Manual: Natural Therapy For Flexibility, Relaxation and Energy Balance
Manual: Natural Therapy For Flexibility, Relaxation and Energy Balance
Manual: Natural Therapy For Flexibility, Relaxation and Energy Balance
Traditional Thai
Massage Manual
Natural Therapy for flexibility, relaxation and
energy balance
Introduction
Traditional Thai massage has been practiced in more or less
its present form for at least 1,000 years. It is a member of the
whole family of Oriental bodywork, which is based on the intrinsic
energy flow and energy balance theory of health and healing.
Other members of this family include Tui Na Chinese massage and
manipulation, Ayurvedic Indian massage and Shiatsu Japanese
massage. Tui Na and Ayurvedic massage both date back over
4,000 years and it is and these systems that Thai massage has its
roots. The Indian Yogic influence is very obvious to both the
observer and recipient of this unique form of massage. Less so, is
the extremely disciplined manner in which the energy channels
known as Sen are treated. In this respect, Thai bodywork more
closely resembles Tui Na, the theory and practice of which of
already documented some 2,300 years age. The first ever
recorded Western commentary regarding Thai medicine was made
in 1690 by Simon de la Loubѐre, a French diplomat, who
observed; ‘When any person is sick at Siam he begins with
causing his whole body to be moulded by one who is skilful
herein, who gets upon the body of the sick person and tramples
him under his feet.’
The role of Thai massage
Who needs traditional Thai massage and manipulation? You do, if
your body is crying out; ‘Touch me’, ‘Stretch me’, ‘Squeeze me’, ‘Hold me’,
‘Listen to me’, ‘Comfort me’ or ‘Heal me’. Such body cries often go
unheard. This article will help you to discover how Thai bodywork can be
the answer to your body’s pleas and it could be the first important step
that leads you to seek its unique benefits.
Wat Pho, the temple is considered the first public university of Thailand,
teaching students in the fields of religion, science and literature through
murals and sculptures. The temple is home to one of the earliest
Thai massage schools.
Wat Pho is the national center for the teaching and
preservation of traditional Thai medicine. Most Thais are
Buddhists and even today they are devoted to Buddha’s teachings
compassion. Monks are still supported by gifts of food from the
people and making regular offering at the temples is regarded as
virtous. The monarchy is based on Buddhist teachings and has
enourmous popular support. The present king, Phumibol
Adulyadej, is the ninth monarchy in direct succession.
With its origins firmly rooted in Buddhist philosophy, it is
not surprising that, for much of its history, traditional Thai
massage has been regarded as a religious rite. Until quite
recently Thai massage was only officially practised by monks
which, of course, precluded women as potential recipients.
Various forms of folk massage were, and still are, practised within
families where family members massaged on another.
The Sen lines
In Thai medical theory the body’s vital life energy flows
along channels called Sen. This energy powers all the physical,
mental and emotional processes which will only function normally
when energy supply matches demand. The Chinese call this
energy ‘Qi’ and the Indians call it ‘Prana’. Any imbalance or
blockage in the distribution of this energy can cause pain and
disease. When the system is working well and energy distribution
is balanced, you feel happy, relaxed, energetic and free from
stiffness and pain.
Thai massage focuses on the main Sen channels. The
careful application of pressure along these channels helps to
release any energy blockages and stagnation. Pressing and
stretching muscles makes them more receptive to this flow.
What Thai bodywork can do for you
Yoga is generally accepted as being an effective way of
remaining healthy and flexible. However, receiving Thai bodywork
is the ultimate lazy and simple way of obtaining all the benefits of
yoga and more – without having to do it yourself. And when it is
your turn to give your partner a massage, you will also feel the
benefits of being the giver.
This article will guide you towards mastering a
comprehensive range of Thai massage and manipulation
techniques, and presents you with a flowing sequence that can be
used to maintain the body in a youthful condition. The techniques
can also be used as a healing treatment for chronic pain.
Stiffness and loss of flexibility are regarded as the inevitable
result of the ageing process in the Western world. How you feel –
physically, mentally and emotionally – is more important than
your mere physical age. Thai bodywork is unique in its ability ot
preserve youthfulness.
The secret of Thai bodywork
What is the secret of Thai bodywork? The answer is that it
enables you to press your muscles and to balance energy levels.
This is what affects flexibility and equalizes the effects of muscles
on both sides of the body. The amount of movement a muscle
can produce at a joint is determined by the difference between its
length when relaxed and when fully contracted. When muscles
are tense, they become shorter, even when you are not
conscoulsly contracting them. This can happen trhough
overworking them, by not using them enough or it could be due
to emotional temsion. Whatever the cause may be, the end result
is progressively more restricted movement and the onset of
stiffness, aches and pains which are all characteristic of the
ageing process.
Muscles that shorten and become tense can create uneven
forces on the spine – that all – important container of the spinal
cord. This, in turn, creates the back pain, neck pain and
headaches that can so easily become a regular feature of daily
life. With its unique abiblity to stretch all the most imprtant
muscles in the body systematically, Thai manipulations enable
you to achieve effects which are unlike those of any other
bodywork.
Thai bodywork should not be regarded as a mere physical
experience. Indeed, if that is all it turns out to be, then it has
largely failed to achieve its real potential. The giving and
receiving of Thai bodywork is an ideal way of providing for the
subtle, yet powerful interchange of intrinsic energy between two
individuals. It is always a two-way process, and achievement
depents on the caring and compassionate way in which it is
given. Even in this day and age, Thai bodywork is a vital
necessity for everyday life because it underpins health and well-
being. It is the perfect vehicle for two people to come together
with a view to attaining this mutual balancing of energy and life-
force. Thai bodywork embodies all the harmony and rhythm often
lacking in our lives.
Thai bodywork in practice
The many techniques used in Thai bodywork are all
designed to facilitate and stimulate the flow of intrinsic energies
and to release blockages that would otherwise preclude the
attainment of balance that is essential for maintaining a healthy,
pain-free body. In this context, ‘healthy’ and ‘pain-free’ refer not
only to the purely physical but also to the mental, emotional and
spiritual aspects of one’s being.
In this article you will find over 150 different techniques
that can be used in a massage. Feet, palms, thumbs, elbows and
knees are all used to apply deep pressure along the Sen. Other,
quite different techniques, are used to apply twists and stretches,
and these resemble a kind of applied yoga. At all times the pace
is measured and unhurried. When moving from one technique to
the next, the movement should be rhythmical, flowing,
harmonious and smooth.
Thai bodywork starts in the supine position – lying on the
back – and then each side is worked. This is followed by the
prone position – lying face downwards – and the sequence
finishes in the sitting position. This routine always begins with the
feet, which are subjected to a variety of presses, stretches and
flexion that would even surpise a reflexologist! The legs are
systematically positioned through a range of postures that
present the energy channels to their best advantage.
However, it is for its manipulations that Thai bodywork is
renowned. These are designed to stretch every accesible muscle
just a little more than it would normally be stretched under the
action of strongly contracting antagonistic muscles. In the
precess, all the principal joints are likewise moved just a little
more than when they are operating under their own muscle
power.
Touch me, stretch me
Tuoch is one of the greatest medicines. It soothes, releases
and comforts. Our wholeness is nourished by frequent and
regular does of this all-pervading medicine.
In this context, wholeness includes spiritual and emotional
aspects as well as the more easily observed physical ones. When
looked at with a knowledge of Western medicine, it is easly to see
how massage and mnipulation can stimulate the flow of blood and
lymph (tissu fluid), warm the tissues, improve flexibility and ease
pain, all of which are essentially physical.
Such is the power of touch that it also reaches far into the
hidden recesses of our being. It has been shown that touch can
result in the release of chemical substances within the nervous
system called endorphins, which counteract pain and produce a
poweful feeling of well-being.
Thai bodywork involves different forms of touch – pressing,
stretching and twisting – which have been honed to perfection over the
ages. Those who receive Thai bodywork regularly will experience feelings
of relaxation, peace of mind, happiness, flexibility and youthfulness.
Heal me
The word ‘heal’ suggests ill health or disease, but its meaning in the
context in which it is used here requires a much wider definition of health
than is commonly recognized. Health is not just physical well-being or
general lack of disease; it is a statement regarding the balance that exists
between all those factors which contribute to our sense of ‘wholeness’,
both internal and external. Whilst it would be difficult to give any accurate,
all-embracing definition of what constitutes health, it is characterized by
feelings of vitality, flexibility, freedom from pain, contentment and a sense
of wholeness.
The healthy person has, above all else, a balance in his or her life.
One of the adverse spin-offs from life in the fast lane is a disturbance of his
balance and when this happens, one has to have time and space in which
to restore that elusive equilibrium. Sharing Thai bodywork with a partner or
receiving it from a qualified practitioner is certainly one of the most
effective means of doing this.
Stay young, stay healthy
Pain is the biggest single obstacle to happiness and pain of any kind,
at any level, is a reflection of imbalance. This results from too much of
some things and not enough of others. The body will experience pain if, for
example, it has too much rich food or too much violent exercise. But pains
of no less a magnitude will be experienced if insufficient food is eaten and
no exercise is taken. Pain will also be experienced when the desires of the
mind remain unfulfilled but equally intense pain will be felt when desire is
so restricted that there is no driving force for any progress.
These are two of the descriptive epigraphs that were etched in stone by
order of King Rama III. The complete series can be seen at Wat Pho and
represents all the surviving ancient texts on Thai traditional massage.
The quest for health should be regarded as the search for balance in
every facet of our lives. Rest and relaxation are wonderful ways of calming
the mind and body to help this balancing process which we commonly call
‘healing’ and there are many things that we can do in our daily lives which
can help to make it happen. Receiving Thai bodywork is one of them.
Simultaneously, Thai bodywork can give a sublimely rhythmical workout
that perfectly balances the body’s need for movement and stretching,
whilst it also provides a relaxed state in which excessive worry and desire
seem to evaporate away.
‘The Four Divine States of Consciousness’
According to earlier mentioning, traditional Thai massage was
originally practised in Buddhist temples because of its religious significance.
It was regarded as one of the many ways of working towards the ‘Four
Divine States of Consciousness’ and for Buddhists these are a necessary
prerequisite for complete happiness. The qualities embodied in these states
are:
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THE MUSCLES
TARGETS FOR THE THAI THERAPIST
Ageing is often more to do with how we feel than with the
passage of time. Decreasing flexibility, stiffness, tension, aches
and pains all contribute to the feeling of getting old. Most chronic
pain – even headaches – is associated with the musculo-skeletal
system and originates from muscles which remain contracted
(stay shortened) even in their ‘relaxed’ state. Muscles are the
anatomical targets of the Thai masseur.
Skeletal muscle is contractile tissue. It provides the force
(effort) for all voluntary movement. Muscles are attached to bone
(or sometimes connective tissue or cartilage) by means of
tendons. These are flexible and enormously strong, inelastic
structures that arise from the connective tissue that covers the
muscles. At their outer ends, tendons fuse with connective tissue
that covers the bone or cartilage. Whenever a muscle contracts, it
shortens and this creates a pull that is transmitted through the
tendons to bring about movement.
The superficial muscles of the body
In the living body, the superficial muscles cover layers of deep
muscles which, in turn, may cover even deeper muscles. Seen here, the
relationship between the body’s natural curves and the superficial muscles
beneath the skin and subcutaneous fat is clear. Some deep muscles
(shaded orange) can be glimpsed beneath the superficial muscles.
How Muscles Work
Muscles act on the bones, and these form a very complex system of
levers. A muscle is usually attached by its tendons to the bones positioned
on either side of a joint. Whenever the muscle contracts, the joint acts like
a pivot and movement is created between the bones.
Muscle cannot work by itself; it depends upon many other tissues,
such as myofascia. This not only provides the outer covering for the muscle
but also penetrates deeply within the muscle, binding together bundles of
muscle fibers and carrying nerves and blood capillaries deep into the
muscle tissue. Indeed, all the organs of the body depend upon connective
tissue for support and to bind their various components together. It is
connective tissue that forms the supporting framework for the dense
network of blood capillaries, nerves and lymph vessels that are essential
components of the muscular system. It also provides the ultra-smooth
surfaces that enable each muscle to move against its neighbors occur
when this property of the connective tissue is disturbed.
What is a muscle?
A muscle is a bundle of vast numbers of muscle fibers, all arranged
lengthwise and parallel with one another. Muscle fibers are the basic
contractile elements within muscles. All muscle fibers have the ability to
contract and thus shorten. They contract in an ‘all-or-nothing’ way and it is
not possible for a muscle fiber to contract just a little. Full contraction or no
contraction are the only two possibilities.
Different muscle fibers respond in different ways to the impulses that
arrive through motor nerves. Some have what is called low threshold
response. This means that they contract under very low frequency of
motor-nerve stimulation. Others are far less sensitive and need much
higher frequency stimulation. These are said to have a high threshold.
Within the same muscle there are muscle fibers with differing thresholds,
to cover the complete spectrum, from low to high. The different response
thresholds of the individual muscle fibers allow the muscle to contract
smoothly and progressively as more of them come into action as motor-
nerve stimulation increases.
Functional muscle groups
Smooth, variable, co-ordinated movement results from muscles
functioning in groups. A group that flexes a joint, for example, interacts
with and opposes the action of one that extends it. Two such groups of
muscles are said to be antagonistic. Biceps and triceps are the main
muscles from the antagonistic groups that flex and extend the elbow.
Other major functional groups are the quadriceps muscles, which extend
the knee and flex the thigh, and the hamstring muscles, which flex the
knee and extend the thigh. Each of the four quadriceps and three
hamstring muscles works slightly differently from the others to include a
degree of rotation in either direction.
Muscles at rest
Muscles can only contract, they cannot actively stretch. When a
muscle stops contracting it depends on its antagonists to stretch it back to
its normal relaxed length when they contract. Even an apparently relaxed
muscle has a small proportion of its fiber in a contracted state. These give
a muscle its tone. Muscle tone depends on a constant, low-frequency
motor-nerve stimulation that originates in the brain. It is just enough to
keep the lowest-threshold fibers contracted. Any disturbance of normal
tone can seriously affect muscle function. Deficient tone makes the muscle
limp and flaccid so that part of its potential contraction is used to ‘take up
the slack’ instead of producing movement. Too much tone deceives the
brain into thinking that the muscle is contracting, and so inhibits some of
the contractile ability of the antagonists, which gradually weaken as a
result.
The Therapeutic Effects of Thai Bodywork
Pressing and stretching are where Thai bodywork excels. At this point
it is appropriate to look at what happens to our muscles and how pressing
and stretching can help them. One of the most common muscle problems
is a gradual shortening of the relaxed muscle length. This has many
causes. Those who or weight training in the gym can develop muscles with
higher than normal tone. This is due to increased numbers of muscle fibers
remaining contracted, even when the muscle is in its ‘relaxed’ state. Other
factors such as injury, poor posture and emotional stress can also cause
this to happen.
The most immediate effect of muscle shortening is reduced
movement at the joint where the muscle works. This is because the
difference between the relaxed length and the contracted length of the
muscle is less than it should be. Unfortunately, it is this difference that
determines how much movement the muscle can produce, so stiffness and
reduced joint mobility is the result of muscle shortening.
Other unpleasant conditions can also prevail. When a muscle
becomes tense and shortened, its spindle organs send impulses to the
brain which tell it that the muscle is in a state of contraction. The brain
now responds by reducing motor stimulation to its antagonistic muscle.
This muscle now loses tone and, if the condition persists, it will gradually
weaken. Soon it will not even match the strength of its antagonist, which
will shorten still further since it will not be pulled hard enough to stretch it.
A state of imbalance quickly results which, in some cases, can produce
postural problems leading to chronic pain.
This is not yet the end of the story! The myofascia has large areas
between its cells which contain fibers. Some of these are elastic; some are
not. The non-elastic ones serve to strengthen the tissue. As a muscle
shortens, the myofascia contracts and shortens with it. Gradually it loses
some of its elasticity, if it is not repeatedly stretched to what should be the
correct relaxed length of the muscle. Elastic fibers become replaced by the
non-elastic kind and the tissue becomes slightly wrinkled. Movement of the
neighboring tissues becomes less smooth and this can cause discomfort
which can also lead to abnormal use of the affected parts. As the
myofascia shrinks due to lack of stretching, it thickens and becomes
fibrotic, impeding normal muscle stretching movement and joint mobility.
All these interrelated effects mean pain, stiffness, lowered resistance to
joint injury and reduced performance on the sports field.
The benefits of pressing and stretching
The deep presses of Thai bodywork squash the muscles, stretching
the myofascia sideways. This helps to break down fibrotic tissue and
stimulates the production of elastic fibers. Blood flow through the
myofascial capillaries is enhanced and energy flow through the Sen is
improved. These changes help to alleviate pain and make all the tissues
amenable to the effects of stretching that are to follow.
The large-scale, sustained stretches that characterize Thai
manipulations are applied in myriad different directions. The practitioner
constantly changes the angle of approach by altering the relative positions
of different parts of the body. Stretching muscle – even those that are
abnormally shortened – takes them just beyond what their normal relaxed
length would be. Muscle spindle organs respond to this by ‘telling’ the brain
that the muscle is relaxed, inhibitory nerve impulses to the antagonistic
muscles stop and they soon regain normal tone. Regular Thai bodywork
stretches comprehensively restore balance within and between functional
groups of muscles to ease pain, increase flexibility and improve posture.
Improving and maintaining flexibility
The overall flexibility of the body’s movable joints starts to diminish
from the early twenties unless positive steps are taken to work them
through a wide range of movements at regular intervals. The practice of
yoga could achieve this but reaching an adequate level of expertise
requires much application and discipline. Thai massage, on the other hand,
requires nothing more than placing your body in the hands of an expert
practitioner. After a session lasting around two to two-and-a-half hours
your muscles and joints will have received an intensive workout, the
thoroughness of which you could never hope to equal by yourself. The
improvement in your flexibility will be noticeable immediately. This is
because Thai bodywork always stretches muscles and manipulates joints
just a little further than you would be capable of when unaided.
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Some manipulations require that parts of the body are pulled against
the foot to give a powerful stretch against foot pressure.
Controlled sitting, where more or less of the weight is taken on the
practitioner’s feet or knees, is sometimes applied. This is particularly useful
as a means of anchoring one part of the body during a manipulation.
Foot pressure from a standing position can be extremely
penetrating and should be applied with great care. It is used on the back,
buttocks, legs and feet.
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.Manipulation Techniques
Manipulation Techniques
Manipulation is the controlled movement of one or more parts
of the body relative to others to achieve specific effects such as
stretching and twisting.
It always involves leverage. The masseur must have a high
sensitivity to its effectiveness which can result in very powerful
stretches and twists with relatively little effort. A lack of this
sensitivity could result in injury. In order to avoid serious back
strain caused by lifting and moving in the wrong way, the giver
should also be constantly aware of his/her own posture and
position relative to the receiver.
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The massage starts here and, since this is the first physical
contact between the giver and receiver, the scene should be set very
carefully. To receive massage, your partner should be lying very
comfortably in the supine position (lying on the back) with arms in a
relaxed position down the sides of the body, and with legs apart
leaving a gap of one body-width between the feet.
The aim of this lesson is to stimulate the smooth energy
flow through the Sen (energy lines) of the feet and legs.
The massage starts here and, since this is the first physical
contact between the giver and receiver, the scene should be set
very carefully. To receive massage, your partner should be lying
very comfortably in the supine position (lying on the back) with
arms in a relaxed position down the sides of the body, and with
legs apart leaving a gap of one body-width between the feet.
The aim of this lesson is to stimulate the smooth energy
flow through the Sen (energy lines) of the feet and legs.
ABOVE: These are the five sen on the soles of the foot.
Thorough pressing of these Sen is regarded as a
vital prelude to overall energy balance.
Warms and loosens the feet, and has a relaxing effect on the
recipient.
Twists the thighs outwards and exercises the hip.
Brings the recipient’s awareness into the tips of the toes which is
both stimulating and relaxing.
Starting points of the Sen channels are massaged to affect overall
energy balance very positively.
Improves the lateral flexibility of the foot and strengthens the instep.
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The first part of Lesson Two is a prelude to the more intensive leg
manipulations which follow. Refer The Mechanics of Thai Massage
for the basic techniques of pressing and manipulation. The receiver
lies in the supine position (lying on the back) and each leg is held
straight and thoroughly pressed using the palms and thumbs. Ensure
that all the Sen channels are equally stimulated along the entire
length of the leg.
Assists the flow of energy in the legs and can also relieve sciatic
pain.
8. ‘Z-STOP’
Keep your feet tucked in snugly behind your partner’s knee and cross
her lower leg across both your shins. Her leg will become bent at a sharply
acute angle that resembles a ‘Z’ shape. Slide forward a little to grasp the
front surface of her thigh and pull it towards you. Pull alternately with both
hands along the length of her thigh.
Stimulates energy flow in the central Sen channel to ease fibrotic and
adhesive connective tissue.
Good for football and rugby players.
Improves flexibility of hip points, arthritic hips pain in the groin area
associated with sciatica and lower back pain.
Assists myofascial release in the calf muscles and eased the tensing
and spasming that can be caused by sports injury.
This technique must not be practiced on those who have had any
kind of knee or hip surgery.
31. CORKSCREW
With your partner’s right leg still firmly in the Half Lotus, hold her
left leg vertically. Move forward and step over her flexed right leg with your
left one. Place your left foot so that your toes are under her armpit and
keep your knees slightly flexed. Tuck your right leg against the outer
margin of her vertical leg and use it to support her leg. By gradually
straightening your left leg you will exert a backward pressure on her flexed
leg and this will generate a twisting action on the hips and lower back.
Knead the sole and the heel of her left foot with your right elbow.
Treats lumbago and sciatica.
Increases hip and lower back flexibility.
31. CORKSCREW
Helps myofascial release in the calf muscles to ease pain and tension.
If your partner is very stiff, care must be taken not to lift the leg too
far. Do not even attempt this technique with an elderly partner.
To increase the stretch down the back of her leg, pull the front of
the foot gently downwards and rock to and fro. Use small rotary
movements to rotate the hip joint.
Take care when kneeling along the top of your partner’s thigh.
32. RAISED FOOT LEG STRETCH
Pressed: Quadriceps
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Do not attempt to carry out this technique on those with any kind of
circulatory problem such as varicose veins, high blood pressure or heart
disease.
Pull along the shoulder and down your partner’s side with alternate
hand movements which should be kept slow and rhythmical.
Treats lower back pain, improves spinal mobility and aligns the spine.
Do not use on those who have had surgery on the lower back
4. ROTATING THE HIPS
Lift your partner’s flexed legs so that his knees are directly over his
abdomen. Your legs should be astride his ankles with your hands just
below his knees. Starting with just a small amplitude rotation of the knees,
gradually increase. Keep both knees together. Rotate about fifteen times in
each direction.
Grasp your partner’s ankles, lean back slightly to create traction and
shake his legs up and down rapidly with a small-amplitude movement.
Shake the legs ten to twenty times.
8. THE PLOUGH
Spread your partner’s legs out into an open ‘V’ and step through
them to adopt a new position astride his body with your feet tucked under
his armpits. Bend your knees slightly towards the mid-lime, increase the ‘V’
ankle between his legs and draw them around your knees. Press his feet
together and then press lightly downwards. Hold for a few seconds, and
then open his legs again, draw them back around your legs and push the
feet forward and down a little further in the direction of his head. In a very
flexible person the feet will touch the floor. Repeat this until you find the
most extreme position that is comfortable for him. Hold the position for at
least ten seconds.
9. KNEEING THE BACKS OF THE THIGHS
As your partner is released from the previous position, retain your
hold on his feet and step back through his legs again. Hold his feet so that
his legs are slightly bent. Using your body weight, press both knees
simultaneously into the backs of his thighs whilst at the same time,
pushing his feet forward. Press progressively along the entire length of his
thighs.
This simple technique is good for suffers of sciatica and those who
experience problems with their hamstring muscles.
Aids mobility of the hip joints and counters pain in the pelvic region
and lower back.
Do not use this exercise on the elderly and wait for at least two hours if
your partner has eaten a large meal.
Do not use this technique on those with cardiac problems and high
blood pressure.
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Touch Method One: Thumb press the intercostals between your partner’s
ribs simultaneously outwards from the sternum. Start with both thumbs
either side of the sternum just below the collar bone and progress
downwards. If you have a female partner, be prepared to press some of
the intercostals spaces in the center only. Also, be sensitive to those for
whom the rib spaces are major tickling spots!
Touch Method Two: Now use your three middle fingers of both hands to
press across the ribs with a small circular motion. Again, progress
downwards, observing the same precautions as for the intercostals
pressing.
4. THUMB WALKING THE ABDOMEN
Kneeling on your partner’s right, use the thumb walking technique
and start just above her groin on the right side in zone 1. Thumb walk
slowly, rhythmically and deeply without causing pain to the right side
across the abdomen just below the rib line, and down the left side to just
above the pubic bone from zone 1 to zone 9.
Repeat this circuit several times and then thumb down the mid-line a
few times. You can vary this pattern by thumbing clockwise around the two
triangular areas shown on the image of Sen channels on the abdomen.
Encourages the smooth flow of energy through the abdominal Sen to
relax the abdominal muscles.
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Arms feed vital energy into the body’s organ system and
need thorough treatment to ensure smooth energy flow.
Shoulders store tension which causes neck pain and headaches.
Stretching the shoulders and neck relieves the tension, while
pressure on head energizes calms the mind.
Sen channels on the arms
The Inner Sen channels (left) are: - Chinese Lung meridian, - Chinese Pericardium
meridian, - Chinese Heart meridian. The Outer Sen channels (right) are: - Chinese Large
Intestine meridian, - Chinese Sanjiao meridian, - Chinese Small Intestine meridian.
A. Inner Sen Channels
- Starts behind the thumb under the wrist and ends on deltoid
muscle.
- Starts on the underside of the wrist in the midline and passes
between radius and ulna bones towards the armpit, where it ends.
- Starts on the underside of the wrist behind the little finger and
ends in the armpit.
- Starts on the wrist crease behind the thumb and passes along
the edge of the radius to the outer elbow and up to the front of the
shoulder.
- Starts on the middle of the wrist crease and passes between
the radius and ulna and then over the humerus to the deltoid muscle.
- Starts on the wrist crease behind the little finger and passes up
to the back of the armpit.
Always ensure that the arch of your foot is placed across the actual
armpit of your partner so that little pressure is exerted on the lymph
nodes.
4. STRETCHING THE ARM IN THE TRIANGLE
POSITION
Place the palm of your partner’s left hand on the mat with her
fingers directed towards her shoulder. Palm the exposed area from elbow
to armpit and back again.
Now place your left hand on the upper thigh and your right hand on
her elbow. Press down with both hands simultaneously to create a strong
stretch across the trunk between arm and thigh.
Provides a rare treat for the triceps muscles which are the recipient
of the palming.
Eases pain and improves mobility in the shoulders.
3. FOOT TO ARMPIT STRETCH
Slide your fingers under the back of her hands leaving your thumbs
free to press her inside wrist and palm. Turn your hands outwards so the
sides of your partner’s palms are pulled downwards, leaving them arched
and stretched. Press deeply wherever you can.
Gives a powerful backwards stretch to the hand and digits, and
relives numbness and stiffness.
Helps take tension from the neck and shoulders, and improves
shoulder mobility.
Pressed: Trapezius
Thai massage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ABOVE: Sen channels accessible in the side position. The Sen channels on the back treat all the internal
organs of the body.
The Sen channels in the legs and back are described and
illustrated anatomically in Lesson Two and Seven. In the side
position the inside and back of the straight leg exposes the Inner
3 - Chinese Kidney meridian, and the Outer 3 - Chinese Bladder
meridian. The kidneys and bladder control water balance in the
body as well as treating lower back pain. The bent leg exposes the
Outer 2 - Gallbladder meridian, and the Outer 3 - Bladder. The
energies of the Gallbladder meridian treat leg pain and numbness
resulting from sciatica.
1. PRESSING THE BACK OF THE EXTENDED LEG
Touch Method One: Palmar Pressing Draw your partner’s right leg up
in front of him so that it forms an angle of about 90˚ with his body. Keep
your arms straight and palm with both hands along the inner Sen of the
straight leg using your body weight to generate deep pressure. Palm
outwards from the knee and back again several times. Keep a steady
rhythm using a slow, to-and-fro rocking movement. Then butterfly palm
the entire leg.
6. SIDE Z-STOP
Follow exactly the same method as used for this technique in the
supine position (see 8. Z-stop inlesson two)
Wonderful for troublesome hamstring muscles; sciatic pain felt deeply
within the leg also responds well to these treatments.
Leaves the leg suffused with warmth and feeling really light.
Relaxes tense and sore muscles and tendons; eases sciatic pain.
6. SIDE Z-STOP
Stretched: Quadriceps
Pressed: Hamstrings, quadriceps
Touch Method Two: Thumb Pressing Now thumb walk sideways along
the same Sen channels on your partner’s back.
Pushes the muscles away from the spine, relieving back pain and
tension; stimulates energy flow in the Sen benefiting internal organs.
Opens up the shoulder and elbow joints and stimulates the circulation
of blood and lymph.
Aids and maintains joint mobility which is especially beneficial for
frozen shoulders and tennis elbow.
For very stiff people, just lifting the leg and arm without using your foot
will produce a powerful not to overdo the stretching movements.
This exercise must not be practiced on anyone who has had spinal surgery
such as lumbar fusion or laminectomy, those with osteoporosis or anyone
who is much heavier than yourself.
Thai massage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aids flexibility of the foot and improves blood flow as the metatarsal
bones are splayed apart.
Do not use the deep palming or thumbing method on areas with obvious
varicose veins.
5. FOOT CRACKER
Still standing, tuck your left foot in snugly behind your partner’s right
knee and press his foot down towards his buttock.
Improves mobility of the ankle and knee joints; eases tension and
spasming in calves and hamstrings.
5. FOOT CRACKER
Only with a highly flexible partner will you be able to lift his leg to
anywhere near the vertical position.
11. KNEE TO BUTTOCK/BACK BACKWARD LEG LIFT
Touch Method One: Place your right knee into your partner’s right
buttock and lift his leg with your hand just above the knee. Use your knee
as the pivot against which to lift his leg.
Touch Method Two: With your right hand across your partner’s lower
lumbar area, lift his right flexed leg against the pressure of your hand.
Helps those who suffer from lumbar and hip pain, and sciatica.
8. REVERSE HALF LOTUS PRESS
Stimulates energy flow through the back. Releases tense and fibrotic
fascia around back muscles and eases lumbago, sciatica and pain due
to slipped disc.
Exercise care when carrying out the Cobra exercises. There be
should be no trace of jerkiness in the movements as these must, at all
times, be smoothly executed for reasons of safety.
Many people will experience real discomfort if you attempt to raise
their shoulders more than an inch or so from the mat. This stretch should
only be performed on those who are fit and fairly flexible. Do not attempt
any of the Cobra techniques on partners heavier than yourself, on the
elderly or those with intervertebral disc problems.
16. KNEELLING CUSHION COBRA
Kneeling on your partner’s thighs, grasp his wrists and ask him to
grasp your own wrists. Lean back to use your weight to lift his upper body
into a Cobra position. Hold for at least ten seconds.
Modern living provides few opportunities for backward flexion of
the spine. To ensure that your partner’s spine remains health and pain-
free, you must do both forward and backward flexions.
Touch Method Two: This time your partner interlocks his hands behind
his head. Repeat the lift, holding his shoulders as in Touch Method One or
under the armpits.
18. STANDING COBRA
Considerable balance is needed to perform this technique correctly.
Stand on your partner with one foot placed on each of his thighs. Your toes
should be directed to point outwards and the arches of your feet should
cover the lower margin of his buttocks. Lean forward, grasp his wrists and
he yours simultaneously and, with your arms straight, leans backwards so
that your weight is pivoted onto your feet. Now lift him into a Cobra
position. The ability to tolerate backward flexion of the spine varies greatly
so much care must be taken on the first lift to determine how far you can
go. Each lift should be sustained for up to thirty seconds. Repeat twice.
Strong, sustained backward flexion exercises the articulating joints
and associated muscles between the vertebrae, particularly the
lumbar ones. Spinal mobility and flexibility is improved, tension and
pain in the lower back and between the shoulder blades is eased,
and increased shoulder mobility results. Energy flow in the Sen
channels of the back increases.
Pressed: Hamstrings
Stretched: Pectoralis major, deltoids, teres major, rectus abdominis, psoas
major, iliacus, trapezius, infraspinatus, supraspinatus,
serratus anterior
19. WHEELBARROW
Grasp your partner’s ankles and lift his legs whilst, at the same time,
positioning one foot over his sacrum and your toes just touching his lower
lumbar area. Apply light pressure only. Give the maximum lift that will
stretch the front of his thighs effectively without causing discomfort. Hold
this position for about thirty seconds.
This technique gives the hip joints a rather grater backward rotation
than they would normally experience. It aids hip mobility and helps
to relieves sciatic pain.
Thai massage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thai massage is a system of massage and assisted stretching developed in Thailand,
and influenced by the traditional medicine systems of India, China, and Southeast Asia.
This form of bodywork is often performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable
clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage.
In the Thai language it is usually called nuat phaen thai(Thai: นวดแผนไทย; lit. Thai-
style massage) or nuat phaen boran (Thai: นวดแผนโบราณ, IPA: [nûət pʰɛ̌ːn boːraːn];
lit. ancient-style massage), though its formal name is merelynuat thai(Thai: นวดไทย,
lit. Thai massage) according to the Traditional Thai Medical Professions Act, BE 2556
(2013).
Improves energy flow in the neck channels and is good for treating
cervical spondylitis, tense neck muscles, headaches and migraines.
Take great care not to overstretch the neck. Do not use this technique on
the elderly or those with osteoporosis.
6. BACKWARD ARM LEVER
Take your partner’s left arm, flex it at the elbow and raise it in a
backwards direction, placing her hand on her left shoulder. Use your right
hand to hold it in position while your left hand pulls her elbow backwards.
When you feel some resistance to movement, hold that position for a few
seconds and then release. Repeat on the other side.
Opens the joint between the scapula and clavicle. Good for easing
frozen shoulder.
Stretched: Sternocleidomastoid
6. BACKWARD ARM LEVER
Pressed: Trapezius
Do not force your partner beyond the point where resistance is felt.
Some people are very stiff when bending in this direction and a small
degree of flexion is adequate.
Gives a twist to the spine and eases lower back pain lateral to the
main spinal muscles.
Do not force your partner beyond the point where resistance is felt.
Some people are very stiff when twisting sideways and a small degree of
flexion is adequate.
16. FEET TO BACK STRETCH
Sit behind your partner and grasp her wrists. Place your feet on
her back on either side of her spine with your toes level with the lower tips
of her shoulder blades. Pull on her arms and press with your feet to create
a strong backward shoulder stretch. You can take tiny alternating steps
down the back to the lumbar region.
Opens the joints between the clavicle and scapula, and also the
clavicle and sternum. Energy flow in the channels on either side of
the spine is stimulated to ease stiffness and pain in the lower back.
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