Because the resistance is in front, and because of the Fall position, respiration is somewhat impeded, less so the firmer is the support in the back. It is not used, therefore, for weak patients. Is somewhat repleting to the abdominal and pelvic organs (through fall position).

Half-wing -half-str-high-Ride-Fall-Turn-Sitting Forw-Turning (Fig. 109) - The patient first takes H.-r.-s. position with left arm stretched, the right arm in wing position. The gymnast, standing behind, supports him in the back with his right arm bent at the elbow, the forearm lying across the back, the hand supinated. so that at least the thumb rests in the patient's left axilla. With his left hand pronated the gymnast grasps the patient's left wrist or forearm. As in the preceding exercise, the patient is now allowed to fall back and is turned to the left, after which the movement is performed, with slight stretching of the extended arm, but otherwise like the previous exercise. (N.B. - Gymnast must rotate his right or left shoulder so that forward-turning is not hindered.)

By stretch position of one arm the movement is made more difficult.

Fig. 109.

Combination of Forward-turning and Raising-Plane-twisting.

Wing-high-ride-fall-turn-sitting Half-wing-half-stretch-high -ride-fall-turn-sitting.

Plan -twisting.

The grasps are as in the two preceding exercises, but the movement is different, in that the patient falls lower, sometimes even to the horizontal plane, and while turning forward he also raises the trunk to the vertical position.

Effects And Uses

Practically the same as the above, but in raising to the vertical position the flexors of the hips work concentrically and eccentrically and the straight abdominal muscles statically, so that the repleting effect to the pelvic organs, the hindrance to respiration, and the stimulus to peristalsis are all stronger.

Combination of Side-bending, Forward-turning and Raising = Arch-twisting.

half-wing-half-stretch-high-ride-sitting arch-twisting. (Fig. 110). - Position and grasp as in Plane-twisting in the corresponding position. Against resistance of the patient the gymnast bends him first to the side of the stretched arm, and then in an arch backwards till the trunk in Turn position conies to be in a line with the plinth. Here during a moment's pause firm stretching is made in the long axis of the trunk, after which the patient raises himself again to starting position in the same way as in Plane-twisting against the resistance of the gymnast.

Effects And Uses

Same as Plane-twisting, but Arch-twisting is more complicated and stronger. Used only for strong patients. Formerly the movement was considered to have a special influence on the portal circulation, and has undoubtedly such an effect, though perhaps not quite so great as was supposed.

Trunk-rolling.

(See the Passive Trunk Movements.)

Fig. 110.

Passive Trunk Movements- Sibe-Bendings

See Special Scoliosis Exercises.

Wing-High-Ride-Sitting SlDE-Ringing (Fig. 111). - Two gymnasts, standing behind the patient, clasp their inner hands crosswise under his shoulders, and with the outer hands grasp his arms. The movement is performed by swinging the patient's trunk alternately from side to side with a moment's pause at the extreme positions. Movement is repeated eight to twelve times to each side, and then a little pause, and a new series two to three times. The patient must be quite passive, or if this is impossible must rather help a little with the movement.

According to the older gymnasts it is good for sleeplessness.

Wing - long - sitting Ringing (Fig. 112). (In the sagittal plane.) Two gymnasts, standing one on each side of the patient and turned towards him, put one hand from in front under his arms and grasp each other behind his back; the other hands are laid on the patient's neck so that the forearms support the back. The movement is performed so that the patient's trunk is swung forward and backward (not quite to horizontal plane) in rather quick time.

Acts as the above, but is said to be stronger. It is certain that this movement is more uncomfortable to take.

Wing-High-Ride-Sitting Clrcleturning

The position and grasp of the gymnast is similar to Wing-high-ride-fall-turn-sitting Forward-turning, but the patient does not fall backward. The movement is performed by the gymnast carrying the patient's trunk round in small circles, to the side (left), backward and forward, so that side flexion and rotation are combined. Repeated eight to twelve times, and, after change of grasp, as many times to the other side.

Fig. 111.

Fig. 112.

The movement is somewhat modified according to the desired effect.

If it is desired to aid respiration, it is given in somewhat larger circles and in time with breathing - inspiration during the first part of the rotation, expiration during the latter part and afterwards.

If the object is chiefly to assist circulation, the circles are smaller and, speed increased. Respiration then easily becomes impeded.

N.B. - The gymnast must carefully notice that he does not support himself on the patient and thus press him down, but instead he must make a slight stretching in the long axis of the trunk. The grasp must not be so firm as to fix the chest. When the movement is given to heart patients care must be taken that respiration is not impeded.

The movement must be given so that it takes place chiefly in the joints of the spinal column (not in hip joints).

Effects And Uses

(a) Loosens the joints. Used on this account sometimes in scoliosis treatment.

(b) Aids respiration, especially inspiration. Because the expansion of the chest is not very great and does not affect both sides of the chest at the same time, the movement is used with advantage for weak patients, and particularly for heart patients.

(c) Aids circulation, especially portal circulation, partly because respiration is aided, partly through alternations between increased and diminished pressure in the abdomen, partly through alternate lengthening and contraction of the blood vessels of the abdomen.