Inverting the Head (Head Upside Down)
VERY therapeutic for all of our brains!
Sensory Benefits of Inverting the Head
- Regulating and organizing for the nervous system
- Calming or alerting depending on the state of regulation
- A unique vestibular experience and powerful dose of input
- Joint traction or compression on the spine
- Known to stop hiccups
- Can help a child recover from fight or flight or a sensory meltdown
- Can help a child avoid fight or flight or a sensory meltdown
- Supports attention to task, focus, and concentration
Ideas to Invert the Head!
- Backwards over a therapy ball or large hippity hop ball laying on back or stomach
- Hang over the edge of a bed or couch
- On your lap, have the child gently flop backwards over your knees
- Hang upside down on a playground bar or any sturdy bar
- Head stands and hand stands
- Hang over the edge of a hammock or cuddle swing
- Lay in a stationary position on a slide head first
- Simply hold the child upside down (as pictured above)
Inverting the head is best done in small doses throughout the day. Be cautious though if this is the first time for your child...as some are resistant to this initially, especially if vestibular defensiveness is present. Also when returning the child to upright...do this very slowly and have the child tuck their chin for a moment when back in the upright position. If the child is unable to do this independently, you can gently assist this tucked position.