FITNESS & SLIMMING AIR-BELT
"XXX Air-Belt"
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EVIDENCE (OR LACK) OF SCIENCTIFIC PRINCIPLES
Vibration Using Air Pressure As A Mean Of Massaging
One of the most useful forms of mechanical massage is in the form of mechanical vibration (variation of air pressure). The highest rate of movement which can be attained by the hand is ten to twelve to-and-fro movements per second, whereas, by the use of mechanical, electrical, or acoustic devices, effective vibratory movements may be produced at any rate desired between forty or fifty per second to ten times that number. Vibratory movements forcibly communicated to the body at the rate of sixty per second, have been shown to produce at first a distinct muscular contraction with each oscillation; but if the vibration is long continued, the individual contractions become gradually less distinct, and after a time merge one into another, so that the contractions become continuous, or tetanic. From this fact it is apparent that mechanical vibration is capable of producing very decided physiological results as a mode of exercise; and that it exercises a powerful influence upon the circulation is a frequent observation.
Carefully conducted experiments have shown that the temperature of a part subjected to mechanical vibration is actually increased, the amount of the increase depending upon the length of the application, and the degree of depression below the normal temperature at the start. Vibration is also one of the most efficient means acquainted for relieving the great variety of paraesthesias from which neurasthenic patients suffer, such as numbness, formication, tingling, etc.
Effect Of Massage Upon The Nervous System
Different procedures of massage produce a decided effect upon the nervous system through the influence of the manipulations upon the nerve endings of both the cerebro-spinal and the sympathetic nerves. These nerves endings are found in great abundance in the skin and muscles-the former in connection with the special senses of locality, temperature, pressure, and weight; the latter more especially in connection with the glands, blood vessels, and thermic mechanism located in the skin and muscles.
Direct Stimulating Effects - Vibration and nerve compression may be made to act directly upon nerve trunks, thereby causing powerful stimulation not only of the peripheral nerves but of all the nerve centers with which a nerve trunk is connected.
Reflex Effects - The reflex effects of massage are very remarkable and exceedingly interesting. All the procedures of massage produce powerful reflex effects. Some of the most striking effects are produced by very light stroking, especially when applied to certain reflex areas which include not simply muscular action, but increase or decrease of vascular and glandular activity, and general tissue change.
Sedative Effects - The sedative effects of massage are equally as marked as the stimulating effects. By relieving pain in the same manner as does strong faradization, by tiring out and thus obtunding nerve sensibility. Sedative effects are also produced (so called hypnotic) diminishes the blood supply of the brain, and hence lessens cerebral activity.
Restorative or Reconstructive Effects - Mental fatigue is relieved by massage, through its effect upon the circulation and the eliminative organs. The toxic substances produced by mental activity, are more rapidly oxidized and removed from the body, while the hastened blood current more thoroughly repairs and cleanses the wearied nerve tissues. General reconstructive effects are experienced by the entire nervous system through the improved nutrition induced by massage.
Effects Of Massage Upon The Muscular System
To Encourage Nutrition and Development of the Muscles - The increased blood supply of the muscle induced by massage naturally improves its nutrition. Experience shows that, when systematically and regularly employed, massage produces an actual increase in the size of the muscular structures. The muscle is also found to become firmer and more elastic under its influence.
To Excite Muscular Contraction - A smart blow upon a muscle is one of the ways by which contraction may be excited. By a succession of blows, one following another with sufficient rapidity, tetanic contraction of a muscle may be induced. Strong vibration will also cause tetanic contraction of a muscle; but very rapid and strong vibrations are required to produce tetanus. In voluntary tetanus (ordinary muscular contraction) the number of impulses received by the muscle per second is ten to twenty. It is evident that the rate of vibration required for producing tetanus must be as great or greater and consequently mechanical means of some sort must be applied, as the highest rate of movement which can be communicated by the hand directly is ten to twelve double movements per second.
To Increase Electro-excitability of the Muscle - Numerous experiments have shown that massage increases the electro-excitability of a muscle, as indicated by the fact that a smaller number of milliamperes of current is required to cause contraction of the muscle after massage than before. This effect of massage may be advantageously utilized as a preparation for applications of electricity in cases in which the electro-excitability of a muscle is diminished by trophic changes, as in infantile paralysis.
To Remove the Effects of Muscular Fatigue - Ranke, Helmholtz, Du Bois-Raymond, Mosso, and more recently, Abelous, have conclusively shown that special toxic substances are produced as the result of muscle work, and that the phenomena of fatigue are due to the influence of these substances upon the nervous and muscular systems. Abelous has shown that the first effect is a sort of auto-curarization, or paralysis, of the terminal motor plates of the nerves which actuate the muscles, while in advanced fatigue the muscle itself is exhausted by the consumption of the material (glycogen) necessary for work. The fact that a fatigued muscle can be restored to full vigor at once by simply rinsing its vessels with a normal saline solution, as shown by Ranke, demonstrates the toxic character of the phenomena of fatigue. Bowditch, Bernstein, and others have shown that the nerve itself is indefatigable.
Muscular Electricity - Physiological experiments have demonstrated that with each muscular contraction an electrical discharge takes place, and Mervy has shown that a muscle is a sort of electrical accumulator, electricity doubtless being generated by the muscular and thermic activities which are constantly present in the muscle. As an accumulator it is auto-excitant, and may also be excited by induction or by contact. In this way the muscles of the person mass�ed may be favorably influenced through induction from the more highly charged muscles of the masseur. This influence, however, must be very slight, and its therapeutic value can scarcely be said to be established.
Far-Infra Red And Its Warming Effect
Far Infrared Rays (FIR), a part of natural sunlight having the longest wavelength, cannot be seen with the naked eye. Although FIR cannot be seen with the naked eye, it has the ability to penetrate, refract, radiate and reflect. The human body can absorb FIR because of FIR's deep penetrating ability.
All matter is made up of uniquely arranged atoms and molecules and the molecules are all moving in unison. Molecules are composed of atoms. There is a continuous cyclical vibration among and between those atoms. When molecules are illuminated with electromagnetic radiation of the same intrinsic vibration frequency as the substance itself, the electromagnetic wave energy is absorbed and the amplitude of that substance's molecular vibration is increased.
The increased vibration produces heat through friction. Many organic molecules have the same intrinsic vibration frequency as FIR. That's why when FIR, having the same vibration frequency, illuminates a substance, that substance will filter out the FIR and experience a "resonance absorption." This is a process known as "resonance-absorbtion to heat-generation" with the aid of FIR.
In other words, the vibration of atoms and molecules will generate heat and result in resonance absorption. In skin, the result will be elevated dermis temperature, expanded blood capillaries, and stimulated blood circulation. Metabolic disturbances, such as extravasated blood (bruising) will be scavenged, cell tissues are activated and production of enzymes is enhanced. Wastes from the aging process, the result of the natural process of metabolism, and detrimental aqueous substances will be eliminated through the sweat glands.
The warming effect of FIR can stimulate metabolism and blood circulation. It can also promote the elimination of such things as poisonous, carcinogenic heavy metals, toxic substances from food processing, lactic acid, free fatty acids, and subcutaneous fat associated with aging and fatigue, excess sodium associated with hypertension, and uric acid which causes pain. Furthermore, if sebaceous glands are activated, accumulated cosmetics in pores can be eliminated through the skin rather than by the kidneys.
The seventy-five percent of our bodies composed of water, protein, fat and other substances all must function properly to sustain life. When living things absorb FIR of 8 to 14 micron wavelength, they experience resonance absorption. The vibrating movement of molecules in living tissue produces an increase in heat energy which in turn activates cells and enhances metabolism.
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Characterization of the Far-Infra Red Ray
Radiation - It can directly reach human bodies just light does. For example, sunlight, which is also radiation, reaches earth through the vastness of space.
Deep Penetration - FIR can reach well into subcutaneous layers of the body with its deep penetration ability, generating internal warmth suitable for molecule activation in living tissue.
Resonance Absorption - Once illuminated, there is intrinsic vibration of body components - water, protein, fat, enzymes. And, the interior of molecules - atoms and atomic structures - experience the resonance absorption of FIR of their same frequency. This elevation of molecular energy is known as "resonance and absorption".
Magnetic Wave
Magnetic Field
The area in which the magnet exerts its influence is called the magnetic field. This field can be easily determined with the help of a maviar's compass, by moving it around the magnet. As all matter is composed of atoms, and as each atom is made up of a positively charged nucleus around every electrons whirl, generating a magnetic field, it is thus evident that the atoms of all matter, lining and non-living, give off electromagnet radiations of extremely short wavelength. The bioelectrical activity in the human brain is so small that it is measured in millions of a volt.
The energies from a magnet's poles help diseased cells to vibrate at the optimum level. In other words, the constant magnetic field induces diseased cells to resonate in harmony with the rest of the body. And, as the cells, with the help of the magnetic field, regain their optimum nuclear magnetic activity, abnormal signs and symptoms eventually disappeared.
Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic wave create a certain amount of electromotive force within the blood and humors (body fluids). This electroactive, force generates an electrical current which acts to increase in the ion count in the cells.
According to some researchers, the magnetic field acts upon the ion element of the blood (hemoglobin) and activates circulation of blood. It ionizes the protoplasm and activate metabolism.
Magnet therapy, in short acts in four ways:
Constant magnetic field (CMF) produced by the magnet regulates and normalizes the electrical activity of cells. Every diseased condition produces a disturbance in the bioelectric activity of these cells. Magnetic energy regulates the vibratory rate of cells.
It protects man from atmospheric electrical disturbances and harmful radiations by correcting and stabilizing the external magnetic field.
By supplying vital prank energy to weakened cells and tissues, of strength as diseased and weakened organs and improves metabolic activity.
Magnet-therapy, like Homeopathy meets disease at its very roots as the deranged energies. It is therefore curative.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO THE USER
Various claims and scientific principles may have shown the efficacy in the product, but there are always hazards to the user. The fitness and slimming belt is not suitable for every individual. The belt may cause skin irritation at the spot of application due to sweat produced during the course of operation. While there may be emphasized by the company to use the air belt with clothes on, the inability to follow the appropriate instruction may cause the irritation due to the direct contact of the belt to the skin.
Since the air-belt is electrically powered, there is always a risk of electrical hazard. As the body comes into contact with electrical source, the chances of getting an electrical shock would increase due to the sweaty condition of the body where a shock of as low as 30 volts to the body could kill. The only effective way to minimize shock is to keep the electrical equipment in good condition so that live current is fully contained.
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RECOMMENDATION TO ITS USE
The advertisers of the fitness and slimming belt claimed that the belt have gone through strict quality assurance and is safe and comfortable to use. The benefits claimed by the company includes:
Attaining a slim and attractive waistline
An improvement of the whole body and digestive system
Elimination of fatigue
if the product is used according to the instructions followed.
While the scientific principles of the fitness and slimming belt points to an effective and easy way of keeping fit and healthy, consumers should be very careful when a product is claimed to have many health benefits. A better way of maintaining the body fitness level and weight control would be by following a healthy diet and a routine exercise program. It must be noted also that the product may not produce the same weight loss effect on different individuals due to the variation of body metabolism rate and lifestyles.
REFERENCES
Bengali Neville S.(2001). Magnet Therapy Theory and Practice. India: B.Jain
Kellogg J. H. M.D (1985). The Art of Massage. Virginia: Meridian Institute
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