Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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depends on the condition of the patient. When slowly
executed, this series of movements is so easy and gentle that
they may be performed by women in pregnancy and the
puerperium, and by invalids in general.
Note I.—Properly instructed and careful lay persons are
also able to give the necessary assistance and support in this
exercise. Or two expectant mothers in a hospital or nursing
home may help one another. This help is most comfortable
if the couch or table is comparatively high, as in Fig. 40.
Note 2.—The gymnastic instructress or assistant must
not press the large blood vessels of the thigh with her finger
tips, and should even avoid pressure on the smaller veins.
(b) The completely passive nature of this exercise (as
described under (a) ) is changed into resistance to pressure
if the instructress presses the patient's thigh with her hand
so that some exertion is necessary in order to raise the knee.
Similarly, a certain degree of pressure is possible with the
other hand against the patient's foot. Of course, the amount
of exertion may be modified to any degree. The instructress
must be on guard against undue strain of the diaphragm, and
regular breathing is, therefore, essential during this exercise.
(14) Knee Rotation (Fig. 31).
Recumbent posture as in preceding exercise ; and as in
13, the instructress holds the patient's foot and, with the
other hand, her knee. The instructress rotates the patient's
knee outwards, at first slightly, then in wider circles.
Practise alternately left and right.
(15) Lifting and Lowering the Pelvis (Fig. 32).
Recumbent posture, with raised knees. The instructress
supports the patient's body by placing her hands beneath
loins and buttocks. The patient then endeavours slowly to
raise her pelvis, aided by the instructress ; thus there is a
combined movement, the patient taking part without over-
exerting herself. Having lifted her pelvis so far as possible
from the couch or table, she should slowly lower it and return
to the initial posture, On no account should the pelvis be
jerked down,