Massage and Medical Gymnastics (Classic Reprint) - Tapa blanda

Excerpt from Massage and Medical Gymnastics

Massage and Physical Exercises have formed a branch of medical and surgical treatment from time immemorial and in all countries, a fact demonstrated by Dr. Kleen in his historical introduction; and Dr. Klecn's work is a classic upon the subject which deserves the widest possible circulation throughout the world. Its trans lation into English may therefore be welcomed as a very real step in the diffusion of scientific knowledge upon these methods of treat ment. Naturally the author's views will receive criticism when they come to be read by English-speaking people. Swedish methods of massage and gymnastics are not universally accepted as gospel. Sound and considered criticism is healthy, and Dr. Kleen would himself be the last to raise objection to it. But the great scientific work that has been done by the Swedish schools during the last hundred years has undoubtedly done more to place this branch of treatment upon an acknowledged footing than has that of any other group of workers.

The necessity for the general study of physical methods of treat ment has been demonstrated afresh in the work of Too often have we seen the wonderful work done for the wounded by surgeons at military hospitals robbed of its final success by failure to secure the eventual functional utility of the damaged member by the use of appropriate physical methods. And of all the methods of physiotherapy the use of introduced in scientifically conducted h sical exercises must always remain the foremost. The treatment of these late results of wounds and injuries has aroused an interest in orthopmdic surgery that is unprecedented. Orthopaedic surgery includes something much more than the simple prevention and correction of deformities. The orthopaedic surgeon should think in terms of Function, and his endeavour should be to restore the affected part to its full normal functional activity, or if this is impossible to secure the very best possible return of functional utility. In this final restoration physical exercise must necessarily take a leading part.

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