Hua Tuo was a famous physician and pharmacist at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the founder of medical gymnastics in China. When he was young, he studied abroad and studied medicine. A celebrity recommended him to be an official, but he refused. He decided to become a doctor and relieve people's pain.

Huatuo practiced medicine all over Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu and other places, and was deeply respected by the masses and enjoyed a high reputation. Proficient in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, acupuncture, especially in surgery; Acupuncture and medication are simple and effective.

Huatuo used Mafeisan to treat gastrointestinal stagnation and other diseases, and underwent abdominal surgery after anesthesia. This reflects that in the 2nd century AD, Chinese medicine has made considerable achievements in anesthesia methods and surgery, and Hua Tuo is also regarded as a pioneer in applying anesthesia to surgery in the world.

Hua Tuo is not only proficient in anesthesia and various medical skills, but also knows that physical exercise is an effective way to actively prevent diseases. Once, when he was reading a book in his study, he saw a child playing with the latch, which reminded him of an old saying, "The walls of a family are not ants, and running water does not rot." He believes that most diseases are caused by poor circulation of qi and blood. If the human body is also active frequently, so that the qi and blood are smooth, it will be impossible to keep healthy and it will not be easy to get sick.

From then on, Hua Tuo got up early every day, did some activities in the yard, stretched his arms, lifted his legs, bent down and twisted his neck. He has been reading and seeing a doctor for a long time, and he also stands up and moves. He felt comfortable and refreshed after the activity.

One day, Hua Tuo was not feeling well, as if he had caught a cold. After a while, he sweated slightly. After a few hours, his head stopped hurting and his body relaxed. Therefore, whenever he has time, he studies ways to exercise.

Referring to the previous Introduction, Hua Tuo sorted out a set of boxing methods for fitness. He once said to his disciple Upp: "The human body wants to work, but it should not use its extreme ears. Shaking, stagnation of grain qi, blood circulation, illness, such as Hu Shu, will never die. It is the ancient immortals who are the guides and bears who are the protectors, leading their waists and moving their joints to get old. "

While affirming the theory of guiding health preservation, Hua Tuo created a set of "Five Animal Plays" in practice. Wuqinxi, also known as Five Birds Qigong, Five Birds Exercise and Hundred Steps Chinese Opera. His wuqinxi belongs to health gymnastics.

Hua Tuo said that his "Five Birds Play" refers to tigers, deer, bears, apes and birds. It is also a guide to eliminate diseases and benefit hoofs and feet. If you are unhappy, you will play the role of a bird, just sweating, your body is light and you want to eat. "

When imitating the movements of tigers, deer, bears, apes and birds, Wuqinxi mostly falls to the ground and has a large amount of activities. Practice playing tigers and learn the tiger's vitality and courage. Regular practice can lengthen strength, thicken limbs and enhance the functions of tendons, bones and waist and hip joints; Practice deer play, stretch, relax muscles and tendons, strengthen kidney and waist; Practicing bear play, walking steadily and circulating blood can broaden your mind and enhance your memory; Practice ape play, jump freely, light hands and feet, and strengthen the spleen and stomach; Practicing bird play and imitating the lightness of birds can improve the balance function and increase the vital capacity.

After Hua Tuo made up this set of gymnastics five birds play, he kept practicing every day, which made him full of energy all his life. When he was practicing medicine in Xudu in his later years, his apprentice Upp made a special trip to visit him. Upp saw that the teacher he had left for many years was old, but he was still laughing like that, with bright ears and clear eyes, and was born without disease. Therefore, Upp asked Hua Tuo for advice on how to keep fit.

Hua Tuo said to Upp: "People's bodies should exercise regularly, so that nutrients produced by the gastrointestinal tract can be fully absorbed by all parts of the body, blood vessels can be unimpeded, and diseases can be prevented at the same time. Do you know the truth that family members are not idiots? People's health can only be maintained through regular exercise. As a doctor, we should not only treat diseases, but also often introduce the methods and principles of exercise, disease prevention and fitness. So I made up the' Five-Animal Show' and practiced it for decades, which yielded great results. This is also the reason why I am old and enduring. "

Upp begged the teacher to teach him "Five Animals Show". Hua Tuo talked about the basic movement essentials of Hu Yue, Lu Chi, Kumamoto, Ape Climbing and Bird Xiang, and taught Wu Pu the "Five Birds Play" in detail. From then on, Upp kept in mind Hua Tuo's teachings and persisted in practicing for many years without interruption.

Upp's body is getting stronger and stronger. When he is old, compared with the old people of the same age, he has bright ears, strong teeth, good health and full of energy. He is nearly eighty years old, and he can still wander among the people and treat the people. Upp has lived for more than 90 years, and he is a veritable long-lived old man.

The later Han Dynasty said that Hua Tuo was "a hundred years old". His disciple Upp "is over ninety years old, with smart eyes and ears and complete teeth." It shows that "Wuqinxi" has great fitness function.