The regular practice of Daoyin 12  exercises the wrists and ankle joints, auto-massaging the 12 source acupoints.  They can improve the qi and blood flow through the channels, harmonise the physiological functions of yin and yang, improving the pathological immune function.

The auto=massaging of the 12 source acupoints, that play an important role  in preventing and treating diseases of the internal organs: lungs, large intestines, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidneys, triple energisers (not an organ but an important function), gallbladder and liver.

"Strengthening the inside whilst assisting the outside, concentrating on the waist." is an important characteristic of the 12-step Daoyin Health Preservation Exercises.  They first aim to improve the functions of the internal organs, thereby improving the functions of the limbs, skeleton, tendons, blood vessels, muscles, skin and bones.  "Life hinges on the waist" is a principle of these exercises, believed to prolong life to a certain degree.