They say, “The roots of old trees wither first, and the legs of old people weaken first.”
Many people pay special attention to supplementing calcium, and we are often asked: what to eat to supplement osteoporosis? Which brand of calcium tablets is good?
I do not recommend everyone to buy expensive supplements. Let’s look at an example first: a 96-year-old national master of Chinese medicine has bone density far exceeding that of a 60-year-old, not relying on calcium tablets but on massage!
Guo Chengjie (left)
Formerly a professor, postgraduate tutor, and director of the Acupuncture Department at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine (now Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine), in 1989 was awarded the honorary title of “one of the first 500 national academic inheritors and teachers of old Chinese medicine” by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Ministry of Personnel, and enjoys a special allowance from the State Council.
In May 2008, he was awarded the title of “Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner of Shaanxi Province.” In 2014, he was evaluated as the second “National Master of Chinese Medicine.”
Let’s take a look at the leg bone care method that healed 80-year-old Guo Chengjie’s fractured leg in 60 days:
Rubbing legs back and forth
<Method guidance>
Sit down and rub the legs back and forth, rubbing all the way down to the calves. Depending on your condition, rub 20-30 times.
<Effect>
Strong bones depend on strong muscles; muscles are the guardians of bones. Once people are over 40, their muscle mass begins to decrease annually by 0.5% to 2%. Many elderly people have weak legs not because of poor bones, but due to a lack of leg muscles.
<Guidance by Guo Chengjie>
Guo Laoshi (Teacher Guo) stated that the purpose of rubbing from the thighs to the calves is to promote vigorous blood flow, enhance blood circulation, strengthen muscles so that bones naturally fare well.
Lifting legs
<Method guidance>
Sit down and lift each leg alternately, lift over 20 times a day, lift up to the horizontal position, pause for over ten seconds, do this routine in the morning and evening.
<Guidance by Guo Chengjie>
When lifting the legs, the quadriceps will be stretched, and the repeated stretching and relaxation, muscle movement stimulate bones. Being more active helps increase bone capacity and calcium storage.
Another hand’s four-point pressure method
Teacher Guo Chengjie also mentioned that he used to have patella softening. Patella softening causing knee pain while going up and down stairs. They later began applying pressure and rubbing.
By using the following method and not taking any medicine, as medication can be effective, this knee joint method is beneficial and effective for everyone.
If you start taking care of yourself in your 40s or 50s, it will benefit you in the future. I am now in my 90s, my knee joints are not particularly excellent, but they are still fine.
<Pressure the knee joints, single hand, four-point pressure locations>
Press down hard on the inner and outer knee (two points under the kneecap), Lianqiu (two fingers on the outer side of the knee cap), and Xuehai (two fingers on the upper inner side of the knee) – these are particularly effective for patella softening.
<Pressure method>
Use one hand to press four acupressure points, with the index finger controlling the inner knee point, the ring finger controlling the outer knee point, the thumb controlling Xuehai, and the little finger or ring finger controlling Lianqiu, press and knead directly. Additionally, reinforce the pressure, then use both thumbs to rub the inner and outer knee points once.
Guo Laoshi (Teacher Guo) noted that this is a health method where results are not immediate; however, regular pressure and rubbing are very effective. Avoid circular motions but instead press upward. Perform this for 5-6 minutes each time, especially useful when your knees feel cold.
Guo Laoshi (Teacher Guo) noted that this is a health method where results are not immediate; however, regular pressure and rubbing are very effective. Avoid circular motions but instead press upward. Perform this for 5-6 minutes each time, especially useful when your knees feel cold.
Legs act as the second heart aiding in blood circulation, delaying aging
Strengthening one’s lower limbs can not only maintain strong bones and good leg health but also protect the heart.
Professor Liu Changxin, Director of the Massage and Pain Department at Dongzhimen Hospital of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, said,
Taking care of the calves is like adding a “pump” to the lower body, assisting the heart.
Chinese Academy of Chinese Sciences health expert and professor Yang Li pointed out:
Fifty percent of the body’s nerves, blood vessels, and blood are in the legs. There are over 60 acupoints on the calves, and the six important meridians, including the Foot Three Yang and Foot Three Yin meridians, pass through the calves, serving as vital pathways in maintaining the circulation of Qi and blood.
Many diseases manifest themselves on the calves: calf cramps may be related to calcium deficiency, swelling may indicate organ issues, and coldness signifies a weak constitution. Early detection of symptoms facilitates early disease prevention and treatment.
A study by King’s College London researchers found that stronger leg muscles lead to a healthier brain. In a 10-year study involving 324 pairs of elderly female twins, the one with stronger leg muscles exhibited better cognitive abilities and less brain degeneration after a decade.
Previous animal studies have shown that exercising muscles can release hormones that promote nerve cell growth. Studies from various countries have indicated a close relationship between healthy leg muscles and the well-being of vital organs such as the heart, spine, liver, and kidneys!
Regular leg exercise can enhance blood flow to all tissues and organs in the body, improve blood supply, prevent various conditions including strokes, coronary heart disease, lumbar disc herniation, and presbyopia.
