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HSIN-TEN HEALTH TALK 2© 1995, HTE USA THE AUTO REHABILITATION OF BONES AND JOINTS
DR. Wei-Penu Zhao

In last issue, we had discussed a new type of exercise aerobic exercise. The so called aerobic exercise is one kind of physical exercise without adding any burden to the body, yet promoting the joints, muscles, viscera and circulation of the whole body. This comes from bionics, mimicking the moving style of fish in water. The fishes in water always maintain a left and right swinging movement, and never feel tired. The reason is that the basic moving style of fishes in general does not consume too much energy. However, any physical exercise of human as a rule adds the burden to various organs, bones and joints, as well as consumes oxygen and energy. The fish movement gives people a clue to invent an in-all-direction swinging movement in a lying posture.

What are the benefits of such exercise to bones, joints and muscles? To begin with, let's talk about the etiology of diseases of bone, joints, and muscles. First of all, an improper labor or living posture may bring about injury or deformation of some bones, joints and muscles, injury of ligaments and muscles, resulting a series of symptoms. This might be the origin of lumbago, back aching, joint pain of a majority of people. Some people constantly sit or stand inclining to one side for a long time, they may develop lateral protrusion of spinal cord. In that case, the tension of muscle on the other side will induce the lumbago which is difficult to recover. Secondly, an abrupt torsion may damage ligament, and eventually stimulate the nerves of the damaged part. The muscles then produce self protective spasm. If not adequately treated, such pain will become chronic. Thirdly, when people get old, the lack of calcium and bony substance gradually result osteoporosis. Spinal column could not sustain the heavy burden and becomes flattened. In that case the nerves coming from spinal column are under pressure and give pain signal. Such situation if in the cervical region will bring about cervical vertebrae disease. In addition to pain in neck and limitation of movement, there appear paralysis and muscular dystrophy in that part controlled by the nerves of the upper limb. The main nerve of lower limb - sciatic nerve under pressure will develop sciatica.

All these pains make doctors and patients feel very annoyed, because all medications and physical therapy give only limited effect. Acupuncture and massage of acupuncture points have certain therapeutic effect, but one cannot take such treatment daily. Moreover, they may not necessarily remove the basic cause of the disease. However, since the application of aerobic exercise, a movement mimicking golden fish, if one practices such exercise daily, you may lie on your bed or floor, put your lower limb on the machine and start. to make left and right, mild and rhythmic swing. After about 5 to 15 minutes, the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments of the whole body totally relax without any burden, spasm is relieved. The blood circulation in the injured part is greatly improved, then the injury is healed The neuralgia is eventually subsidized. The bony joints once shifted in location recover to the original position, the pain is naturally resolved. Such position through the mild and gentle exercise, its local circulation is greatly improved. The injured tissue can obtain sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients, and at the same time the metabolic wastes such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid can be removed promptly. This promoted the recovery of damaged tissues.

In conclusion, it is beneficial to either acute or chronic injury or functional recovery of bone fracture in convalescent period. The price of the exerciser is reasonable, the time to make the exercise is limited, it is a very ideal item as a physical training instrument in family.