The Problems

Remarks | Positive Health | Elongation Program

Remarks

Established practices of the medical profession must change constantly in order to apply the results of increased medical knowledge. To continue methodical search for solving the unknown is a noteworthy endeavor. Yet many times we become so engrossed in these pursuits that the ordinary, garden-variety or "run of the mill" problems which actually affect most people daily, are slighted or given a subordinate rating of importance. For a time, this was the sad story of our search for an answer to the low back problem.

However, political, economic and philosophical changes have forced a realignment in employee-employer relations. The trend in industrial medicine is slowly, but unfailingly progressing toward total industrial and non-industrial care of the employed, even the retired. Certainly insurances have not provided a satisfactory solution. This has forced the medical profession to face squarely the unanswered brick wall of over-all situational stress problems, both physical and mental. Ready replacements for terminated employees are practically a luxury of the past. Long term employment of the mass of workers is attendant with health problems of a different scope. As one writer aptly states, "Industrial medicine will soon encompass the care of the individual from insemination to dissemination." Phrase it as you will, medicine will drift downstream if it doesn't row constantly with all the oars of human benefactory.

It is high time that industry and America as a whole does more than show concern over the physical status of its population. The Selective Service recently published a report which indicates that over 60% of draftees from the 18 and 19 year age group were unfit for unlimited service. These are the people that industry must hire.

Positive Health

There is a difference between positive health and absence of disease. Positive health entails habits of temperance in tobacco, alcohol and diet. It abhors obesity. It gives respite from repetitive daily routines by relaxations, avocations and physical activity It decries over-solicitude about our health yet encourages us to take normal regard for well being.

Adequate exercise is equally as important in health habits as adequate sleep and food. Hard work per se never physically hurt any healthy human being in spite of the dubious decisions by industrial commissions and courts on such unassociated counts as coronary thrombosis or high blood pressure. Physical work, on the other hand, is probably the most potent factor in maintaining physical, mental and emotional vigor. Thus, indirectly as well as directly, industrial medicine is charged with preventive medicine.

Application Of Elongation Program

As stated in the authors' preface the elongation program, i.e., connective tissue elongative loosening, can be capably administered by any registered nurse. The inherent intelligence and common sense which are prerequisites to earning the R.N. degree are also the basic requirements necessary to assure success of the program. Obviously an interest in the welfare of fellow man is important, but without this attribute, the individual would have undoubtedly followed another enterprise.

The program is not untried; Consolidated-Vultee, Union Oil Company, American Telephone and Telegraph, Los Angeles Public School System, University of California in Los Angeles, Baker Oil Tool Company, and Knudsen Creamery have blessed the plan. Untold amounts of money were outlaid for this type of program by the U. S. Army and Navy during World War II. Unfortunately, postwar economy moves precluded its ultimate fruition.

At Alton, Illinois, the program has been strikingly successful. The plan has been engineered, systematized and sold to key personnel to the extent that foremen in the plant can recognize mild complaints and earliest inklings of impending trouble. The foremen then advises the worker involved to step back from his job and do a half minute of elongation movements. If this is unsuccessful, the worker is sent to the doctor. This is the marrow of preventive medicine.

In the induction and orientation of newly hired employees, specific exercises for the particular job are prescribed even before the hireling has actually started to work. The employee seems much more receptive at this stage of his work life. He is instructed on proper manner of lifting and encouraged to keep his body in fettle by using the program of "preventive maintenance." He is issued safety apparatus and is taught that these are an integral part of his working equipment. Above all, he is led to realize that medical service is at his disposal, yet his own faithful adherence to the program is the keynote of his physical well being.

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