care of in order to prevent Painful Obstruction Syndrome, are exercise and diet. Let us look at
each of these areas in detail.
Exercise
A proper amount of regular exercise is absolutely essential to preserve good health and mobility.
Regular exercise stimulates the circulation of Qi and Blood and keeps the sinews supple: both of
these effects contribute to prevent invasion of external pathogenic factors. In modern industrial
societies, where many people engaged in office work lead very inactive lives, proper exercise is
all the more important for good health.
The importance of exercise for health has been recognized in Chinese culture since very early
times. An ancient Chinese saying states: "Running water does not become stale; a door hinge
never gets worm-eaten" (in old China door hinges were made of wood and leather). One of the
earliest written references to exercise for health dates back to the Han dynasty and is by the
famous doctor Hua Tuo (AD 136-208). He devised five types of exercises based on the imitation
of five animals, i.e. tiger, stag, bear, monkey and crane. Each of these five exercises had a
specific beneficial effect on the body.
Generally speaking, Chinese culture refers to two types of exercise, one known as "external
exercises", the other as "internal exercises". External exercises are aimed at developing muscles
and sinews: all Western-type sports, exercises and games can be classified as such. Internal
exercises are aimed at developing Qi and "massaging" the internal organs by a coordination or
movement, breathing and concentration. Tai Ji Quan is an outstanding example of internal
exercise. It is gentle yet powerful, it exercises all muscles and sinews, makes the tendons supple,
develops Qi, massages the internal organs and quietens the mind.
It is important to realize that physical fitness and health are not synonymous. Regular practice of
Western-type of exercises such as weight-lifting or jogging may make one fit, but it does not
necessarily make one healthy, indeed the opposite may be true as will be explained later.
As far as prevention of Painful Obstruction Syndrome is concerned, both external and internal
exercises are beneficial. Indeed, a combination of the two is ideal. Apart from Tai Ji Quan, Yoga
is also an excellent type of internal exercise that develops suppleness and "massages" the internal
organs. Of the external exercises, the only ones which are not particularly beneficial are jogging,
weight-lifting, squash and aerobic exercises.
Jogging puts a strain on the spine and knees and may be a contributory factor in Painful
Obstruction Syndrome of the knees or lower back. Weight-lifting weakens Kidney-Qi: it is a
well-known axiom in Chinese Medicine that excessive lifting injures Kidney-Qi and the lower
back. Squash is good as an exercise, but, due to its extremely fast pace, it often generates more
nervous tension in already tense persons. It is frequent to see in practice tense and stressed
businessmen whose idea of relaxation is a frenetic game of squash. Aerobic exercises are simply