Exercise In Therapeutics

In walking or riding, or even in some of the ordinary occupations of life, it is true that a person takes a certain amount of exercise, but there is no method in such movements. It is easy to determine how much is to be done and how long it may be continued, but it will be a very difficult matter to estimate the amount of vital force necessary to carry these exercises into execution. For instance, in walking, the strength of the motion depends not only upon the time and speed used, but also upon the weight of the body, supported by the lower extremities. In many cases the strength and tone of the muscles of the leg are not in proportion to the weight of the body. This condition is exemplified in most of the calisthenic exercises. When a person is practising calisthenics, the strength of the exercise depends upon the constitution and upon the weight and the natural activity of the body, which are not necessarily in proportion to the individual's strength.

For instance in jumping: to a person weighing one hundred pounds the exercise may be only light and agreeable, whereas to another, weighing two hundred pounds, the weight of whose body is out of proportion to the muscular strength, the same exercise might prove positively injurious. Not being able to estimate the vital force used in the common exercises practised under the head of calisthenics, or in the different sports or games, they should not be classified under the name of Medical or Remedial Gymnastics. In the latter case it is necessary to be able to estimate the amount of force required in every movement, and apply it according to the strength of each individual.

The difference between the Movement Treatment and the common exercise does not consist only in the quantitative estimate of the movements. In the exhilarating exercise of riding the motion is general, acting upon the entire body, no part being excepted. On the other hand, in walking or dancing the muscles of the legs are used almost exclusively, those of the arms not being brought into action at all. The dancing-master has well-developed muscles in his legs, whereas, unless he resorts to some special exercise for his arms, their muscles will not be in proportion to those of the legs. Persons of sedentary habits, especially dress-makers and clerks, who have but little exercise of any kind, are sure to have an ill-developed muscular system. Unless such persons take exercise systematically, they are liable to injure themselves severely. Persons who try to excel in any one kind of athletics run great risks of exceeding their strength.

Thus we see it is impossible to estimate the benefit of calisthenics, which can easily be done with the Swedish movements. Finally, in the movement treatment, all movements are arranged in such a way and in such a form as to be comfortable and adapted to all parts of the body. Based upon a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the parts, and of their proper physiologic limits, this treatment is much superior to any other, as well as more agreeable. All joints have a natural motion within certain fixed limits. When such joints are gently exercised, an agreeable sensation is produced ; but if the exercise be too violent, - flexing, extending, or rotating to excess, - severe pains will probably result. The same may be said of the muscular system. Each muscle having a distinct and certain function to perform, proper exercise of these muscles, if confined to physiologic limits, will be invigorating and agreeable to the patient.

In giving the Swedish movements special attention is directed to the natural functions of joints and muscles. This is not the case with any other kind of exercise, consequently the sensation and value of promiscuous movements can never be the same. When movements are necessary over painful parts of the body, the patient must sometimes judge how much he can bear. An operator who is not able to explain the physiologic action of every manipulation or movement he uses is liable to do more harm than good to the patients. The Swedish movement treatment can better adapt itself to all conditions than any other treatment. Finally, the aim of the Swedish treatment is, by a careful manipulation of muscles and joints, to restore to good health such as are in any way diseased. The force of such manipulations can be estimated and the extent of their duration fixed.