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New Jersey Hypnotist James Malone |
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Inversion Therapy
The not-so-funny thing about aches and pains is that they can seem to become normal for you. I know this was the case for
me. Arriving in my mid-40s after years of various athletic endeavors, stiffness in my mid and upper back became a constant
companion. And this was especially not a good thing since I have young children. Carrying a squirming 30 pound toddler for any length of time had an uncanny knack of putting my back into knots. As a clinical hypnotist, I know that mental stress often leads to physical distress which can become chronic and can even lead to tangible disease state. Yet the inverse is also true, chronic physical discomfort can lead to a less than chipper mental state. Not exactly conducive to leading a happy and productive life (or enjoying the charms of a squirming 30 pound toddler for that matter!) So you need to take care of the "total package." My gut doesnt tolerate anti-inflammatory drugs very well and I have never been a big fan of the idea of just masking symptoms for some temporary relief. Everything I ever read regarding holistic medicine stated that in the long run there was always a worse price to pay for doing that. I mean the occasional Advil might be OK, but it really didnt seem to provide a viable long-term solution. So I explored several natural methods of relieving physical tension. Various stretching and strengthening routines provided considerable benefit. So did alternating hot and cold applications to the affected areas. I also used some of my expertise with mind/body techniques to advantage. Massage therapy is absolutely heavenly stuff however it can become costly over time and a qualified practitioner is not always at your beck and call. The relatively poor blood supply to the spinal discs means they usually don't heal rapidly since they lack an ample supply of nutrients and also waste products can build up over time. In addition, using the force of gravity to stretch the body helped to align it evenly. Most of us tend to be a bit lopsided because of behaviors like driving, sitting at a desk, repetitive tasks, etc. A good even downward pull can help with that. In addition to relieving muscular tension, inversion therapy has other potential benefits too. It increases circulation throughout the body and especially the brain. I know I feel mentally sharper after a session. Inversion can also help with sinus trouble by promoting drainage. Your nose may feel a bit stuffy while inverting but then it seems to clear better afterwards. Some advocates believe that the overall stretch that the body receives during inversion is good for the functioning of the internal organs too. Now one thing I was concerned with is that I am not exactly the gymnast type and wasn't sure I would like having my world turned upside down so to speak. I was relieved to find out that especially in the beginning, spending a few minutes at an angle slightly deeper than horizontal was more than adequate. Over time you can increase the angle and duration as you adjust and become more comfortable. You go at your own pace. There are a number of inversion tables on the market and at a fairly wide range of prices from very modest to quite expensive. After doing some comparison shopping one fact steered me to the Teeter brand of table-their Underwriter's Laboratory Rating (UL). Now you are probably familiar with the UL rating on electronic gear. It basically means that it has been thoroughly tested and will not short out and burn your house down. Well UL test other stuff too and Teeter is the only inversion table on the market that has their seal of approval. Also, Teeter has a good reputation for treating the customers the way that they want to be treated. Teeter makes it clear in their literature, but it is worth repeating here. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions be sure to check with your doctor before getting your Teeter Inversion Table to make sure it is appropriate in your case. This is especially important if you have hypertension or eye problems due to the temporary increase in pressure that happens when you invert. When your Teeter arrives, avoid the temptation to dive right into things. Take your time to read all the instructions first. It is fairly easy to assemble, although you might wish to have a helper around as having the second pair of hands around makes things go smoother. Start Slowly- more is not necessarily better, especially in the beginning. Start at a gentle angle and gradually increase the angle and duration otherwise you may cramp yourself up. You may also wish to have a spotter the first times out until you feel confident. Wear the Right Footgear- to minimize stress on the front of the foot where it comes into contact with the foot support. You can also upgrade to padded foot supports but I found wearing the right sneakers works just fine. Regular Practice is Best- set aside 5-10 minutes a day to invert. It is a worthwhile investment in your health and wellbeing. What I noticed within a few days was that my back and trunk area felt much looser and freer. Indeed, I don't think I was really aware of how much muscle tension I was walking around with. Also, as mentioned previously I feel an added mental clarity after inverting too. The relief of physical tension also promotes a much more positive mood which makes dealing with a squirming toddler or anything else that life sends my way a whole lot easier! |
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