Jun, 2021

I have a belief that handstands have a role is developing the Core and aiding spinal mechanics. However, Im sure this has not been studied in any depth. The aim of this review is simply to collect enough evidence from easily accessible sources to justify experimenting with my clients.
Whilst Im not sure about many of her recommendations, it was interesting to note that Sarah Key recommends the handstand for her scoliosis patients.
“the best specific strengthening exercise is handstands….. being upside down it literally tricks both sides of the para-spinal muscles into working equally hard in keeping you upright and balanced”
According to site that sells inversion tables, “In mild cases of Scoliosis, research and clinical studies have shown that inversion tables and regular exercise can have a positive effect on treating the physical defect. Unfortunately, inversion therapy has not been shown to effectively treat Scoliosis in severe cases”
BTW, I’m not validating passively hanging upside down. The benefit of a handstand is that your body needs to be the tightest its ever been.
The “Mindbodygreen” blog by Heidi Kristoffer discusses that handstands can heal, but to avoid headstands! I must admit, I’ve never been a headstand fan!
Whilst this is far from anything resembling science, hanging people upside down , making them handstand, seems not to kill people, so it may be worth experimenting with, as long as a proper posture ( neutral spine) is maintained. .
I’m assuming that I’ll develop the handstand from a good plank position, then walk it slowly up the wall!
I should say, I think that handstands will help IF people have adequate shoulder flexibility: hanging in an awful arch could do harm
Im always promising my back pain clients that I’ll publish guidance notes, especially about the exercises you should do at home.
Here are the Big THREE.: Curl-up, side bridge and the bird dog. Aim for endurance.
AndrewStemlerBackaholicNotes.Big3
Its really worth while buying the McGillBooks
Low Back Disorders
One of the biggest confusions in “back pain” is the role of abdominal muscles.
For years hard working doctors and researchers have attempted to assess the role and value and ideal type of abdominal engagement and training methodology. At the same time fraudsters and charlatans have always sought to promote and mystify the actions of an obscure muscle
There are 3 things you can do with your abs if you are standing up in a neutral position ( we need to talk about this concept too!)
1) You can suck them in
2) You can “tighten” them where they are
3) You can “bear out”
Ill discuss these ideas in painful depth else where.