Neuralgia. Progressive Muscular Atrophy. Writers' Cramp.
NEURALGIA.
Diseases of the peripheric nerves are more successfully treated by
mechanotherapy than are affections of the central nerve-system. Most neuralgias yield
readily to massage, and in cases of sciatica it has been used with most excellent results.
For the latter disease, if the right leg is affected, use:
1. Stroking of right leg
(from behind).
2. Percussion and beating over the nerve.
3. Flexion and extension of
right leg.
4. Raising of leg.
5. Beating of sacrum and right leg.
Some of the
manipulations must be repeated in the series five or six times. In raising the leg, place
it, if necessary, on the shoulder, and, bending up and down, extend the sciatic nerve as
much as possible. Rheumatic neuralgia in other nerves, as in the trigetninus, so often
found in anemic women, is often relieved by massage in a few treatments.
Use freely punctation over superficial nerves, and firm kneading and stroking with the
thumbs. If the nerve is very tender, begin with a slight introductory stroking with the
thumb. In some cases it may be advisable to use massage of the head, as described in Local
Massage. Massage of the neck (Hoeffinger's method) is an excellent remedy for many forms
of neuralgia of the head and face.
PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR ATROPHY.
Use massage in the neighborhood of the affected
muscles and upon them, and such movements as are calculated to increase circulation
through the diseased parts. Suppose a case of atrophy in the deltoid and supraspinatus;
the following treatment should be used:
1. Massage of the arm from the fingers up to
the trapezius.
2. Rotation of the hand.
3. Flexion and extension of the arm.
4.
Rotation of the shoulder.
5. Firm hacking or clapping upon the whole arm, and
especially around the shoulder.
6. Vibrations.
WRITERS' CRAMP.
Use massage from the tips of the fingers to the shoulder.
Rotation, turning, flexion, and extension of the hand and arm may be used as the patient
grows stronger, but massage is the principal part of the treatment.The operator must be
careful not to overtax his patient's strength. In beginning only treat the hand and
forearm from ten to fifteen minutes.
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