The exercise should be repeated four times daily for the first week, and gradually increased until a total of ten repetitions are done daily. The feet are kept flat, in place, and knees kept straight throughout the exercise. Dr. Golub cautions women not to start the exercises during a period of dysmenorrhea. He suggests that they be begun after a period, and then continued through subsequent periods. The exercise stimulates circulation, improves muscle tone, and improves flexibility.
Some women have relief with the next period, but most report relief only after several months.
A number of catabolic changes similar to those of aging occur in persons who are inactive. In the laboratory, exercise doubles the lifespan of male rats. Exercise benefits musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive, hematologic, and even psychological functioning. Cardiac patients who exercised regularly showed a lower death rate than those who did not exercise. Symptoms in a group of patients cleared when vitamin E was discontinued.