Hanging upside down isn't just for children playing on climbing frames or acrobats in the circus - it can also be good for your health.

Known as inversion therapy, it can help back problems, posture and your brain.

There are two types of this therapy. Some practitioners use their own body to support the client, others use specially-designed tables.

Therapist John Rawlings of the Natural Medicine Practice, Norton Road, Hove, uses one of these tables to allow his patients to experience the health benefits of hanging upside down.

You begin in an upright position on the table, with your feet held firmly in place by ankle pads. You then use two bars either side to gentle tilt yourself back.

You can control how far back you go and a safety strap can be put in place to stop you going any further than you intend.

As you progress, you can drop back to the full inversion with the ankle pads safely holding you.

You can start by staying in that position for ten to 15 minutes and aim to progress to hanging upside down for 30 minutes.

John, who trained in Thai yoga massage and is experienced in body work, says people with injuries and discomfort in the back area can get relief by using inversion therapy.

He says: "Aches and pains can be relieved and in many cases can be permanently cured.

"It allows the spine to find greater alignment and in that way it can improve postural habits.

"The hair in the scalp can benefit from better blood flow and also the brain function can benefit too."

The improved circulation and flow of oxygenated blood to the brain may also help relieve stress and depression.

Inversion therapy dates back to 400BC and ancient Greece but it could have started even earlier.

It has the same benefits as the yoga head stand.

Not everyone can manage to do that posture because of the pressure on the neck area so inversion therapy allows people to get these benefits safely.

Martial arts practitioners have also been know to use these techniques to free the spine and recover from injuries.

John says: "The advantage of inversion therapy is you don't go any further than what is comfortable and what is safe."

Inversion therapy can be practiced as often as daily or weekly and John suggests a good start would be one or two sessions a week for a month.

Ann Gold, 42, of Gardner Street, Brighton, has been doing inversion therapy for a year to benefit her yoga practice.

She says: "I realised I needed some space in my skeleton to get into the postures a little bit further.

"I have taken on inversion therapy and I have found it to be immensely helpful. When you hang upside down, your whole body loosens up.

"When I get up I feel at last two inches taller - you feel straight and tall.

"I enjoy it very much. It is an amazing experience."

However, it may not be suitable for everyone and John recommends you should seek advice before undergoing inversion therapy.

It should also be used in conjunction with other treatments.

John says: "I recommend it as part of a holistic approach but not necessarily the only one."

For more information, call John Rawlings at The Natural Medicine Practice, Norton Road, Hove, 01273 778990 or 07753 48009, or visit www.thenaturalmedicinepractice.com