Purposes of Corrective Exercises
The purposes of these treatments are to improve the blood and nerve supply to all parts of the body and to de¬velop the strength and tone of the tissues necessary to retain this improved function. These effects are brought about in various ways. The manipulation of the joints increases their mobility, and this always improves the blood and nerve supply to the surrounding parts. The blood-vessels and nerves which pass a joint lie close to the hones and to the surface, and any stiffness or abnormal deposits about the joint will cause some pressure upon them. Manipulation of the joints not only helps to overcome and prevent this abnormal pressure, but through the stretching of the nerves greatly stimulates their action. Increasing the mobility of a joint involves stretching any tightened ligaments and also strengthening and restoring tone to relaxed and shortened ligaments. A joint, works normally when its supporting ligaments are normal, so that movement can he free hut controlled. It is possible for a joint to he so movable that it tends to dislocate easily but with proper manipulation this should not result, because the tonic effects of the treatment, especially the exercise, make the liga¬ments strong as well as flexible.
A joint which is in normal condition is not easily dis¬placed. If displacement occurs, the elasticity of the ligaments tends to draw it hack into place, especially if a little assistance is given in the form of stretching. Many people have had the experience of dislocating a ringer joint and replacing it by merely pulling upon it. Tims it will be seen that proper move¬ments help greatly in replacing any bones, ligaments, or muscles which may be slightly out of position. This is espec¬ially true of the spinal vertebrae.
Normal functioning of the organs depends upon their receiving a normal blood and nerve supply, and by manipu¬lating and exercising the parts adjacent to affected organsand to the nerve-centers in the spine which govern these or¬gans, great improvement can he brought about. The right sort of movements particularly are valuable for the heart, liver, and intestines, but all the organs are favorably in¬fluenced. There is not a part of the body that will not be benefited, including the brain, which is, of course, dependent upon a good blood supply.