Page:Massage & exercises combined (second version).djvu/47

 THE COMBINED MASSAGE EXERCISE

No. 3

Massaging each leg alternately with both hands simultaneously from ankle upward over leg and hip, continuing from there with one hand above the other and parallel to each other, directly across the abdomen, one hand moving underneath the ribs, over the transverse colon and the stomach and the other hand over the lower abdomen and pelvis; at the same time lifting and stretching the legs and bending the trunk forward and backward.

Detailed Description

Position—Standing erect with feet parallel and about four inches apart.

Bend the trunk forward, at the same time raising the right leg about four inches from the floor, so that it is slightly bent at the knee and hip and pointed somewhat forward. The weight will then rest on the left leg, the knee of which should be held as rigidly as possible. With the trunk bent forward, clutch the right leg with both hands just above the ankle in such a way, that the thumbs are in front on either side of the tibia (shin-bone). The fingers of each hand, which are kept close together are slanted downward and around the back of the leg from each side, so that the third and fourth fingers of each hand meet and touch at the middle line of the calf muscles. The palms of the hands are thus on each side of the leg, the right hand being on the right or outer side and the left on the inner or left side (Fig. 3 A).

Stroke thus with both hands simultaneously from the ankle upward over the lower right leg pressing the muscles with the