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OBESITY

Massage and Swedish movements have been used with great success in cases of obesity. Muscular exercise decreases the fat by promoting a more perfect oxygenation through the whole organism.

In connection with firm massage use the following movements:

• 1. Separating and closing of arms.
• 2. Separating and closing of legs.
• 3. L. raising of body.
• 4. St. bending of knees.
• 5. St. rotation of arms (active).
• 6. St. turning of body.

During the first treatments use only a few movements, gradually getting the patient used to them.

As pathologic changes in the texture of the blood-vessels are rather common in cases of obesity the operator should use careful judgment in regard to the strength of the manipulations.

Without proper diet massage will accomplish but very little.

Frequently the masseur will be asked by the patient how he can consistently claim that massage will reduce fat, and also in a thin person produce fat. When we desire to reduce fat we give firm massage, especially kneading, which produces heat; this causes combustion of fat. When we apply the treatment with the object of increasing weight we do so by building up the whole system and particularly the digestive organs. Whatever our aim may be, one of the most important parts of the treatment consists in teaching the patients how to breathe properly.