Page:Massage & exercises combined (second version).djvu/69

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THE COMBINED MASSAGE EXERCISE

No. 6


Massaging with both hands simultaneously downward on each side of back and buttocks; at the same time turning the trunk to the right and left.


Detailed Description

Position—Standing erect with chest thrown forward and shoulders back, but without strain, heels about five inches apart and with the feet either pointed slightly outward to each side or parallel to each other, arms hanging loosely at side.

Without altering the position of legs and feet, turn the trunk around to the right so that if possible the chest and shoulders are facing squarely to that side. The trunk will thus have made a quarter of a turn to the right. While the body is in that position, clench the hands and move them quickly around and as far up as possible on each side of the back, the back of the hands turned toward the body, the knuckles of each hand opposite each other on each side of the spinal column (Fig. 6 A).

Stroke thus with the backs of both hands simultaneously downward over each side of the lower back and buttocks, where the hands are released (Fig. 6 B).

Now, without altering the position of the legs or feet, turn the trunk over to the left side, as far as possible, so that the chest and shoulders are facing squarely to the left. Thus this time a half turn is made. While in this position, stroke downward on the back in the same way as when the body was turned toward the other side (Fig. 6 C and D).