Spinal Make-up

The spine consists of a column of 33 segments (vertebrae). The upper 24 segments are divided up into three groups and are numbered thus:

Each segment of the 24 vertebrae is separated by a flat intervertebral disc. The discs have a tough outer part with a soft centre (the nucleus).

The discs act as shock absorbers to the spine. A pair of long ligaments with a number of short ligaments keep the spine in place. Exterior and flexor muscles act on the spine to make it function.

The segments of the spine (or vertebrae) encase the spinal cord which carries the nerves from the brain to the various parts of the body. The branches of the nerves from the spinal column pass to the body unrestricted between the individual segments. In a healthy well postured spine there is no pressure on the nerves which can cause pain.

Pressure on the nerves can be caused by muscular imbalance, thinning or damage to the intervertebral discs, bad posture or just overloading the spinal system.

Gravity is a constant force which puts a load on the spine whether standing, sitting or even lying down. During the course of the day, the pressure due to gravity causes the intervertebral discs to reduce in thickness allowing the segments of the spine to be positioned closer together. Adding this to bad posture, the back system is more vulnerable to damage.

Muscular imbalance added to the force of gravity puts further pressure on the spine in an unbalanced way. This creates spinal misalignment which often results in pain and improper functioning of the spine.

Body Inversion

By inverting your body (hanging upside down) and using gravity to reverse its adverse effects, the space between the intervertebral segments will increase reducing the pressure on the discs and aligning the muscular system.

Inversion is achieved by easily suspending the upper body in an inverted position when the natural weight of the upper body will stretch the muscles, evenly taking the compressive load off the intervertebral discs and naturally tending to stretch and align the spinal system.

Advantages to be gained from inversion exercising

• Using gravity to stretch instead of compressing the spine.
• Helping to correct muscular imbalance. 
• Increased blood flow to the head resulting in greater oxygen supply essential for the efficient performance of the brain.
• Increased drainage of the lymphatic system. This helps mobilise toxic products allowing the body's cleaning system to operate more efficiently.
• Reduction of pressure on the intervertebral discs facilitates healing of damaged tissue.
• Increased mobility.
• The beneficial effect of inversion on the glandular system claimed by Yogis can be more easily obtained without the adverse compressive forces of standing on your head.
• Health and beauty depend upon the flexibility of your spine. If it is flexible and aligned, results scan be felt and seen throughout your whole body.