| PHYSICAL MANIPULATIONS Overcoming Muscular Contracture a Necessity. In many cases the contracture of muscles produces pain; draws the limbs so strongly that they are useless, sometimes drawing them into positions that interfere with their action, either partially or wholly, causing pain when an attempt is made to use them. The muscular contracture must be overcome in order to restore normal action. Overcoming abnormal contracture is accomplished by a little extra stretching, temporarily letting go, and repeating the same frequently at one sitting, repeating the process daily or frequently, until normal action is restored. The limbs are the levers used to stretch the muscles. The operator should always use care not to overstretch, or use unnecessary violence in any case, nor repeat the stretching too many times at one sitting. Judgment should be exercised, for much harm, and unnecessary pain, may be caused by too rough handling. Just enough force should be used to answer the purpose, and no more. These movements, improvised by the author, are sufficient for all practical purposes, and will be found applicable to all conditions, where physical manipulations are needed, to restore harmony, if properly applied. The object of these manipulations is to TAKE OFF THE PRESSURE. The manipulator should study the nature of each condition to be remedied. Disease is only a condition. If certain conditions cause inharmony, the thing to do, in order to restore harmony, is to change the conditions from an abnormal to a normal state, and the harmony is necessarily restored. The onward, natural flow of the fluids of the body, undue pressure taken off, the normal function of the nervous system restored, are the things to be accomplished by the manipulations instituted and herein explained. Many years of study, observation, practical experience, and teaching these manipulations to students, have demonstrated their utility, to the manipulator, and the manipulated. Their efficiency, in accomplishing the purpose intended, we assure the reader, is all that is needed. They do the work desired, when rightly understood, and properly applied, in the cure of all functional, human ills, where manipulations are needed. We therefore have no hesitancy in submitting them to the careful, earnest consideration of all who are interested in the cure of disease without drugs, as the very best now used, embracing the philosophy of all manipulatory, drugless healing methods in one. No. la. Standing at the head of the table (patient lying on the table on the back), place the hands on either side of the patient's head, heel of hands on pillow beside the head, then close the hands slightly, in such a manner that the ears of patient are enclosed in palms of hands, and the fingers extending along side of the neck - both hands, one on either side. Now place all the fingers touching each other (on the one hand) on one side, and same on the other side; now, with the heel of the hand press against the side of the head, rolling the head over towards, and on the hand, which will then be under the side of the head; continuing this pressure with the heel of the hand on side of the head, letting the fingers of the hand on which the head is lying be cupped a little, and placed firmly against the side of the neck, pressing up against the muscles of the side of the neck, making the pressure of both sides of the head and neck strong enough to make the patient feel the fingers against the neck and the heel of the other hand on the side of the head. Just at this juncture, the movements are to be reversed, by the hand on which the head is resting, lifting the fingers from the neck-muscles, and using the heel to press on, and turn the head the other way. These rolling movements should continue several times, and each motion, or rolling of the head, should be made with rather a forceful pressure of the heels of the hands and of the fingers against the side of the neck, changing the fingers each time to some other place on the side of the neck, so as to cover the entire neck muscles. This is quite a difficult move to comprehend, so as to make it dexterously; but if the student will study the philosophy of the mechanism of it, there will be but little difficulty in making it all right. The object is to move all the muscles, by pulling them from their moorings, pressing upon them, and stretching them on both sides of the neck. It is simply rolling the head from side to side, pressing with the heel of one hand while the other hand - fingers - are placed against the other side of the neck, and reversing the motions, and changing the locality on the neck with the fingers, repeating the changes until all of the area is covered, and manipulated, and the rigidity of the muscles have been overcome, as much as may be at the one sitting. This treatment is an essential one, for it relaxes the muscles of the neck in a way that no other movement does. No. lb. The manipulator may overcome the rigidity of the neck muscles to some considerable degree by placing the hands at the side of the neck, letting the heels of the hands be under the chin, and the fingers extending down to the sides of the neck, heels of hands against the jaw of the patient, and with a swinging, side movement of his body, pulling against the chin, stretch the muscles pretty thoroughly, rolling the head while the extension is being made, being careful not to use too much force, so as to cause pain. No. 2. Neck manipulations. Patient on table, lying on back. Manipulator standing at head of table; place fingers of both hands on back of the neck, against sides of Cervical spines, hands being on either side of the neck; place abdomen against top of patient's head, holding it so as not to raise it from the table, then, with the hands, pull against the neck, upward, giving strong enough pull on the fingers to raise the neck to a gentle curve upwards, then slacken the hold, move the body from head, let the head and neck resume their natural position on the pillow. Repeat this move three or four times. This movement stretches the neck muscles. No. 3. Place one hand under the back of the neck in such a manner that the fingers and thumb embrace the neck just under the skull, on either side, fingers under the mastoid process on one side, and the thumb under the mastoid process on the other side; hold this position firmly, then place the other hand under the chin of the patient, in such a manner as not to choke patient; while the hands are both held in these positions, pull gently, firmly, with the hands, making the pull strong enough to move the feet perceptibly, and while the pulling is kept taut, turn the chin of patient sidewise as far as it will go naturally, without much strain, then, with a short, quick extension of the turn, pull the chin a little further. Do this while the neck is kept taut, being careful not to be too rough in making the movement. Change the hands, and repeat the same movement in the same way, only in the opposite direction. This movement stretches many muscles of the neck. The object of the stretching is to free the circulation. No. 4. Place the fingers of both hands, pulps of fingers, against the muscles, holding the fingers against the muscles just firmly enough to press on them, and then vibrate the sides of the neck, embracing all the muscles, by changing the position of the fingers from place to place, and holding them, bearing down firmly enough to move the muscles, using rapid vibrations for a little while. This movement is conducive to comfort, and assists in relaxing the neck muscles. No. 5. Place both hands on the forehead, using the palms of the hands, covering the entire forehead, press down firmly enough to hold the muscles, and use vibratory movements so as to shake and pull all the muscles from their moorings sufficiently to stretch them, and at the same time shake the entire body, changing the position of the hands frequently, and continue these movements for a moment or so, finishing the vibrations by pressing the forehead, with outward strokes with the palms of the hands, a few times, and over the eye-brows with the balls of the thumbs; then place the thumbs on the cheeks, on either side of the nose, and press them down there, moving them outward, repeating these movements several times. No. 6. Standing at the side of the treating table, patient lying thereon, take hold of the nose with thumb and a couple of fingers, squeeze the nose so as to embrace the muscles on either side of the nose, then, with movements upward and downward, move the muscles briskly for a few times, and finish this manipulation by placing the thumb on one side of the inner corner (canthus) of the eye, and the fingers on the other side, embracing the inner edges of the eye-lids, and the lachrymal bones, squeeze the thumb and finger hard enough to hold the parts firmly, then, with a sudden shove downward, repeat two or three times, being careful to hold the position so as not to shove the finger and thumb into the eyes. This last movement is an excellent movement for the watery eye" condition; with a slight extension, with the finger further shoved down to the inner canthus, and pressed hard against the lachrymal bone, an excellent, effectual treatment for Pterygium as well. Two or three treatments of the eyes in this way being sufficient to cure the Pterygium, and save a knife operation, as well as blindness therefrom. This is enough to do to cure Pterygium. No. 7. Operator standing at the side of the table, patient lying on table, places hand on the forehead, one hand on the side of the neck opposite, fingers together, cupped a little, so that the palms of the fingers press against the side of the neck muscles, make the following movements: with the hand on the forehead, loosely pressing it so as to move the head, the heel of the hand on the edge of the temporal bone on the side of the head next to him, and the fingers extending to the other side of the forehead at the opposite temple. Having the hands thus placed, the hand on the forehead pushes the forehead over from him in a rolling motion, while, with the hand on the neck, he pulls the muscles toward him; then pulls the forehead back to its normal position, face being straight with the body, nose pointing upward; repeat the motion, changing the position of the fingers on the neck, so that another place is moved, and so on; as these motions are made, manipulate all the muscles of the neck at one sitting, extending the manipulations up, under the chin, and around in front of the neck, continuing the movements until all of the muscles of that side of the neck have been manipulated and relaxed. The operator should change sides of the table, and treat the other side of the neck the same way, being careful to cover the entire neck muscles in these manipulations, so as to relax them, and permit the venous blood to return through its natural channels, and into the jugular vein, which empties itself into the heart, and thus frees the circulation of congested blood, and the results caused thereby cease. This is one of the most important manipulations of all. It is applicable for all diseased conditions of the head and neck, and it is the only rational treatment indicated, for it is certainly effectual. No. 8. Operator standing at side of table, patient lying on back; the operator places one hand to the side of the head of the patient, fingers pointing down toward the pillow, he rolls the head of the patient over towards him, so that the ear will be in palm of hand, fingers under the side and extending to the back of the head, the head resting on the hand of the operator. Now, place the other hand on the side of the neck which is upward, and feel with the fingers along the side of the neck for rigid muscles, or a tender or sore muscle, which will be manifest if there is any unnatural sensitiveness, or soreness, by a, slight increase in the pressure with the finger. Now, with the head on the hand, place the finger, the second joint of the second finger, against the spot, where the soreness is complained of, and hold the joint firmly, yet not too firm, then move the head a little from you, holding the head still, but see that the patient is thoroughly relaxed, then, all at once, with a sudden pull with the hand against the side of the neck, in the form of a jerk, keeping the, head in position with the hand holding the head, you relax the muscles involved, and frequently there will be a clicking noise heard, and immediate relief follows the clicking; the muscles are relaxed, and the pain subsides at once. To relieve the other side of the neck, change position, and use the same manipulations reverse side, always being careful not to repeat the jerking on one side to often, for soreness may follow, especially where the click is not felt and heard. Many conditions, headache, contracted muscles, freedom of the circulation of the blood, etc., are relieved by this movement, and it is invaluable for many complaints caused by contracture of the neck muscles, and saves much suffering when properly done. The manipulations may cover all of the cervical vertebrae, from the Atlas to seventh cervical, and applied for the relief of pains originating in the brachial plexus, extending to the ends of the fingers, or anywhere in the arms or neck. No. 9. How to raise the clavicles. This may be done, in several ways. The purpose of raising the clavicles, is to remove the pressure from the JUGULAR VEINS. Have the patient flex the arm, the operator seizes it at the elbow, pushes or pulls it toward the head, places his thumb against the sternal end, on the upper, inner side, next to the neck, and presses it outward, as the arm is being raised with the other hand, the movement being to raise the arm as close to the side as may be. Another way to raise the clavicle: Stand at the side of patient on the table, take hold of the wrist of patient with one hand - if on the left side of patient, the right hand of the operator should hold the left hand of the patient, and if on the right side of the patient, reversed. Place the hand of the patient in the hand of the operator, the hand in such a position as to flex toward the body, operator holding the wrist against his own chest; now straighten back a little so as to stretch the arm, continue to hold the arm taut, then place the fingers of the other hand over, and back of, the clavicle, as close to the sternal end as convenient, still holding the arm taut; move the body toward the head of the table, carrying the arm and body together, keeping the fingers in place, and they will move downward, back of the clavicle, and press it outward, stretching the muscles, which hold it tightly pulled back against the jugular vein, and thus relieve the smaller veins, as well as the jugular, and let the venous blood return to the heart, relieving the pressure that causes so much trouble, in the head and neck, throat, etc., freeing the small veins. The movement may be made two or more times. The other side treated in the same way, thus relieving the pressure from both jugular and small veins. Another way to raise the clavicles: Patient sitting up, on stool or seat. Let operator stand at the side of the patient; place the right hand to the side of the neck in such a manner as to let the hand cover the side of the neck and letting the fingers extend in front of the neck, the thumb resting on the shoulder back of the neck, and the forefinger and the second finger extend around in front of the neck, resting just above the clavicle; now, in this position, the operator takes hold of the wrist of the patient, and raises the arm - the arm on the same side, of course - bringing it up and in front of the face of the patient, with a little force, bringing the arm across the upper part of the chest. This forces the clavicle outward, and relieves the pressure, and cures many cases of heart trouble, as well as throat troubles. The hands may be changed, and the other side treated the same way. Raising the clavicles is one of the important manipulations, the value of which cannot be over-estimated when we consider the many diseases caused by its being bound down, and how many conditions may be relieved by its being raised, and letting the venous blood pursue its onward course. It is one of the important things to do, in the treatment of all conditions called disease, for it clears the brain of congested venous blood, and cures many cases of heart trouble by permitting the blood to flow into it naturally, and supplying the capillaries by permitting the venous blood to get out of the way. In all head troubles, this is the thing which demands special attention. No. 10. Movements to stretch the chest muscles, and intercostals
as well. Operator standing at the head of the table, patient lying
on his back; operator takes hold of -right wrist of patient with his left
hand, so placed that the palm of hand shall be on the flexor muscles of
the .patient's wrist; now stretch the arm, pulling it upward along the
side of the patient's head, holding it there asthe body of the operator
is lowered, so as to stretch thearm taut and at the same time stretch
the chest muscles, keeping -his fingers cupped so as to press all of them
on the side of the spine next to him, changing position of his fingers,
keeping them close to the side of the spinous processes on the side of
the body the arm is that is being manipulated. As the arm is extended
the fingers are to be pressed against the back, beginning at the upper
border of the scapula, each stretching of the arm the fingers are to be
moved a little f urther down and to be pressed hard against the lamina
on the side of the spine, letting these movements be made several times.
Change sides, treat the patient in the same manner. The treatments
will be made by changing the hands of both patient It will be better understood if the operator will remember that when the right side of patient is to be treated, he takes hold of the left arm of the patient, and the fingers of the right hand of the operator are to be placed against the sides of spines of the patient, and when this side is treated as above stated, the other side is to be treated the same way; which necessitates a change of position of the operator, and changing hands of operator, so as to stretch the muscles of the other side of chest. This is an important manipulation, as it stretches all of the muscles of respiration, expands the chest walls, gives more room for breathing, frees the circulation, by emptying the venous system involved in all the muscles of inspiration and of expiration, sending all the venous blood back through their natural channels, emptying the venous blood into the vena-azygos major and minor; making it one of the essential movements in all cases of lung troubles, heart troubles, bronchitis, pleuritis and difficult breathing. It will be understood that contracted muscles are responsible for many serious conditions, making it an essential thing to relax them, someway, so that the vessels passing through them, or ending in them, may be released, so that normal functions may be restored to the vessels, nerves, veins, and other fluid-carrying vessels. The following movements may be made in lieu of the foregoing, and they answer the same purpose, and may take their place, or, failing to relieve a pain in the chest, caused by engorgement of venous blood, by using the one, the other may be used; or both may be used at the same seance if desired, as there may be something not relieved by the one, that both may be necessary. One will not undo the effects of the other, but better conditions. No. 11. Operator standing at side of the table, patient lying on back,
the operator holding the right hand of the patient with right hand. This
can be done by standing on opposite side, reaching across the table, over
the body of the patient. Now close the fingers around the wrist, with
the forefinger placed between the thumb and forefinger of the patient.
In this position, having hold of the wrist of your patient, put the hand
of patient against the operator's breast, holding it there firmly, then
straighten up, pulling the arm taut, then turn (your own) body around
just enough to enable you to place the opposite hand over the body of
the patient until the fingers shall have reached the sides of the spinal
vertebra, placing the palms of the fingers close to the sides of the vertebra,
and on the side of the spine next to you. Now place your feet so as to
stand firmly, putting the right foot out and forward, the left foot parallel
with the table, letting the side of the thigh be held firmly against the
side of the table, so as to hold the patient thereon, while the manipulation
is being made, as follows: Press the fingers against the sides of the
spinous processes next to you, pulling against the back with the end of
the finger-pulps, while the arm is being extended, with the other hand
holding the wrist of the patient, and while the arm is being distended,
pull the body of the patient towards you, holding the body thus pulled
taut, while the arm of the patient is pushed down, over the arm of operator,
flexed; then let the body go back to its natural position, move the fingers
down the back, the width of the hand, then repeat the stretching of the
arm, and the pulling against the back as before. No. 12. Treatment of the lower limbs - patient lying on the table, on back. Operator takes hold of the patient's ankle with one hand, places the other hand in the popliteal space (bend of the knee), lifts it up to a right angle, and with the hand holding the ankle, flex the knee joint over the wrist or hand held in bend, and pressing down with the hand holding ankle, a few times. Then take hand from under the knee, place it in front of shin, upper end of tibia, and press against it so as to flex the knee toward the body as far as it will go comfortably, then, with hand holding the ankle, vibrate it inward and outward three or four times; this moves the knee and hip joints. Cease the vibratory motion, hold the ankle with the same hand, but with the other hand placed on outside of thigh, just above the knee, push knee over toward the other leg, at the same time pull the ankle outward toward the body, then jerk the leg downward in an extended motion to the table, letting the hand which is placed above the knee, come down on thigh, doing this two or three times, making sort of a rotary motion each time, flexing the knee as before described. No. 13. Holding the ankle of the patient, push the foot upward, flexing the knee outward, or pulling it out with the loose hand, still holding the ankle; place the other hand on the thigh, above the knee, heel of hand doing the pressure, pressing the knee down to the table, the knee at right angles but down on the table, and keep pressing the thigh down, giving at the same time a strong, sudden pull with the hand holding the ankle, letting the hand follow the limb, and it will come down against the outside of the thigh, coming to a sudden stop, jerking the knee and hip joints and all the muscles of the leg as well. This should be repeated several times - three at least. No. 14. The hand holding the ankle, catching the palm of hand under the ankle, lift the leg, flexing it on thigh, and thigh on abdomen - or as nearly so as can be; raise the foot and shove the knee toward the body, raising it with the hand under the ankle; place the other hand above the knee, then straighten the limb as much as possible, inclining the body downward toward the foot, bring the knee joint to a sudden stop. Repeat this several times; this will stretch all the muscles of the leg and thigh effectually. No. 15. Take hold of the ankle, raise the limb so the knee will press against the side or abdomen, then place the hand in popliteal space (under knee joint), and push foot over other limb, pulling, at the same time with the hand under the knee in bend of leg, shoving the ankle as far around in a circular move as may be, changing position of the hand along muscles of the thigh, making several movements thus, covering the space between the underside of knee to the bend of the thigh, if so desired. No. 16. Patient lying on back, flex both lower limbs so that the knees will be at right angle with the body; then place one foot (ankle) over the other one, to hold it still and in one position, operator takes hold of the knee with one hand and with the other hand placed above knee, on thigh, push knee toward other leg, and with other hand pull the muscles of thigh in direction toward operator, continuing these motions until all the space is gone over from the knee to the thigh, moving the muscles outward, while the knee is being pushed inward, making a sort of a rotary motion each time the leg is shoved from you, and a pulling motion with the other hand. This movement is more especially used in the treatment of Varicose Veins. When the hand is placed over the Saphenous vein, and the pushing against the knee and pulling with the hand which is placed over the space on the thigh, over the Saphenous vein, where there will usually be found a knot, due to the venous blood being arrested there in the vein, on its way to the Femoral vein, for this vein receives the blood from the lower limb, and if it is obstructed, the smaller veins will become engorged - filled with blood; so this is the treatment for that condition, and the only rational treatment, and will cure it, if persisted in, the patient not being on the feet too much, giving the veins time to recuperate their strength from the over-stretching, on account of having been filled with too much blood. Varicose ulcers are cured by this treatment, persisted in for some days - perhaps it will take weeks. No. 17. Take hold of the knee, flex the leg on thigh, push it over toward the other leg or thigh, then place the other hand under the hips, fingers on side of the sacrum, turn fingers upward against side of sacrum, then make a rotary motion outward with the knee, pressing down against the fingers, shoving the knee upwards and outward, so as to make pressure upon the fingers, then, as these motions are being made, bring the fingers downward, following the course downward and outward toward the ischium each movement, making several movements in this manner, following the great Sciatic nerve, as this treatment is especially to take the pressure from that nerve, relieving Sciatica. No. 18. Patient lying on back, the operator stands at the foot of the table, takes hold of the heel with one hand and the foot with the other, in such a manner as to hold the foot firmly, then places his elbows - arms against his own side, holding them firmly there, then moves himself backward and forward in a swinging, forward and backward motion, which stretches all the muscles of the leg and thigh. This may be done several times if desired. The foregoing described movements are all essential to free
the circulation of the blood and to relax the muscular system, and free
the nervous system. No. 19. Operator standing beside the patient, extends arm to opposite shoulder, letting hand rest thereon, with chin of patient placed on forearm, then place the other hand at back of neck, fingers and thumb pressing against the back of neck - on either side of the ligamentum nucha; now lift the chin with the arm, while pressure is made with the fingers and thumb against the back of the neck. This movement should be done in a somewhat rotary, backward and forward movement, at the same time lifting motion, in order to stretch the neck muscles. It may be done several times at one sitting. The same effect can be produced if the operator placed the hand on the forehead instead of the arm under the chin, and press backward and strong enough to oppose the fingers which -are placed against the back of the neck. The fingers may be turned downward so as to treat muscles on shoulder also. No. 20. Place one hand on the forehead, the other at back of the neck, in such a manner that the thumb shall be against the side of neck next to you, and the fingers extending around to the other side of the neck; push head in a semi-circular motion from you, pulling at the same time, with the fingers of the other hand, the muscles of the opposite side of the neck, as the head is being turned. Change the position of the fingers as the head is being moved in its circular movement, by the hand on the forehead. Do this several times, changing the position of the fingers, so as to move the muscles on that side of the neck - all of them - at one sitting. Then change position to the other side of the patient, and repeat same manipulations on other side of neck. No. 21. To raise the clavicle, patient sitting on stool, place the hand on side of the neck, heel of hand up, second finger of the hand extending forward and around in front of the neck, thumb placed above the inner end of the clavicle, then taking hold of the hand of the patient on same side, raise the arm upwards and forwards in front of the face, while the finger is pressed down behind the sternal end of the clavicle. This presses the clavicle outward, relieving the pressure on the jugular vein. The other side may be treated the same way. Another convenient, effectual way to raise the clavicle: place the thumb on upper edge of the sternal end of the clavicle, then take hold of the elbow of the arm on the side opposite where you are standing, pull it backwards and upwards, which raises the clavicle out from the neck somewhat; now press the thumb against the end of the clavicle, pressing it outward as the arm is extended, or drawn backward, make more extension by a gentle, jerking pull. The several methods of raising the clavicles are important, and either way will suffice to free the circulation of the venous blood in the head. No. 22. Patient sitting on stool, the operator stands directly behind patient, taking hold of the right hand of patient with his own right hand, thumb placed on palm of the thumb of the patient, holding wrist firmly, places thumb on side of vertebra, high up on spine, next to the seventh cervical vertebra, on right side of the vertebra; then, with the right arm, pulls the right arm of the patient upward, making a curving motion over the side of the head of the patient, and just as the hand comes to the top of the head of the patient, the operator gives a sudden jerk forward and downward, as if he were going to strike the wrist of the hand placed on the back, and at this particular time pushes against the back with the thumb, as if to antagonize the arm movement, and all at once a sudden stop is the finishing of the motion, as they antagonize each other. Continue these movements several times, moving the hand on the back downward a little as each movement is made, covering the back as far as the twelfth dorsal verterbra, if desired; but, after passing down the back a short distance, the thumb and forefinger may be placed on either side of the spine, and the motions or movements continued on down the spine. One will facilitate matters very much, and make the manipulations more effectual, by placing the arm against the side, and antagonize the motion by the body being moved toward the patient, and less arm force is thus used, and better results follow the treatment. The other side may be treated the same way, by changing hands and positions of the thumb on the back, and the position of the body. The feet should be so placed as to make the manipulations easy on the operator, the left foot placed backward, and the right foot forward when the operator is treating the RIGHT side, and reversed when treating the other side. These treatments are excellent for stretching all of the chest and intercostal muscles, which permits them to relax, and the venous blood to empty itself through the veins, and takes the pressure off of the small nerve filaments which pass through them; is an excellent means of relieving many conditions of the chest, which cannot be relieved otherwise; hence important. No. 23. Operator standing behind the patient, places the knee high up, between the shoulders, takes hold of the arms, or elbows, both hands, both arms; pull them back while the knee is being pushed against the spine, turning the foot outward as the knee descends along down the spine, so as to let the knee be across the spine, rather than directly against the processes. No. 24. Standing behind the patient, have him (or her) lock the hands together, and extend them above the head, when the operator takes hold of the locked hands, draws them backward to the top of the head (of the operator), places the thumb and finger on either side of the spines, and his arm against his own side, then pulling the hands backward, presses the fingers against the back, inclining the body toward the patient, so as to antagonize the movement backward (of the patient); moving the fingers downward a few inches each move of the patient backward. No. 25. Operator standing in front of the patient, holding knees between his, have patient lock hands behind the neck, the operator pushes both hands and fore-arm between the arms of the patient and the neck, places fingers of both hands at sides of vertebra, then presses the arms of the patient outward and backward, so as to stretch the chest muscles, doing this several times, and letting the fingers extend further down the back each time the spreading of the arms is to be done. This is another way to stretch the chest muscles. No. 26. Patient will lock the hands high above the head, operator standing in the front, holding knees of patient between his, takes hold of the arm of one side of the body, and extending his own hand around the side of the patient to the sides of the spines, holding the fingers against the back firmly, pushes the arm steadily, firmly backward, pulling the back forward with the hand placed as directed above, against the spine, close to the spinous process, lowering the hand each new move backward, which should be done several times, embracing the spine from the scapula to the twelfth dorsal vertebra, and then change the hold to the other arm, other hand on opposite side and repeat same as before. This is an excellent treatment, for many conditions of the several organs inside the abdominal viscera, and it stretches a number of muscles of the back and side, and relieves pressure from the liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach, and relieves pain in the several organs named, as well as intercostal neuralgia, and stretches all of the chest muscles, and relieves lung pressure. No. 27. Operator standing in front of the patient, an assistant standing behind patient, placing the thumbs against, and on either side of the spine, against the lamina of the backbones, the operator taking hold of both wrists of the patient, extending the arms upwards and backwards, close up to the side of the head, presses them backward as far as they will allow, to be comfortable, then, all of a sudden, jerks them forward and down in front of the patient. Then go through these motions several times, the assistant moving his thumbs down the sides of the spine a short distance, two or three inches, each time the arms are pushed upward and backward, as far down as the twelfth dorsal vertebra. These movements stretch a number of the chest muscles, and relieve many conditions not get-at-able otherwise, and will be a means of relief for many conditions called disease. There are other manipulations which are not so essential, but these cover the entire body, and embrace and include all that are really necessary, for they stretch nearly all of the 527 muscles of the body, and only need to be carefully and intelligently applied, to render satisfaction, and when coupled with the spinal adjustments, will be sufficient to meet every indication. No. 28. Standing before the patient, place the hands on each side of the head, lift up with both hands, placing the neck on a stretch, and then make rotary motions of the head, with neck extended taut, by lowering one elbow and raising the other, doing this several times (in a rotary motion), and then, closing the heel of the hands together, and holding the fingers against the back of the neck, push the head backwards, at the same time pull the neck forward, so as to stretch the muscles of the back of the neck at the same time. This is a good finishing-up treatment for all conditions of the head. No. 29. Place the heels of both hands gently against the sides of the neck, in front, and up close to the jaw, in such a manner as to press slightly on either side of' the trachea, letting the fingers extend back behind the neck, and now, suddenly squeeze the fingers and push the palm or the heels of the hands against the front side of' the neck, close up to the trachea, and over the Pneumogastric Nerve (as well as the Carotid Artery and JugularVein); this will usually stop a headache instantly - temporarily at least, and very often permanently. Be careful that the squeezing be done suddenly, and the pressure immediately removed, because, if too long continued, fainting will ensue; but if care is taken, it will prove a most excellent means of relief. No. 30. A special manipulation of the top of the shoulder may be made as follows: Operator standing in front of the patient, takes hold of the arm, say on the right side of the patient, with his left hand holding the right hand of the patient by the wrist, place the right hand on the top of the shoulder, and raise the hand, pushing the arm toward the back of the head of the patient, and, at the same time, grasp the shoulder with the right hand, squeezing the fingers together, holding a grip on the muscles on the top of the shoulder, and slackening the hold, and then raising, take hold in a different place on the shoulder, and so on, for several such movements, until the muscles are well manipulated; then change positions, changing hands as well, to other side, and go over the other shoulder in the same manner, and this will relieve any undue contracture of the muscles of the shoulder, often relieving pain. No. 31. Another move may be made by operator standing behind the patient, as follows: Take hold of the left wrist with the left hand, place the right hand on the left shoulder, over the top and front, covering the front side of the top of the shoulder joint, outer end of the clavicle and the pectoral muscles, push the arm toward and over the front part of the head, while the hand on the shoulder grasps the muscles, and squeezes them as the hand is thus thrown up over and in front of the forehead of the patient. Change positions and treat the other shoulder the same way and manner. This is a good movement for shoulder troubles, pains, etc., and may be called for many times, as it is sometimes needed to relieve contracture of the joint and the muscles covering the joint, as well as the pectoral muscles. No. 32. Another movement which is used to free the pectoral muscle and the shoulder joint is made as follows: Operator standing at the side of the patient, the patient sitting on a stool or chair, reaches one arm around and in front of the patient, catches hold of the pectoral muscle, close up under the arm, and reaches the other arm around back of patient, takes hold of the elbow of the other arm of patient, pulls the arm with one hand and the muscle with the other hand, thus stretching the pectoral muscle, and relieving the contracture. Change positions and treat the other side the same way, if needed. No. 33. In case of rigidity of the muscles of the sides of the neck, the operator stands by the side of the patient, with his body against the shoulder of the patient, places the hand at the side of the head on the temporal area, the fingers extended on the top of the head, and with the other hand placed under the chin, with the thumb up to the side of the face, and the fingers extended around the neck, pressing with the fingers and pushing with the hand on the head, manipulates the muscles, pulling them toward the front side of the neck, relaxing the muscles as much as possible by several movements, changing the fingers as much as necessary to reach the muscles which are contracted. On failure to relax the muscles by manipulations, hold the hands in the same position on the head, finding the muscles contracted; place the second finger on the rigid muscle, having the patient relax perfectly, and see that this is done by moving the head with a rapid motion opposite to you; and when the patient's neck muscles are relaxed, with the finger placed as described on the muscle that is rigid, all at once, with a sudden movement, pushing from you and pulling directly toward you, with a quick short jerk, you produce a cracking, clicking sound. This is caused by a separation of the facets of the cervical vertebrae, which gives the sound, and immediately the muscles relax. If there has been pain before that time, at once it ceases; so that we get the response instantaneously. No. 34. This cut shows the method of stretching the entire spine. The operator stands behind the patient; the patient may be seated on the table or a stool, or standing on the feet. The operator stands behind the patient, and the patient locks the hands behind the neck, as seen in the cut; the operator places his arms under the arms of the patient, catching hold of the patient's wrists, pulling the patient backward, and lifts the patient so as to let the weight of the body be lifted, and at the same time the arms should be pulled backward and outwards, while the patient should be thoroughly relaxed. This stretches the spine, and adjusts the verterbrae, by relaxing the muscles of the entire dorsal area. The chest of the operator should be placed against the back of patient, and as the pulling backward and outward is being made, there will often be heard a clicking noise, that indicates the relaxation of the spinal muscles and the adjustment of the spinal vertebrae. No. 35. The patient seated on a table, the operator standing beside it, reaches around over the opposite shoulder of patient, takes hold of the arm at the elbow and then places the thumb and fingers of the other hand on either side of the spine, high up between the shoulders, and pulls the patient backward, pressing against the spine and letting the elbow come back and down to the table, pull at the same time, the patient down against the arm which presses against the back; then raise the patient to almost a sitting posture, and repeat the move several times, lowering the hand along the spine each move of patient backward. It will be noticed that the patient's neck is resting on the neck of the operator. The cut indicates the position of both operator and patient. No. 36. Stretching the neck muscles, patient lying on table. Operator takes hold of the neck of patient as follows: Place one hand under the neck and the other hand under the chin, make extension, pulling strongly and equally with both hands, and while the neck is taut, twist the neck sidewise as far as it seems natural to go, then make a little more extension sidewise, with a sudden, short jerk. Change hands and repeat operation, moving head in opposite direction. This stretches muscles of the neck. No. 37. Standing beside the table, patient lying on the back, operator takes hold of the ankle of patient, flex limb on thigh; place other hand below knee, and move foot from right to left, rapidly, several times, and while holding the ankle, change the hand from the position below the knee to a position above the knee, and on the side of leg next to you; now push knee from you, and at the same time pull the foot toward you, and extend the limb to a horizontal position to the table. Repeat this three or four times. The cuts showing the adduction and the abduction of the limbs should be consulted, as these moves are quite essential for many conditions of the lower limbs. No. 38. Movements of the arms, patient on table, lying on stomach. Operator takes hold of the arm opposite, holding the arm on shoulder of patient, slipping the fingers under the arm-pit, taking hold of the pectoralis major muscle; now pulls the shoulder upward while, with the other hand placed on the back, pushes against the muscles along the spine while pulling with the hand which is placed in the arm-pit; going on down the back, pushing the muscles quite strongly. This is an excellent manipulation to stretch the dorsal muscles. The same effect may be produced, but in the opposite direction, by placing one hand under the lower abdominal region, holding the ilium with one hand and pushing against the spine with the other; the heel of the hand should always do the pressing against the muscles. No. 39. The manipulation to relieve and cure abdominal troubles of pelvic viscera, such as diarrhea, prolapsus, leucorrhea and hemorrhages. Operator standing beside the table, patient lying on face, front of body down, places arm under the limbs of patient just above the knees, lifts the limbs, while the hand of the other arm is placed on the lower lumbar area of the spine, pressing down quite strongly while the limbs are being raised. Begin the pressure on the lumbar vertebra at the fifth, pressing hard there, then let the limbs back to the table; move the hand up a couple of inches, then lift the limbs again, then let down and repeat these moves until the whole lumbar area has been covered, and the pressures made each time the limbs are raised. This pressure should be prolonged for a few seconds each time, to cure the conditions named, and should be repeated frequently, or from day to day, until relief is obtained. This stretches the abdominal muscles and stimulates the solar plexus and the splanchnic nerves. Many manipulations will suggest themselves to the operator as needed, if the one idea is constantly kept in mind: "Take OFF the Pressure." As the practitioner of these manipulations has experience, he will find necessity for improvising special manipulations to meet the many indications where manipulations will prove efficacious in relieving distress. The reader will find all of these manipulations applicable for the treatment of conditions found every day where there is a use for manipulations at all. We have found these manipulations efficacious in so many cases and so simple and easy to learn, and soothing to the afflicted, we have no hesitancy in submitting them to the special consideration and use of all who desire to relieve human, physical ills, for they will not disappoint the manipulator, if rightly, intelligently applied, and persistently followed up as indicated. They will relieve the nervous pressure, relax contracted muscles, take the pressure off of nerve filaments, and thereby cure more ills than any other method known to humanity. The spinal nervous system will be considered in our next dissertation,
as well as the dorsal muscles, so that when this is fully comprehended
by the reader, and the treatments and adjustments rightly applied, the
manipulator will be panoplied with a better means of curing disease than
if he had gone through all the schools of learning the world has ever
had, or may have, for this system embraces and includes all that is true
in the philosophy of healing, and will render quicker and more permanent
relief for all functional human ills than all the known. remedies of Christendom.
Spinal Manipulations. The twenty-four vertebra, from the head to the Sacrum, the seven Cervical, twelve Dorsal, five Lumbar, and Coccyx, are the special divisions which demand attention, especially, specifically, in order to know their relationship to the nervous system and the circulation of the fluids of the body. From each segment of the spine, there emerges, on either side, two bundles of nerve filaments, starting from the brain, and as they leave the spinal cord, begin to divide into their several filaments, and pass into the muscular tissue, where they end, and perform their special function, whatever that may be. As they pass through the muscular structure, undue contracture of the muscular fibres interferes with their function, causing disease, or a condition called inharmony at the nerve endings. It is the experience of the author of this book, that many diseases have their origin in muscular contracture. The cause of muscular contracture is somewhat difficult to explain, satisfactorily, to the understanding of all enquirers, or even to fully comprehend, under all the circumstances which are related to the subject, theoretically, practically or primarily. Whatever causes the contracture may be wholly obscured, absolutely unknown, but the effects may be easily discerned, and the consequences prognosed to a certainty, the remedy applied satisfactorily, and harmony restored easily; but the prime cause of the contracture never be known. Irritation of nerve filaments, which end in a part, is the prime cause, but what caused the irritation may be a matter of conjecture, and yet, when all that we know about causes is comprehended, it resolves itself into very narrow limits, hence we are forced to deal with effects, rather than the cause. There are certain conditions we may know, and are assured that we are right in regard to the certainty of their existence, and experience has proven the truth of our conclusions. Finding certain conditions existing, we are led to the conclusion that certain results will inevitably follow, unless the conditions are changed, and if we know how to change the conditions in such a manner as to restore them to a normal state, we are satisfied with the results. The rational application of the proper means to restore harmony, is the object of the author to explain, and we shall endeavor to do so in language easily understood, knowing that the science of curing the afflicted of disease, by physical manipulations, is a matter of especial importance, for many reasons, and the first and most important reason is that there is such a large class of people who are wholly ignorant of any other means of reliable treatment, that will cure disease, but medicine. Prejudice, the child of ignorance, has so circumscribed the minds of people that they have had no desire to extricate themselves from their environments, are content to remain ignorant of the very thing which, most of all others, concerns them - Health. To think that health could not be attained, except through medication, has been the prevailing thought for ages, has befogged the minds of millions of people, ever since medicine was first forced into the stomach of the first victim, Asa, 3500 years ago, and he "Slept with his fathers"; and yet the people have never learned - all of them at least - that medicines do not cure disease; but, because some get well who take it, therefore it is necessary to take it, cure or not, just because some have taken it and gotten well, regardless of the number it consigned to untimely graves. Many are becoming enlightened in regard to these matters, and are abandoning the use of medicine, because they have learned that there is a better way to get well, when sick, than taking medicine. Many physicians are often heard to advise their patients, saying, "The less medicine you take, the better off you are." If that be true, why take any medicine? You will not, after you shall have learned that physical manipulations cure more quickly, more certainly, and with no bad after-effects from their use as medicine often leaves. Many cases are cured by a single treatment, at once, whereas medicine may be taken many days, the patient get worse all the time, the disease may run its course, and the patient die, or get well, regardless of disease or medicine. There is a certainty in Neuropathic manipulations, which does not inhere in the use of medicine, of favorable results, hence the preference for them by all who know anything about the science of Neuropathy. If the physicians, as well as the people, would lay aside their prejudices, and honestly investigate the principles and the philosophy of drugless methods of healing "Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good" great good to all would result, and proscriptive, unjust medical legislation would cease. "To protect the public from the imposition of quacks" would be a thing of the past, and would not disgrace the statutes of any state or country, for the people would be privileged to select their own physician, regardless of cult or party interest, state medical examinations or restricted liberty of any kind, for every one would recognize the fact that all men are created free and equal, so far as choice and action are concerned, especially when his own personal, special interest is at stake. The FREEDOM OF CHOICE is a privilege that all men ought to have.
All medical laws are proscriptive, unjust, unconstitutional, not needed.
They do not protect the people, but rather impose upon them forced submission
to certain cliques, of a supposed medical standard of medical practice,
debarring all others from practice who have not passed their medical standard,
thus forbidding the afflicted the right of choice, as to their physician.
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