The Magic of Inversion
By Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L
Inversion, the reversal of position or for the purpose of this blog, changing our head into an upside-down position. It is one of the strongest forms of vestibular input, which many individuals can benefit from.
The vestibular system, centered in the inner ear, involves our ability to balance. Fluid within the small organs of the ear shift when we move our heads, thus providing our central nervous system information about the position of our bodies in space (spatial awareness). Therefore, any movement, big or small, can activate this sensory system.
Not only are we receiving intense vestibular information when we are inverted, but we are also seeing benefits in our body! Inversion improves our bodies circulation by providing our brain with increased blood flow which means more oxygen to the brain. To sustain our body in an inversion we are increasing our core strength, improving our balance and building confidence to maintain that position, but lastly also providing ourselves with a new perspective, which is also providing new sensory rich information to our other sensory systems including our visual system (which our visual and vestibular systems are so closely linked). Many individuals will get an intense amount of vestibular stimuli from looking down over a high ledge (staircases, piers, balconies, etc.) due to this close link of the visual and vestibular systems.
Many individuals can benefit from vestibular input, specifically inversion so here are a few activities in order to activate that in a variety of naturalistic settings:
Animal walks for children such as bear walking is a great play based way to offer inversion!
Yoga poses include but are not limited to: cat/cow, downward dog, wheel pose, fish pose, and forward folds
Using a play-structure/playground to hang upside down like a monkey or climbing the monkey bars (as most individuals tilt their head backwards to do this thus inverting the head). Or even practice this over a couch at home or on adults lap while being held in an adult’s arms.
Somersaults or head/hand stands or cartwheels
Upside bowing (a fan favorite!)
Back to back under the legs and overhead passing games
Swimming (all positional changes including floating, backstroke, and diving for dive toys)