GYMNASTICS AND MASSAGE IN THE TREATMENT OF NERVOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Perhaps the greatest field for gymnastics and massage is in the domain of nervous diseases, because the problem here is generally one of nutrition and restoration of muscular function. Every specialist in these diseases should, in my opinion, have a practical training in these branches of mechanotherapy, because otherwise he cannot intelligently direct such treatment, and a considerable portion of it should be performed with his own hands. I shll not here discuss the technic further than to call attention to a few points and procedures. Nearly all patients with nervous disease suffer from digestive troubles, constipation and poor nutrition, and in abdominal massage which should be performed by the physician, or an experienced masseur or masseuse in exceptional instances, we have, to my mind, the most valuable single remedial agent for these conditions. ABDOMINAL AND GENERA MASSAGE Abdominal massage should be performed through a single covering; for instance, the