Sheffield Star Newspaper, UK
- 4th April 2003
What The Newspapers Say - The
Chi Machine
Wiggling your way to fitness and freedom from aches and pains sounded
intriguing. UK journalist Jo Davison decided to find out if the claims
for a Chi Machine were fishy or not...
EATING fish is supposed to be good for us. Now we're being told to move
like one. The secret of good health could lie in the wiggle. The constant,
sideways swing a fish makes with its tail could make all the difference
to niggling aches and pains, energy and stress level.
A
Japanese doctor who studied the motion of his goldfish found its
tail swing generated movement of the fish's entire spinal column and all
its muscles. Babies move their spines in a similar side-to-side motion
in their cots but as we get older we don't have much need for this serpentine
movement. Could the minor muscle aches, stressed joints and inability to
relax that make our lives a pain be a consequence?
The medic decided it could and set about inventing a magic box that
would rock us to better health. This Asian device is supposed to balance
your energy, or chi, as the ancient Chinese call it. It was developed by
the doctor, who specialised in the functions of oxygen motion in the body,
to see if it could help people with Secondary
Lymphoedema, a fluid problem caused by lymph damage. Tests
showed victims, including patients with venous oedema, received significant
relief in their symptoms. But the benefit of re-oxygenated blood pumping
swiftly through your veins is good for virtually everyone - it's what happens
to us when we exercise. The after-sensation and results are the same -
a surge of energy followed by better lymph
drainage which eliminates toxins. The Chi Machine has become more
widely
available.
Practitioners claim regular use can improve posture and backache by
correcting
the position of the spine, tone muscles and even help you lose
weight. They say specialists are thinking of promoting its use
to those with multiple sclerosis and energy-sapping
ME.
Those with depression and stress may also benefit from playing goldfish
on the carpet. A session takes 4-6 minutes and requires no skill or effort;
just switch on and lie there.
It sounded too good to be true. I hired the machine for a week. The
chi machine is a simple looking little thing. Just an electronic box that
you rest your ankles on. So simple, I'd decided, it couldn't possibly work.
But, intrepid journalist that I am, I duly laid down and switched on. Once
I'd got my ankles in a comfortable position (not easy) and my spine straight,
it vibrated my body into ripples. The actual motion swings your entire
body from side to side in a gentle, undulating fashion. At first it seems
like a silly thing to be doing. But you stop giggling as the gentle rhythm
soothes and lulls. I could feel the wiggle going from my feet right down
my legs, up my body and spine into my neck.
I laid there, head wobbling like David Grey mid-song, aware that I looked
a bit ridiculous. But after a few minutes, I didn't care; I'd gone
with the flow. And when the machine timer suddenly clicked off, I felt
quite robbed.
The instructions
said I should lie still for a few minutes afterwards. As I did so, I could
feel a tingling sensation in my legs - a boost in circulation, I assumed.
As I got up, my back felt stiff, but it soon eased. After using it a few
times, I noticed niggly aches in my back and neck were relieved each time
and, bizarrely considering I'd done nothing, the backs of my legs and my
bottom felt like they had gone through a mild workout.
Although I did feel slightly more energetic, the overriding benefit
I felt was one of relaxation. I definitely felt better for those ten-minute
sessions. In fact, the machine is quite addictive. I found myself longing
for a chi break all day.
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