The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-02-21
MEDICAL
GYMNASTICS
lsy Gustav siorkman.l

as old as humanity itself Far back
i'm the dawn of civilization we find
that the Egyptian priests used certain
forms of manipulation, such as knead-
ing and friction, for rheumatic pains,
ncuralgias and swellings.
The Hindoos had some knowledge
Of the healing influences Of certain
forms of motions upon the human
body, although since the priests we're
in reality the only physicians there
were among them, the masses were
mystined by them into believing that
these movements, used with incanta-
tfons and magical words, We're invent
/ ed by the Gods
The Persians used a few forms Of
movements for some diseases.
The Chinese maintained, as long
ago as three thousand years before
/ the Christian era, a system of gym
nastics to prevent the stagnation Of
fluids in the human body, and these
people had also fair idea Of the
specific healing qualities of these mo-
tons.
The Greeks were the first to de
wise some sort of system of move
ments.
! The philosophers of that ancient
and enlightened people recommended
manual treatment. Plato was the first
man to divide movements into active
and passive and he laid the greatest
stress upon the latter. IN fact, among
the Greeks there was a class OF peo-
pie who made Mechano-Therapy a
profession, and it must be said to the
honor of these parents of civiliza
ton" Cthe Greeks) that this profess
sion was highly honored and thorough
ly recognized. They were called
Paedo-Tribes.
The Romans. especially the uppe'
classes, also used a system of move
ments in the cure of chronic diseases
but this soon became among then
simply light form of calesthenics
Here in the Paradise of the Pacific was
"lomi-lomi,' kind of massage known
and used for different kinds of bodily
ailments long before the arrival o.
"Haoles."
As every student of history knows
the Middle Ages became the grave
of most of the former knowledge o
ancient times. Along with nearly al
/ other science and wisdom gained III
/ to that time, Mechano-Therapy sanl
} into that grave of oblivion ana wa
mostly forgotten This same fat
was shared by all medical knowledge
A partial resurrection of Manua
Treatment took place in the fifteent
J century, but it was not until the f.
nous Swede, Per Henrik Ling d77j
1880. systematized Gymnastics, tina
this wonderful curative agent wa
brought to the attention Of the ciIilil
ed world
Physiological Effects Of Movements
OF all the agents or means used t
influence she development OF vita
conditions essential to life and health
Movements are the most rational
This is, of course, only true whei
these movements are the result o
careful study of the laws of physics
mechanics, anatomy and physiology.
Movements are the agents adapted
to excite such actions by which tn
human machine performs it's function
by which it is developed, preserves
and repaired.
The effect of a movement ma!
either be general, acting upon tn
whole body, or it may be local, actini
upon a part only. We are therefor
able to give both a local and a cor
stitutional treatment.
Action of Movements on the Blood.
] All movements increase the circula
ton of the blood in the arteries, tn
cappillaries, or in the viens. A yer
lightly increased temperature, pulls
increased in strength and fullnes'
and a healthier color of the skin wi
always be noticed after treatmer
with movements.
. Any muscular contraction will e
3 feet a pressure on, or a compressor
a of the walls of the blood vessel situa
ed in the neighborhood of the muscl
so contracted. Now, it is a fact tina
contraction Of the blood vessels mean
increased flow of blood. When in tn
course Of a Acknowledgement
treatment certain groups of muscle
are alternately contracted and elonga
ed pulled) thereby producing a SUI
ton which hastens the blood-streal
towards the heart Now, when W
l consider that very large percentag
OF all disease is simply blood-stasi
II Cor stoppage) in certain parts of tn
body, we must begin to realize tn