & 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 & ropes to relieve pressure on their spines. We are more fortunate today, we don't have to get tangled up in ropes & ladders! We can buy, make, or improvise inversion equipment. It's well worth doing, as inversion has many benefits, not just spinal decompression. It can: Relieve back pain & sciatica - & chiropractic bills! Prevent loss of height Reduce the signs & symptoms of aging (including wrinkles) Improve posture Help insomnia Improve digestion & elimination Improve hormonal balance Improve menstruation & menopause symptoms Improve mood Brighten the complexion Increase hair growth and more. Inverting is unusual in that it is relaxing yet invigorating. Inverting in the mornings is a great way to start your day; inverting before bed is very relaxing & can help sleep (especially when done as part of a regular bedtime routine). Contraindications: While the benefits of inversion therapy are many, there are people who are unable to invert due to certain health conditions. The main ones are CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, & GLAUCOMA. That's because inversion temporarily raises blood pressure. PREGNANCY is another condition that 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 your physician knows could be made worse by inverting. This little but immensely useful book explains how inversion therapy works, why it works, and how to get started. You'll discover the different types of inversion equipment, including approximate prices & the advantages & disadvantages of each. By regularly inverting, you could make a massive difference to your health and appearance. 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 you don't slip off it when relaxing!).