| Spinal decompression therapy is a means of | | | | you can try: Slant board - This device is used to |
| gently stretching out the spine to create a | | | | reduce stress and fatigue by temporarily |
| vacuum of space in order to restore the flow of | | | | removing the pressure of gravity on the body. |
| oxygen and nutrients to the discs in the spine. | | | | Holding your body in a position where your feet |
| This can be accomplished through several means | | | | are above your heart increases circulation. |
| including a high-tech machine based on traditional | | | | Reclining on the slant board also helps you to |
| traction tables, but with technology gained from | | | | strengthen and firm your muscles. Zero-gravity |
| NASA, when they discovered that astronauts' | | | | reclining chairs reduce the pressure of gravity on |
| damaged discs were regenerated in the | | | | the spine, relieve muscle tension in the back and |
| zero-gravity environment of space travel. | | | | can increase circulation. Some of these chairs |
| Compression of the spinal cord occurs in several | | | | feature a motorized massage with adjustable |
| ways including the general wear and tear of daily | | | | footrests, headrests and cervical lumbar pillows. |
| living, poor posture, injury or degenerating discs. | | | | Yoga poses such as 'Downward Facing Dog,' |
| Healthy inter-vertebral discs are squishy and | | | | where the hands and feet are on the floor with |
| supple like a sponge. They provide a cushion | | | | the tailbone raised towards the ceiling, and the |
| between the vertebrae making movement of the | | | | bridge pose, which strengthens the spine, and |
| spine more fluid. When compression occurs, these | | | | improves the spine's flexibility. The 'legs up the |
| once-supple discs become brittle and fragile. As | | | | wall' pose is a gentle, restorative pose that gently |
| the vertebrae press down on the discs, they get | | | | relieves back pain while calming the mind. Use a |
| cut off from the oxygen and nutrient supply that | | | | bolster or folded blankets under your lower back. |
| keeps them healthy and they begin to | | | | Contraindications for Decompression - If you are |
| degenerate. Decompression serves to open up a | | | | pregnant, have heart disease, or high blood |
| space between the vertebrae, creating a vacuum | | | | pressure, any eye diseases or an ear infection, |
| and allowing oxygen and nutrients to return so | | | | you should not try these inversion exercises until |
| that the disc can heal itself. Those high-tech | | | | you have consulted with your doctor. Holding |
| machines are not the only effective method for | | | | yourself upside down can be beneficial for some, |
| opening up these spaces in the spine. There are | | | | but holding the body upside down with the feet |
| exercises that you can do at home to gently | | | | above the heart for an extended period of time |
| decompress your spine while also strengthening | | | | causes the blood to pool in your head and lungs. |
| the core muscles, ligaments and tendons that | | | | The goal of decompression is to gently create a |
| support your core to prevent back strain, | | | | healthy traction for the spine, which can relieve |
| improve posture and relieve back pain. Here are a | | | | pain and begin the healing process. |
| few examples of decompression exercises that | | | | |