(a) Mobility of joints is increased by stretching the shrunken joint capsules, contracted muscles, adhesions between tendons and their surroundings, etc.

(b) Venous circulation is aided by alternate lengthening and shortening of the veins running over the joints moved, as above mentioned.

(c) The stretching of the muscles belonging to the joints moved, which is brought about by passive movements, ought also to exercise a definite influence upon them in the direction of increased nutrition and metabolism in them.

The Special Effects of Massage Manipulations.

(a) Given gently they produce a slight stimulation of the cells of the tissues manipulated, whereby their activity is increased.

(b) Given strongly they assist in breaking up inflammatory products.

(c) When applied to nerves these are brought into action and consequently receive an increased supply of blood and improved nutrition. The stimuli produced are conducted directly to the respective muscles, which by this means are brought into action, and to the spinal cord, from which they go out as reflex stimuli to the different parts of the body and there produce various reflexes. They also break up inflammatory products in the nerves and their surroundings.

Estimation of the Special Effects of a Movement.

In order to estimate the special effects of a movement one must take into consideration : -

1. The joint or joints in which the movement takes place, and also the axes of the movement.

2. The muscles which perform the movement, and their mechanical conditions and mode of working.

3. The muscles which must be brought into action in order to fix the origins of the working muscles.

4. Resistance to the movement, its amount and mechanical conditiDns.

5. The effect of the starting position.

Taking these into consideration, as well as the laws of physiology and gymnastic experience, one is able to estimate the most important special effects of the movement with regard to the circulation and the distribution of blood in the body, respiration and the conditions connected with it, pressure conditions in the abdomen, exercise for the nervous system, stretching of soft parts, - ligaments, muscles, adhesions, etc., - and finally on the position of the whole body and its particular parts through altering the actual length of certain muscles and their tone.

In the following description of the movements I have, for the sake of clearness, divided them into Leg, Arm, Head, and Trunk movements, according to the different parts of the body. Later follows the description of the special massage manipulations, and finally come the exercises specially used for spinal curvatures.