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A pioneer of Mechano-therapy, Gustav Zander (1835 – 1920). The legacy of his theories and an interesting example of our days: the “Angel’s Wings” device
Luca Valerio Messa
(Kaleidoscope - Journal on the History of Culture, Science and Medicine Volume 28 - 2024/5)
This paper describes and supports the theories of Dr. Gustav Zander, a 19th century Swedish physician and precursor of mechanotherapy, who made great strides in Medical Science by believing that many diseases could be countered or cured through forced exercise. In support of his theories, Angel's Wings, the innovative device patented and manufactured by MuSclE, is described. Angel's Wings is unique in its anatomical and muscular targets, and is designed to counteract the symptoms and rehabilitate the motor skills even of those with Parkinson's disease. Angel's Wings is an example of the value of Dr. Zander's theories because it has been clinically validated and is already being used in specialized medical centers.
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Mirroring Michelangelo, finding Galen: the ancient anatomical theory of the soul and its possible influence on The Creation of Adam
Luca Valerio Messa
(Kaleidoscope - Journal on the History of Culture, Science and Medicine Volume 26 - 2023/5)
This paper describes a new hypothesis of anatomical observation of The Creation of Adam, based on the theories of Galen, whose beliefs were still influential during the Renaissance. It is to reflect on the fact that the medical research carried out by Galen may have influenced many fields of knowledge and Art and even the work of Michelangelo. More generally, in fact, the study of Human Anatomy since antiquity has undoubtedly influenced in important ways many fields of interest to Human Being.
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Changes in corticomotor pathway excitability after exercise training in Parkinson’s disease
Federica Ginanneschi, Luca Valerio Messa, Carla Battisti, Alessandro Rossi
(Neurological Sciences, 2021)
This work further confirms the peculiar utility of physical exercise, in particular carried out with Angel's Wings, for people with Parkinson's disease. It is shown how, after an appropriate training period, the cortico-motor excitability threshold undergoes positive changes, resulting in a marked improvement in the movement control by each participant in the study.
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Functional and Brain Activation Changes Following Specialized Upper-Limb Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease
Luca Valerio Messa, Federica Ginanneschi, Davide Momi, Lucia Monti, Carla Battisti, David Cioncoloni, Barbara Pucci, Emiliano Santarnecchi and Alessandro Rossi
(Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2019, Vol. 13, Art. 350)
This work describes a 5-year study in which the usefulness of Angel's Wings was validated and demonstrated for people with Parkinson's disease, observed before, during and after an appropriate period of use of the device. The clinical scales and instrumental examinations showed a marked improvement in the quality of life of each participant in the study and significant improvements in motor skills, balance control, brain connectivity and cerebral blood flow. Consequently, this study showed how the inclusion of Angel's Wings in the lifestyle of a person with Parkinson's disease leads to an overall improvement that also includes the psychological sphere of the person.
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Tailored Exercise with an Innovative Mechanical Device: Effects on Cervical-Dorsal Rachis
Luca Valerio Messa, Alessandro Biffi, Fredrick Fernando, Federica Ginanneschi and Alessandro Rossi
(Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 2016, 1, 183–192)
In this work, carried out in collaboration with Med-Ex - Medical Partner Scuderia Ferrari - the benefits of using Angel's Wings by Formula 1 drivers, pit stop mechanics and employees of other divisions of Ferrari S.p.A. were evaluated. Angel's Wings has therefore been shown to be useful not only for people who carry out physically active and strenuous jobs (often characterized by biomechanical overload), but also for those who perform their duties in a more sedentary way (eg programmers, those who work a lot at desk, etc.).
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Evidence of the possibility to contract the Lower Trapezius, relaxing the Upper Trapezius, and implications on Posture through the use of an innovative mechanical device for physical training
L. V. Messa, F. Barberis, C. Paradiso, S. Paddeu, S. Mardessich, U. Arrigucci, M. Bonifazi
(icSPORTS 2014 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - Rome, Italy - 2014)
This study demonstrates how Angel's Wings is the only mechanical configuration capable of allowing a clear fractionation in the work of the Trapezius muscle: in particular, the upper section relaxes and maintains a state of greater well-being even in the post-exercise phase. For the first time it is described the fact that, thanks to its particular and unique effect, Angel's Wings was chosen by the Italian Swimming Federation and included in the training programs of highly qualified athletes (i.e. Olympians).
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Is it possible that get closer to golden ratio means to be more healty? A study of proportions of the human body through Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Messa Luca Valerio, Paradiso Claudio, Messa Enrico Matteo, Messa GianLuca, Arrigucci Umberto
(RAD 2014 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - Niš, Serbia - 2014)
A reflection on the proportion of vertebrae analyzed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging is proposed: getting closer to the golden section there would also be fewer cases of hernias or protrusions. Since the golden section is a numerical proportion that often returns to the human body (see also the studies in the world of Anatomy and Art, from Leonardo to Botticelli), it is highlighted that the continuous use of Angel's Wings acts not only for the reduction of pain and contractures, but also for the optimization of motor skills - also allowing a better proportion in the "aesthetic functionality" of the human body.
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Proposed use of Magnetic Resonance in the evaluation of the safety of mechanical device for physical training: a study of subjects undergoing training with experimental apparatus
Messa Luca Valerio, Paradiso Claudio, Messa Enrico Matteo, Messa GianLuca, Arrigucci Umberto
(RAD 2012 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - Niš, Serbia - 2012)
In this first study, the morphological changes and benefits induced by training with Angel's Wings were evaluated, proposing MRI as a safe method to quantify the pros and cons of any type of physical training.
(curiosity: this article was selected as one of the 9 best scientific contributions on over 150 presentations from all over the world. http://www.rad2012.rad-conference.org/bestpapers.php)
Theses
"Analysis of the Angel's Wings device and of its effects on the cervical/dorsal spine"
Study on the mechanical analysis of the Angel's Wings structure and its biomechanical implications on the cervical-dorsal spine and in general on the human body, with reference to the previous bibliography.
University of Pisa - Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019/2020
"Changes in cortico-spinal pathway excitability after exercise with Angel's Wings in Parkinson's disease"
Pilot study on the monitoring of the improvement of the excitability of the cortico-spinal pathway by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in people with Parkinson's disease undergoing a structured training protocol with Angel's Wings.
University of Siena - Degree Course in Physiotherapy
ACADEMIC YEAR 2018/2019
"Conditioning effects of sensorimotor integration in posture control in subjects with Parkinson's disease"
Extensive study on people with Parkinson's disease subjected to a structured training program with the Angel's Wings device and monitored with multiple clinical and instrumental examinations, including computerized dynamic posturography, highlighting in particular a marked improvement in balance control by study participants.
University of Siena - Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery
ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/2017
"New device with action on the cervical-dorsal section: application on patients with Parkinson's disease"
Preliminary study to analyze the first results and benefits found in people with Parkinson's disease who were subjected to an experimental protocol using Angel's Wings.
University of Siena - Degree Course in Physiotherapy
ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015
"Multiple instrumental analysis of Trapezius muscle activity and upper limbs movement during exercise with a new mechanical device"
"Pilot study" that demonstrated that Angel's Wings was the only mechanical configuration capable of creating a distinct split in the activity of the Trapezius muscle, specifically between its upper and lower portions. The demonstration of this, and of how the portions of the Trapezius muscle behaved as "distinct muscles" (even as if they were antagonistic muscles) during this exercise, opened the door for a new chapter in Biomechanics.
University of Genoa - Master of Science in Neuroengineering
ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013
