Manual: Natural Therapy For Flexibility, Relaxation and Energy Balance

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Introduction

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.

Traditional Thai Massage


Modern lifestyles are often dominated by the desire to achieve
independence and fulfillment through the use of machinery and new
technology. We aim to make our lives easy and convenient and, with ever
more leisure time, hope that we will be healthy, youthful and pain-free
enough to enjoy life. There is a distinct trend towards self over-indulgence
and this, unfortunately, goes hand in hand with increasing deprivation in
areas such as regular exercise and interaction with others on a caring and
compassionate level. This article is written in the firm belief that Thai
bodywork involves just such an interaction, enabling you to share with
another person in a mutual ‘un-Thai-ing’ of physical and emotional knots.
Interaction through physical contact has been fundamental to most Eastern
cultures for thousands of years, yet the practice still remains quite foreign
to most Westerners.
At this point, it must be emphasized that traditional Thai
massage is not the same thing as the media-sensationalized
activities that take place in massage parlours throughout the
tourist centers of Thailand. It is not about sexual gratification but
about wholeness, balance, health and happiness. Thai massage
means togetherness at a physical level which is quite outside the
sexual but, for all of us, this is one of the vital components of a
happy, balanced life that is so often lacking in this modern world.
The origins of traditional Thai massage like the origins of
the Thai people themselves, the history of traditional Thai
massage is obscure, thailand was at the crossroads of the ancient
migration routes which saw many waves of different civilezations
and cultures passing through. The combination of Thailand’s close
proximity to China and its position on one of the main trade
routes from India has resulted in many interesting cultural and
religious influences, particularly Buddhistm, being brought to bear
on the early inhabitants of this area.
Folk tradition creadits Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, also known as
Shiuago Komparaj, with being the founder of Thai massage. A
friend and physician to the Buddha some 2,500 years ago, he is
still revered as the ‘Father of Thai medicine’. None of the
information regarding massage procedures was written down and
it was passed on from generation ot generaton by word of mouth.
Medical texts that included detailed descriptions of Thai massage,
as it was then practised, were eventually recorded in the Pali
language on palm leaves. These were venerated as religious texts
and held in safe keeping in the old capital city of Ayutthia
(Ayutthaya). During in the eightennth century Ayutthia was
overrun by Burmese invaders and many of the precious texts
were destroyed. In 1832 King Rama III had all the surviving texts
carved in stone as descriptive epigraphs at Wat Pho, the largest
temple in Bangkok.
Wat Pho temple
‘Wats’ are temples or monasteries. Besides being focal
points for the practice of Buddhism, the Wats have always
provided for the health needs of the people. The Wat Pho is the
most famous of them. It dates back to the sixteenth century and
houses the famous reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters (150
feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) high, together with the largest
collection of Buddha images in Thailand. There are sixty carved
epigraphs that describe the Sen channels and embody all the
information from the Pali texts that still survived during the reign
of King Rama III. Outside the temple are a collection of stone
satues that show various of the classical Thai massage
techniques.

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:

 METTA: The desire to make others happy and the ability


to show loving kindness
 KARUNA: Compassion for all who suffer and a desire to
ease their sufferings
 MUDITA: Rejoicing with those who have good fortune
and never feeling envy
 UPEKKHA: Regarding one’s fellows without prejudice or
preference.
Form the Buddhist viewpoint, the giver of massage should be
motivated only by the desire to bestow loving kindness with total concern
for the recipient’s physical and emotional pains and feelings. Massage
given with these motives foremost is a healing experience for the giver as
well as the receiver, and intrinsic life energy will flow between the two.
Thai bodywork treatment
In order to give and to receive Thai bodywork, you will need a
partner – your spouse, friend or perhaps a member of your family. It is
most important that you should avoid working with anyone who is much
heavier than yourself, particularly when carrying out exercises that may
involve heavy lifting or standing on your partner. Thai bodywork is, above
all else, an intimate and warm experience and it should be carried out in an
environment which promotes these features. A warm, well-ventilated room
with diffused or subdued lighting is most conducive to the meditative state
of the giver and the relaxation of the receiver. It is important that there
should be no disturbances or excessive noise, although some people may
prefer to have gentle background music played throughout the massage.
As the bodywork is carried out on the floor, a soft but supportive may or
blanket should be used, together with a thin pillow to support the
receiver’s head. Adequate space should be provided to enable the giver to
move comfortably around the receiver.
Thai massage is applied to the clothed body but it is usual for the
receiver to be barefoot. It is helpful if clothing takes the form of a thin,
natural-fiber track suit or similar type of loose garment, and this is ideal
wear for the giver who is also barefoot.
Before giving a massage to someone for the first time it is most
important that you check their medical history and discuss any present
health problems with them before commencing. Immediately before any
physical contact is made, you should take a moment to clear your mind of
all extraneous thoughts so as to be totally centered on your partner’s
needs and to be able to attend to them in a calm and empathetic state. A
few slow, deep breaths with controlled exhalation will help this relaxing
process.
Before starting a massage, a Thai practitioner says a prayer to the
Father of Medicine asking for guidance and help in relieving the physical
and emotional pain in the patient. You too can say a prayer if you wish.
Throughout the massage your partner should breathe normally
except when receiving the ‘Cobras’ and Lifting Spinal Twist. Breathing in
deeply before the lifts commence and breathing out as the lifts take place
encourages energy flow to the internal organs. As with all forms of
massage, pace, rhythm and pressure must be carefully controlled and,
above all else, there must be a sense of continuous flow, not only form
technique to technique but also of energies within the partnership between
giver and receiver. In this article wherever possible the first word used in
the headings for the exercises refers to the action of the giver or, where
appropriate, the body part used by the giver.
The duration of a massage
A Thai massage can take from two to two-and-a-half hours to
complete but this does not preclude the possibility of effective massage
when there is less time. It is much better to restrict massage to those
regions of the body that can be adequately treated in the time available
than to speed up and attempt to do a whole body massage in a much
shorter time. If you are new to bodywork do not attempt the more
advanced manipulations until you are able to do the basic routine smoothly
and effectively.
Beware of over-stretching
Over-stretching can cause injury. After just a short experience of giving
massage it soon becomes very apparent that every individual has a
different pain threshold, sensitivity and overall flexibility. When applied to
some people, deep pressure produces little more than a mild sensation,
whereas for others mild pressure can – at times – be quite excruciating.
Flexibility and tolerance of stretching show the same variability. It is most
important that one learns to recognize quickly to what degree pressure and
stretching can be used. Pressing can cause pain if applied too vigorously.
Always start with light pressure and increase very slowly. Use visual clues
from your partner to guide you as to the maximum pressure to use.
It is always important to get verbal confirmation from your partner
that the stretches are not excessive. Age is no indication of suppleness and
pain threshold. Some very young people can be stiff whereas others in
their seventies who have cared for their bodies can demonstrate a
remarkable flexibility.
Caring for yourself
Good balance and posture are of vital significance for the giver of
Thai bodywork as muscular strain can easily be sustained if unnatural and
stressful positions are adopted. Learning in with the full body weight is a
far more effective way of applying pressure and performing some of the
extensive stretching movements than trying to achieve these with only the
muscular power of the arms and shoulders. The giver should feel as
comfortable as the receiver since any discomfort will interrupt
concentration and destroy the harmony of movement that is so
characteristic of good Thai bodywork.
Rhythm and movement: a pure synthesis
The word ‘flowing’ and ‘rhythmic’ exactly describes the essence of
Thai bodywork with its sequence of unhurried presses, stretches and
twists. For the beginner, the vast number, variety and the subtlety of
techniques used many be somewhat bewildering. At all times, the position
and movements of the giver in relation to the receiver are every bit as
important as the way in which the techniques are applied. Nuances of
tempo and pressure seem endless and one technique dissolves into
another with total smoothness and harmony. Form seems as important as
movement. The symmetries and shapes developed and sustained are as
dramatic as the way in which they evaporate away. There is never a
suggestion of haste, and to the receiver time seems almost to stand still.
Thai bodywork is a fusion of techniques, each of them with its own
specific. Some techniques apply pressure to the Sen channels while others
produce the wonderful twists and stretches that often resemble applied
yoga. Pressing is the means of stimulating movement of energy in the Sen
channels and manipulations stretch muscles. Feet, palms, thumbs, elbows
and knees are the tools of the Thai therapist. The unhurried pace and
smooth flow that characterize this form of bodywork detracts from the very
deep pressure and powerful stretches that are used. Thai bodywork is like
a beautifully choreographed duet: the basic theme is repeated over and
over again, but with subtle variations for each body part that is treated.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS TO THAI MASSAGE
A few words of caution must be stated. All those incredible shapes and
flowing movements that constitute the manipulative side of Thai massage
can be potentially damaging to both giver and receiver. To give a massage
of this kind, at even a very modest level, requires great skill, strength and
poise which can only be acquired with correct training. Even a fit young
person can be hurt when subjected to stretches and twists that are
incorrectly applied or simply overdone. In addition, there are the usual
contra-indications to the use of Thai massage which are essentially those
that would apply to any form of massotherapy;
WHEN NOT TO USE THAI BODYWORK
 Do not massage anyone with a serious heart condition, high blood
pressure or cancer.
 Thai massage is unsuitable for those who suffered from brittle bones
(osteoporosis).
 Never massage anyone who has an artificial joint, such as hip or knee
replacement.
 Those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or shingles
should not receive massage on the affected areas.
 Many of the exercises in this article are unsuitable for pregnant women
and Thai massage is not recommended during pregnancy.
 Varicose veins should not be deeply massaged.
 If the receiver has any condition that raises doubts in the mind of the giver
as to the suitability of this type of massage it is always best to err on the
side of caution and to refer this person to his or her doctor, who may be
able to determine whether massage is contra-indicated.

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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).

The Muscles: Targets for the Thai Therapist

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.

The Central Nervous System


The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS)
which is the controlling computer for all body parts, both involuntary (such
as breathing) and voluntary, such as the skeletal muscles. Muscles are
linked to the central nervous system by two kinds of nerves:
 Motor nerves: these carry nerve impulses from the CNS to make the
muscles contract.
 Sensory nerves: these carry nerve impulses from sense organs in the
muscles to the CNS.
The sense organs in muscles are called spindle organs because of
their shape. They provide constant information about the state of muscle
contraction and any change in it. The tendons also contain sense organs
which tell the brain how much pull they are being subjected to as the
muscles contract.

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.

The treatment of many conditions


Though unsuitable for people with serious health problems and those
who have had replacement surgery, for others Thai bodywork can seem
like a miracle in the way it treats those conditions that result from physical
and emotional stress. Repetitive strain injuries, wear and tear and sports
injuries are the commonest results of physical stress. The signals that warn
you of its effects vary from stiffness, weakness and pain to serious loss of
performance. The indicators of emotional stress are vastly more complex.
They can be purely emotional, such as worry, anxiety and anger, or
behavioral, as with over-eating and alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.
Inability to relax, disrupted sleep patterns and general irritability are also
observed. Eventually, emotional stress manifests itself through a range of
physical symptoms that include headaches, indigestion, constipation, back
pains and skin conditions.
Enhancing sports performance
A flexible body is one of the keys to fitness and performance. The
other is a musculature with total balance between antagonistic groups,
with every individual muscle able to assume its normal relaxed length when
not contracting. This is probably a combination that even the most highly
trained athletes fail to achieve. Including Thai bodywork as part of their
training regime can help all sportsmen and women towards this ideal
condition. It will enable them to undertake more intensive training with a
significantly reduced risk of injury, and this will result in an ability to
sustain even higher levels of performance safely.
Treating sports injuries
Most sports injuries involve damage to muscle fibers, myofascia or
tendons and they are commonly caused by overuse of muscles that are not
functionally balanced with other muscles in their group and with their
antagonists. A healthy, normal muscle has an amazing capacity to perform
repetitively without injury. Thai bodywork received regularly provides
maintenance that the muscles need. When injury does occur, its controlled
stretches and manipulations have an unrivaled ability to speed healing and
restore normal pain-free function.
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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).

The Mechanics of Thai Massage

The Mechanics of Thai Massage


To create the fundamental effect of pressure that is needed
for Thai bodywork, force is applied by the masseur ‘Soft tissue
massage’ and ‘manipulation’ describes the two aspects of Thai
bodywork. In soft tissue massage, pressure is used directly for the
desired effect. For the manipulative techniques, pressure is used to
achieve stretching and twisting. Traditional Thai bodywork massage
is remarkable for the number of different positions in which the
receiver’s body is presented to the masseur, who also has to adopt a
corresponding variety of body positions.
Many of the manipulations in Thai bodywork involve
substantial leverage. This often works to the advantage of the
practitioner by enabling a small effort to achieve a large effect.
This will also benefit the receiver provided that care is taken to
avoid overstretching which could occur if manipulations were
performed hastily.
Soft Tissue Pressure Techniques
Pressing is the basis of all soft tissue massage techniques.
Skilful application of pressure can affect different levels within the tissues
and enhances the flow of energy. The application of a force through a
larger body surface, such as the palm or the sole of the foot, creates a
pressure which is spread out and does not penetrate too deeply. If the
same force is applied with the thumb or the tip of the elbow to cover a
smaller area, a much more focused and penetrating pressure results. For
all pressure techniques, always start with light pressing and increase
gradually. Some people find very deep pressure extremely painful.

In the single thumb pressing method, pressure is always applied using


the pad of the thumb. The tip of the thumb is never used. Thai bodywork
is unique in frequently combining thumb pressing while stretching a body
part at the same time. Pressing affects the underlying tissues in a way that
makes them more amenable to the flow of energy and the drainage of
lymph.

This method is used to stimulate the energy channels. Movement


can be in either direction along the lines. The thumbs are placed with their
tips almost touching and pressed alternately as they progress along the
energy lines. If movement is towards the left, the left thumb is lifted and
moved two to three centimeters to the left and pressure is applied. The
right thumb is then moved up to join the left and pressed in turn.

This sequence is repeated over and over again so that alternate


thumb pressure is applied along the whole length of the energy lines. The
‘walking’ can, of course, be done from left to right.
The palmar surface of the hand is extensively used for applying
strong pressure over larger areas of the body than would be possible with
the thumbs. Pressure can be applied and sustained without movement
either for a few seconds or up to several minutes. Palmar pressing can be
used to create a rocking action and this is achieved with short duration
presses. The upper body weight over the arms is used to generate strong
and sustained pressure. To achieve the effect required without fatigue, the
arms are usually kept straight. There are three different ways of pressing
with the palmar surface – Single Palm Pressing, Double Palm Pressing and
Butterfly Palm Pressing as follows:

Single Palm Pressing: The emphasis is often on the heel of the


hand and this technique is used for applying firm pressure to the major
soft tissue masses of the body, such as the back, buttocks and thighs.
Double Palm Pressing: Here, concentrating the pressure is achieved by
placing one hand directly on top of the other.
Butterfly Palm Pressing: This method involves simultaneous pressure
using both hands with the heels of the palms touching. It spreads the force
over an even wider area of the body.
Elbow pressing with the tip of the elbow enable the masseur to apply
deeper pressure than is possible with the hand. It is used on the thighs,
buttocks and upper shoulders, where the muscles are thick. If the elbow
tip causes too much pain, the upper forearm can be used instead to spread
the force and to reduce pressure.
Knee pressing frees the hands for controlling stretches while, at the
same time, exerting deep pressure. It is used mainly on the backs of the
legs and buttocks.
The foot is ideally shaped to apply pressure over large areas of the
body. On strongly curved parts, such as thighs, the arch is used but for
thickly muscled buttocks and similar muscular areas, the heel or the front
of the sole can create strong, penetrating pressure.

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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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).

.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.

The Vertical Leg Stretch is a manipulation which involves powerful


leverage. A careless or insensitive masseur could easily overstretch the
hamstring, gluteal and even the lower back muscles of the receiver. Always
watch your partner’s expression, which will quickly react to even a hint of
overstretching.
Preparation for Manipulation
All the different parts of the body are manipulated during Thai
bodywork and manipulation is achieved through pulling, pushing, lifting,
shaking and rotating. The end result of these manipulations is stretching
and twisting.
So very impressive are the Thai manipulations that the therapist can be
tempted to emphasize them at the expense of pressing techniques. This
is a serious mistake. Pressure on the soft tissues prepares the receiver
physiologically so that the greatest benefit can be derived from the
manipulations that follow them. It is the pressure techniques that are
most effective in the treatment of pain and in stimulating the flow of
energy in the Sen channels.

Most manipulations involve some lifting which means pulling against


the receiver’s weight. A lift is a simple manipulation where the body part is
raised against the force of gravity. No pushing is used.
This technique is carried out on the limbs and it always involves an
up and down movement. A slight pull creates a degree of traction which
makes the shaking even more effective.
This is a 360˚ movement about joints such as the wrists, ankles,
shoulders, hips and neck. It is the result of alternate pushing and pulling
techniques. Even joints affected by osteoarthritis can have normal mobility
restored through regular rotation.
Whenever a body part is pulled, it must be anchored at its other end.
Sometimes the subject’s body weight achieves this. However, the strongest
pulling often requires an opposing push. Thai therapists frequently use
their feet for this. The most powerful sustained pulls are achieved when
the practitioner’s body weight is used to generate the effort. Leaning away
from the subject creates this effect.
The sequence shown presents a unique, whole body program
devised by Maria Mercati and based on a synthesis of techniques from
northern and southern Thailand. In Thailand there are many subtle
variations in both the techniques and the massage sequence. Each
step is demonstrated by a photograph; some photos have arrows
superimposed to show you exactly where to apply pressure, and the
healing benefits and key muscles used in each massage are listed
alongside. Caution boxes indicate where you should take care with a
particular technique, but it should be emphasized here again that Thai
massage is not recommended during pregnancy.
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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).

Lesson One: The feet

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.

Sen channels on the feet


There are five Sen channels on the soles of the feet. They all start
at a point on the front margin of the heel pad on the mind line. The Sen
channels radiate from this point to the toes.
Thumb press from the center heel point towards each toe, working
both feet together. Press the Sen channels as many times as the strength
of your thumb permits. Feet bear the weight of the whole body as well as
moving to walk and run, so they require both flexibility and strength.
Working through the techniques in this lesson will help your partner
maintain foot flexibility and avoid injury.

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.

Massaging both feet


1. PRESSING FEET & ANKLES
Kneeling between your partner’s legs, grasp both feet. Keep your
arms straight so that your body weight can be transferred through them.
Rock forward and outwards or from side to side, increasing pressure
through the palms. Move your palms down the inner margins of her feet
towards her toes using pressure at each position.

 Warms and loosens the feet, and has a relaxing effect on the
recipient.
 Twists the thighs outwards and exercises the hip.

2. PRESSING THE FEET SIDEWAYS


Press your partner’s feet outwards (evert) as far as they will stretch
and hold then in place for a few seconds. Release her feet, place your
hands across the top part of the feet and press them inwards (invert) as
shown by image. Repeat the sequence once or twice.
 Improves ankles flexibility.

3. PRESSING THE CROSSED FEET


Bring your partner’s feet together to cross one foot over the other.
Apply gentle sustained downward pressure on them, then reverse positions
and press again.
 Loosens the ankles, arches and toes, so increasing the flexibility of
the tarso-metatarsal joints.

 1. PRESSING FEET & ANKLES


Stretched: Tibialis anterior (outwards)

 2. PRESSING THE FEET SIDEWAYS


Stretched: Tibialis anterior (outwards), peroneus longus (inwards)

 3. PRESSING THE CROSSED FEET


Stretched: Peroneus longus, tibialis posterior

4. SQUEEZING THE FEET


Grasp the tops of your partner’s feet and squeeze firmly and
progressively down towards the toes. Repeat several times.
 Improves flexibility of the feet.

5. FLICKING THE TOES


Place the heel of your hand under your partner’s toes and close
your fingers above all the toes. Slide your hands off the toes, flicking them
repeat Technique 1.
 Produces a pleasant, relaxing sensation for the recipient.

6. PRESSING THE FEET BACKWARDS &


FORWARDS
Place the heels of your palms under your partner’s toes and firmly
push towards her head. Then with your palms on top of the toes, press
downwards.
 Improves flexibility of the ankles and the feet.

7. PRESSING POINTS ON ANKLES & FEET


Thumb press deeply into the three ankle points, marked here with
dots, on both your partner’s feet. Then thumb press around the margins of
the undersides of her heels. Now thumb press along the energy lines
between her heel and toes.
 Balances the energies within the reproductive system and organs of
the lower back.

 6. PRESSING THE FEET BACKWARDS & FORWARDS


Stretched: peroneus longus (upward), tibialis posterior (upward),
soleus (upward), tibialis anterior (downward)

Massaging each foot individually


1. FLEXING THE ANKLES BACKWARDS
Grasp your partner’s foot with both hands, pressing your thumbs
down into the center of her front ankle crease. Then lean forward to press
her foot backwards against this pressure.
 Increases flexibility of the ankle.
 Beneficial for those who suffer from beadaches.

2. PRESSING THE TENDONS OF THE


UPPER FOOT
With circular movements, thumb press into the spaces between
your partner’s tendons. Begin at the hollow at the center of the top of each
ankle and work your way towards her toes. Follow each tendon in turn.
 Has an invigorating effect upon the recipient.
 Increases blood blow around the tendons (tissue which is normally
very inert) which helps to maintain healthy feet.

3. PULLING & CRACKING EACH TOE


Hold each of your partner’s toes, lean back and pull vigorously in
turn. During this technique a cracking sound may be heard.
 Loosens toe joints and increases blood circulation.

4. TWISTING THE FEET


Support your partner’s foot with one and bend the free edge of her
foot up and down with a twisting, flicking action. Do this two to three times
whilst working towards her toes. Repeat the sequence on the opposite side
of her foot.

 Stimulates the foot and increases lateral flexibility.


 The intrinsic muscles of the foot are well stretched during the
twisting movements.

5. MASSAGING THE TOES


Touch Method one: Fast Toe Pulling Start by rapidly pulling all our
partner’s toes. Use all your fingers simultaneously and work with a rapid
snapping action as the toes are released.
Touch Method Two: Rotating & Squeezing Rotate each of your
partner’s toes both ways. Follow this with a firm squeezing action towards
the tip of the toes and release with a sliding movement.
Touch Method Three: Toe Tip Massage Here, the toe is held between
two fingers and the extreme tip is massaged vigorously with a circular
motion.

 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.

 1. FLEXING THE ANKLE BACKWARDS


Stretched: Peroneus longus (upward), tibialis posterior
(upward), soleus.

6. STRETCHING THE ARCHED FOOT


Grasp your partner’s foot with your thumbs over the front of her
ankle. Lean back as you press down with the base of your thumbs to
stretch her foot into an arched position. Repeat this stretch twice: first,
with your hands around her instep and then again nearer her toes which
then again nearer her toes which are arched downwards.

 Improves the lateral flexibility of the foot and strengthens the instep.

7. ROTATING THE FOOT


While supporting your partner’s leg above the ankle, firmly grasp
her foot from below and rotate it several times in both directions.
 Improves flexibility of the ankles.

8. ROTATING THE HEEL


Grasp your partner’s heel as shown and then rotate it with a
simultaneous squeezing action.

9. PRESSING THE FOOT SEN


Grasp your partner’s foot in both hands so that your fingertips are
lined up along the energy channels on the sole. Using the fingers of both
your hands simultaneously, dig your fingertips right into the sole and press
deeply with a squeezing action into the central and then the two lateral
Sen channels in turn. Then thumb press along all five Sen channels.

 Promotes improved foot flexibility and stimulates Sen energy flow.

10. PUMMELING THE HEEL


Stretching your partner’s toes towards her head, pummel the
underside of her heel using your clenched first
Now repeat Techniques 1-10 as described above on her other foot.
 Stimulates energy flow in the feet, creasing a feeling of
groundedness.

 6. STRETCHED THE ARCHED FOOT


Stretched: Foot flexors, tibialis anterior
 7. ROTATING THE FOOT Stretched: soleus, foot extensors and
flexors
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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).

Lesson Two: The Feet & Legs

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.

In the second part of Lesson Two, the leg is placed in every


position possible to give complete access to the Sen. The
techniques are applied first to one leg and then repeated on the
other.
Sen channels on the legs
Energy balance in the leg Sen is essential for energy balance in the
spine. Throughout the bodywork, Thais place much emphasis on the legs
as energy flow through them strongly affects the health of the upper body.
There is no general agreement as to the exact course of the Sen channels
or even the precise number but many experts consider there to be three
lines on the inside and three on the outside of each leg. This corresponds
to the Chinese energy meridians, the exact courses of which have been
confirmed by Russian scientists.

Inside Leg Sen Channels


The Sen channels on the inside of the leg are located as follows:
  - Chinese Spleen meridian. This begins under the inner ankle
bone and runs just along the inner edge of the shin bone to just
beneath the knee. It then runs up the thigh to the top of the groin.
  - Chinese Liver meridian. This starts in front of the inner ankle
bone and runs up the middle of the inner side of the calf muscle to
just below the knee level. It restarts above the knee and runs
roughly parallel with channel  to the groin.
  - Chinese Kidney meridian. This begins between the Achilles
tendon and the inner ankle bone and runs along the calf to a point
just on the back knee crease. It continues above the knee to deep
inside the groin.

Outside Leg Sen channels


Sen channels on the outside of the leg are located as follows:

  - Chinese Stomach meridian. This starts on the front of the ankle


and runs parallel to the outer edge of the shin bone (tibia) to a point
just below the knee. It restarts on the thigh just above and in line
with the outer edge of the patella, and runs directly towards the hip
joint.
  - Chinese Gallbladder meridian. This begins on the lower front
edge of the ankle bone and runs towards the side of the knee
diverging slightly from channel  as it goes. It restarts on the side of
the thigh, about one thumb-width behind channel  and runs
roughly parallel to it towards the hip joint.
  - Chinese Bladder meridian. This starts between the Achilles
tendon and the outer ankle bone. It runs up the midline of the back
of the calf and continues up the back midline of the thigh.
ABOVE: The three inner Sen and the two outer Sen channels.
The third outer Sen channels is under the straight leg and
cannot be sen in this position.

Pressing the legs


1. PRESSING THE INNER FEET & LEGS
Simultaneously palm press your partner’s feet and ankles, rocking
them outwards or form side to side. Then proceed up the inner margin of
her legs to the groin, and back again. Do not press her knee directly but
lightly rub it. Repeat several times.
Remember to maintain an even rhythm as sharp discontinuities in the
technique will spoil the relaxing flow for the recipient.
 Loosens hip joints and unblocks the Sen channels in both legs.
 The gentle rocking motion has a pleasantly calming effect on your
partner.

2. PRESSING THE INNER RIGHT LEG


Touch Method One: Palm Pressing Kneel between your partner’s legs
facing the inside of her right leg. Starting above and below her right knee,
palm press with both hands simultaneously up the thigh and down the calf,
and them return.
You could also start just above the ankle using both hands side by
side and gradually palm press up the leg and down again. Repeat, palm-
pressing each Sen channel.
Touch Method Two: Thumb Pressing Using the thumb walking
technique, thumb up Sen channel 1. to your partner's knee, down line 2. to
her ankle, up line 3. to her knee and down line two again. Repeat this
sequence several times.
When you have finished thumbing the lower leg, move up and repeat
the sequence on the upper Sen channels spanning the knee to the groin.
Finish by palming her leg once more.
 Assists myofascial release and stimulates energy flow in the Sen.

3. PRESSING THE OUTER RIGHT LEG


Now change position to outside the right leg and repeat the palming
and thumbing sequences on the outer energy lines of your partner’s right
leg. Repeat on the left leg.

 Assists the flow of energy in the legs and can also relieve sciatic
pain.

 1. PRESSING THE INNER FEET & LEG

Stretched: Soleus, gastrocnemius, adductors

 2. PRESSING THE INNER RIGHT LEG

Stretched: Soleus, gastrocnemius, adductors


 3. PRESSING THE OUTER RIGHT LEG

Stretched: Peroneus longus, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris,


vastus lateralis

Massaging the right


1. PRESSING THE LEG IN THE TREE POSITION
Touch Method One: Place you partner’s right leg in the tree position,
keeping the foot tucked against her straight leg. Support her left hip with
your right hand while you palm up your right hand while you palm up and
down the inner Sen channels of the bent leg with a slight rocking action.
Do not hurry your movements – the presses should be sustained.

Touch Method Two: thumb Pressing Proceed from palming to thumbing,


which is carried out in exactly the same way as described earlier.
 Aids flexibility and relaxation of the knee and hip.
 Promotes energy flow in channels that affect the urino-genital
organs.

2. BUTTERFLY PRESSING THE LEG IN THE TREE


POSITION
Slightly alter your position facing directly towards your partner’s
flexed knee. Using both hands simultaneously, butterfly press the entire
length of the flexed leg.
 Even the stiffest hips and knees can be coaxed into a state of
relaxation and release.
 Especially helpful for those who experience spasms and stiffness in
the adductor muscles of the thigh.

3. FOOT PRESSING THE LEG IN THE


TREE POSITION
Touch Method one: Assume a kneeling stance, balancing yourself by
lightly leaning on your partner’s thigh and knee. Use your right foot to
massage her bent leg. Press carefully and deeply all along her thigh with
your toes and the ball of your foot. Rock forward slowly to attain the
necessary pressure.
Touch Method Two: With a slight change in your position, heel press
along your partner’s calf muscles using your body weight to achiever
controlled pressure.

 Helps tight or spasming calf muscles to relax, stimulating blodd and


lymph flow.
 Treats calf muscle sports injuries.

 1. PRESSING THE LEG IN THE TREE POSITION


 2. BUTTERFLY PRESSING THE LEG IN THE TREE POSITion
 3. FOOT PRESSING THE LEG IN THE TREE POSITION

Stretched: Adductors, Sartorius


Pressed; Adductors, soleus, gracilis, semimembranosus,
semitendinosus, gastrocnemius

4. ‘SINGLE GRAPE PRESS’


Place the sole of your left foot against your partner’s right thigh just
behind and above the knee. Hold both of her feet and lean back while you
press up the thigh towards the groin and back again as if you were
treading grapes.

5. ‘SINGLE GRAPE PRESS & TWISTED VINE’


Now tuck your left foot snugly behind your partner’s knee and cross
her leg across your shin, tucking her toes behind your knee to give the
impression of a twisted vine. Hold her heel to keep the foot in this position
while you bring your foot across and place it under her right thigh. Now
press progressively with your right foot towards her groin and back again
keeping a steady slow rhythm and firm pressure. Repeat several times.
6. ‘DOUBLE GRAPE PRESS’
Release your partner’s right foot from the locked position but
continue to hold her ankles. Now press up and down her thigh using your
feet alternately. Repeat several times.

7. ‘GRAPE PRESS & SQUEEZE’


Now place your right foot on your partner’s inner thigh and slide
your left foot under the leg. Squeeze and press both the inner and outer
thighs together. Start at the knee, pressing and squeezing up the thigh and
then back to the knee. Lean your body back with each press and squeeze.

 These powerful techniques relax the inner hamstrings, enhance knee


mobility and boost Sen energies
 Some types of sciatica are eased.
 Useful for treating hamstrings injured through sport.

 4. ‘SINGLE GRAPE PRESS’

Stretched: Adductors, Sartorius, gracilis

Pressed: Adductors, hamstrings

 5. ‘SINGLE GRAPE PRESS & TWISTED VINE’

Stretched: Adductors, Sartorius, gracilis


Pressed: Adductors, hamstrings

 6. ‘DOUBLE GRAPE PRESS’

Stretched: Adductors, Sartorius, gracilis

Pressed: Adductors, hamstrings

 7. ‘GRAPE PRESS & SQUEEZE’

Stretched: Thigh adductors, Sartorius, gracilis

Pressed: Adductors, hamstrings

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.

9. PULLING THE CALF


Touch Method One: Lift your partner’s flexed leg and lock her foot
between your knees. Place your hands behind her calf muscle and pull it
towards you, rocking gently backwards. Repeat at different positions along
the calf moving towards the ankle. Repeat.
Touch Method Two: place your left hand behind your partner’s upper calf
muscle. Squeeze and simultaneously drag the muscle to your left. Change
hands and repeat in the opposite direction.

 Stimulates energy flow in the central Sen channel to ease fibrotic and
adhesive connective tissue.
 Good for football and rugby players.

10. PRESSING THE UPPER THIGH


Touch Method One: Interlock the fingers of both your hands and place
them across the top of your partner’s thigh just above the top of her knee.
Squeeze firmly with the heels of your hands to cover the full length of the
upper leg to the groin. Repeat several times.
Touch Method Two: Pummel inner and outer thighs and calves at the
same time. Repeat several times.
11. PRESSING THE UPPER THIGH
Lift your partner’s right leg and place her foot on your chest.
Support her knee with your right hand and, with your left hand, press
firmly into the thigh muscles. Gently rock her in a forwards-and-
backwards motion as you press up and down the thigh muscle.

 Gives myofascial release to the hamstring group of muscles.


 Eases hip pain and sciatica.
 8. ‘Z-STOP’ Stretched: Quadriceps, adductors

Pressed: Hamstrings, adductors, quadriceps

 9. PULLING THE CALF

Pressed: Gastrocnemius, soleus

 10. PRESSING THE UPPER THIGH

Pressed: Quadriceps, Sartorius, gracilis, semimembranosus

 11 CHEST TO FOOT THIGH PRESSING

Stretched: Gluteus maximus, quadriceps, erector spinae


Pressed: Hamstrings

12. ‘PRAYING MANTIS’


Touch Method One: Slide your partner’s foot into the area of your left
groin. Stabilize her right knee with your left hand and with your right hand,
palmar press your way along the inner margin of her thigh. Pressure
applied in this way will force the leg outward into an everted position, but
you should only attempt to press it onto the floor if your partner is very
flexible.
Touch Method Two: Swing your partner’s knee across her left hip. Use
your right hand to keep it in position and palmar press the outer margin of
her thigh with your left hand.

Note: In both of these positions, pressure should be applied rhythmically


and progressively through smooth to-and-for rocking movements (like the
characteristic motion of a praying mantis insect).
 Improves flexibility of the hip.
 Stretches buttock as well as thigh muscles
 Can be used to relieve chronic lower back pain.

13. ROTATING THE HIP


Hold your partner’s ankle with your right hand and support the top
of her knee with your left. Lean forward and rotate her thigh using small,
circular movements, increasing to larger circles but without causing pain.

 Improves flexibility of hip points, arthritic hips pain in the groin area
associated with sciatica and lower back pain.

14. KNEEING THE THIGH


Lift your partner’s right leg and place your left knee against the back
of her thigh. Hold her heel and knee and, with a gentle action, pull her
thigh against your knee. Relax the pulling force, lower your knee slightly
and pull again. Repeat several times to knee-press progressively the entire
length of the back thigh.
 Good for the treatment of tense and spasming hamstrings caused by
sports injury, repetitive strain, back pain and sciatica.

 12. ‘PRAYING MANTIS’

Stretched: Adductors, gluteals, erector spinae, quadricepss,


piriformis

Pressed: Semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris,


vastus lateralis

 13. ROTATING THE HIP


Stretched: Gluteus maximus, piriformis, sacrospinalls,
quadriceps

 14. KNEEING THE THIGH


Pressed: Hamstring
15. PRESSING THIGH TO CALF
With your left knee directed towards your partner’s right leg, place
the calf of her right leg across your thigh. Press down on her knee and
foot. Adjust the position of her leg to press the whole of her calf
progressively.

 Assists myofascial release in the calf muscles and eased the tensing
and spasming that can be caused by sports injury.

16. ‘ARM CRACKER’


Tuck your left wrist and forearm tightly in behind your partner’s
knee. Now press her foot downwards to give a very strong stretch across
the entrapped arm. Repeat two to three times.
 Treats knee pain, spasming hamstring and calf muscles.

17. FLEXING & STRETCHING THE LEG


Grasp your partner’s right heel underneath and support the side of
her knee. Flex her leg at the knee by pushing the knee and then sharply
extend it to maximum effect by pulling the heel, assisted by a quick pull on
the knee. Repeat this exercise several times.
 Powerfully loosening and stimulating on the knee joint.

 15. PRESSING THIGH TO CALF

Stretched: Anterior tibialis


Pressed: Gastrocnemius, soleus, posterior tibialis

 16. ‘ARM CRACKER’


Stretched: Anterior tibialis, ankle and foot flexors
Pressed: Hamstrings, gastrocnemius
 17. FLEXING & STRETCHING THE LEG
Stretched: Gastrocnemius, soleus (leg extended), hamstrings,
gluteus (leg flexed)

This technique must not be practiced on those who have had any
kind of knee or hip surgery.

18. PRESSING FOOT TO THIGH


Grasp your partner’s right foot. Place your right foot diagonally with
the arch across the back of her thigh. Lean back, pulling the leg towards
you to generate a strong, sustained pressure her hamstrings. Release the
pressure, move the foot to a lower position and pull. Repeat several times
to cover the whole of the thigh.
 Treats sports injuries to the hamstrings, lower back, hip pain and
some forms of sciatica.

19. ‘TUG OF WAR’


From the same position as the previous technique, push your
partner’s left knee forwards while, at the same time, repositioning your
toes so that they are grasping the lower edge of her pelvic girdle. Pressing
in with your foot, lean back strongly to straighten her leg and lift her hip
onto your toes.

 Very effective for lower back and sciatic pain.


20. PRESSING THE TURNED-IN LEG
If your partner is flexible enough, place her leg with the thigh
turned in and the lower leg everted. If not, use your own knee to support
her knee. Single of butterfly press the outer margin of the thigh.

 Very effective in the treatment of sciatica and it also improves


mobility of the knees.

21. PRESSING THE LEANING LEG


Reposition your partner’s leg so that it now leans against her
straight one. Palmar press the exposed thigh area several times. Finish by
placing one hand over the hip joint and the other on the knee, and
pressing very firmly. Hold for at least ten seconds.
 Loosens the hip joint to give enhanced flexibility and stimulates
energy flow in the outer channels.
 Aids mobility of the spine and helps to relieve lower back pain.
 Very effective for lower back and sciatic pain.

 18. PRESSING FOOT TO THIGH


Pressed: Hamstrings
 19. ‘TUG OF WAR’
Pressed: Hamstrings, gracilis
Stretched: Anterior tibialis, quadriceps
 20. PRESSING THE TURNED-IN LEG

Stretched: Quadriceps, Sartorius


Pressed: Vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, rectus femoris

 21. PRESSING THE LEANING LEG


Pressed: Vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tensor fasciae latae

22. ROCKING THE HIP


Place your partner’s right leg over her left and locate the foot in
position by placing the arch of your right foot lightly across her toes.
Tuck your left hand under her right upper hip while pushing her
right knee towards the mat on her left side. Establish a to-and-for rocking
movement aiming to get the knee closer to the floor with each rock.
 Aids lower back and hip flexibility, good for those who suffer from
lower back pain.

23. SHOULDER TO OPPOSITE KNEE


SPINAL TWIST
As you finish the previous technique, hold your partner’s right knee
down in its most extreme position, place your left hand on the front of her
right shoulder and press smoothly and firmly. Hold for at least ten seconds.
 Treats lumbar and hip pain.
 Increases spinal mobility.

When pressing your partner’s shoulder down, this must be done


carefully with full awareness of your partner’s reactions.

24. STRETCHING THE CROSSED LEG


HORIZONTALLY
Move to the other side of your partner and extend her right leg
across her left hip, holding her right ankle and pressing down on her right
hip. Stretch the leg by pushing it towards her head with your knee. Keep
the leg straight and only stretch as far as is comfortable.

 Improves hip flexibility, eases tension in the buttocks and hamstrings.


 Treats lower back pain and sciatica.
22. ROCKING THE HIP
Stretched: Quadratus lumborum, piriformis
Pressed: Vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tensor fasciae latae
23. SHOULDER TO OPPOSITE KNEE SPINAL TWIST
Stretched: Quadratus lumborum, piriformis
Pressed: Vatus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris
24. STRETCHING THE CROSSED LEG HORIZONALLY
Stretched: Gastrocnemius, biceps femris, piriformis, gluteus maximus,
soleus

Pressed: Gluteus maximus

25. PRESSING IN THE SPLITS POSITION


Spread your partner’s legs apart as far as is comfortable and hold
them in this position with your feet. Palmar and thumb press the inner Sen
channels in her lower leg and the thigh.

 Eased groin pain and treats injuries to the thigh adductors.


 Helps lymphatic drainage from the lower leg.
26. SWINGING THE LEG IN THE SPLITS
POSITION
Support the top of your partner’s thigh (right) with your right hand
and grasp her heel with the other. Swing her leg out to the side as far as is
comfortable for her. Then swing backwards and forwards several times.

 Treats pain in the thigh adductors and groin.


 Aids hip mobility.

27. HALF LOTUS PRESS


Touch Method One: Lift your partner’s leg into a Half Lotus position with
her ankle lying above her left knee. Should she be very stiff, you will need
to support her flexed leg across your knee. With your right hand holding
down her left thigh, press up and down the inner energy Sen of her flexed
leg with a rocking motion.
Touch Method Two: Repeat, using the thumb walking technique.
 Aids flexibility of the ankles, knees and hips.
 Provides intense stimulation of the inner Sen to help rmove energy
blocks.

28. HALF LOTUS HIP ROCK


With your partner still in the Half Lotus position, lift her straightened
left leg across your right thigh. Holding the foot and knee of her flexed
right leg, rock the knee to and fro sideways.
 Improves knee and hip mobility and treats lower lumbar, sacral and
sciatic pain.

 25. PRESSING IN THE SPLITS POSISION


Stretched: Adductors, gracilis, gastrocnemius, hamstrings
Pressed: All the stretched muscles
 26. SWINGING THE LEG IN THE SPLITS POSITION
Stretched: Adductors, gracilis, gastrocnemius, hamstrings
Pressed: All the stretched muscles
 27. HALF LOTUS PRESS
Stretched: Adductors, gracilis
Pressed: Adductors, gracilis
 28. HALF LOTUS HIP ROCK
Stretched: Hamstrings (straight leg), gluteus maxmus (flexed leg)
29. HALF LOTUS BACK ROCK & ROLL
Still in the Half Lotus, hold your partner’s right heel and push her
right leg forward over her head while stabilizing her buttocks with your
other hand. Establish a to-and-fro rocking action.

 Eases back pain and improves back and hip mobility.

Do not attempt large-scale rocking with elderly, fragile or very stiff


partners.

30. VERTICAL HALF LOTUS THIGH PRESS


Maintaining the Half Lotus, lift your partner’s straightened left leg
into a vertical position, supporting her ankle against your shoulder. Hold
the ankle of her other foot and palmar press the exposed thigh from knee
to buttock keeping your arm straight and rocking forward with each press.
 Treats lower back pain and sciatica and improves mobility in the hip
and knee.

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.

Be careful not to overdo the twisting action. If your partner is very


stiff, stand further back with your right leg and only raise and push her
straight leg as far as it will comfortably go without twisting the hips with
your other leg. Do not use on elderly people.

 29. HALF LOTUS BACK ROCK & ROLL

Stretched: Hamstrings (straight leg); adductors, gracilis (flexed


leg)
 30. VERTICAL HALF LOTUS THIGH PRESS

Stretched: Gluteus maximus (bent leg); soleus, gastrocnemius,


hamstrings (straight leg)

 31. CORKSCREW

Stretched: Adductors, vastus medialis, gracilis (flexed leg),


gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings (straight leg)

32. RAISED FOOT LEG STRETCH


Grasp your partner’s right heel and lift her leg while pressing down
on the top of her thigh with your other hand. As you lift, simultaneously
press down on the sole of her foot with your forearm.

 Helps myofascial release in the calf muscles to ease pain and tension.

33. VERTICAL LEG STRETCH


Raise your partner’s right leg to as hear vertical as is comfortable
and support her heel or ankle against the front of your shoulder. Keep her
leg straight with your other hand across her knee. Kneel very lightly across
her left thigh to hold it down. Gently push the leg forward several times,
each time slightly increasing the stretch.

 Treats and relaxes tense or spasming calf and hamstring muscles


resulting from sports injuries, sciatica and back pain.

34. SEESAW LEG STRETCH


Sit very lightly on your partner’s right groin facing her feet. Grasp
her right foot with both hands and lift the leg towards you.
 Relieves knee ligament pain and treats spasming or injured calf and
hamstring muscles.

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

Stretched: Hamstrings, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius, soleus


longus, gastrocnemius, soleus

 33. VERTICAL LEG STRETCH

Stretched: Hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus


(foot pressed down)

 34. SEESAW LEG STRETCH

Stretched: Gastrocnemius, hamstrings

Pressed: Quadriceps

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Subscr

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).

Lessong Three:Both Legs & Back


The aim of Lesson Three is to stimulate energy flow between the trunk
and legs. A healthy backbone needs to bend and rotate in many directions.
Pain in the lumbar area is very common and can be caused not only by sports
injuries, but by poor posture. Acute pain can be triggered by sudden twisting
of the waist or lifting heavy loads. Many of the techniques featured here
provide powerful muscle stretches which can correct postural imbalances and
relax spasming muscles, thereby relieving back pain.
Above: Shown are the third outer Sen channels on each leg and the two Sen on either side of
the spine, the health of which depends on the free flow of energy through them.

Sen channels on the legs and back


   - Chinese Bladder meridian. This starts between the Achilles
tendon and the outer ankle bone and runs up the back of the leg
approximately on the midline to the lower border of the buttocks.
   - Thai bodywork uses two back Sen channels along the Chinese
Bladder meridian. There are two lines on each side of the spine. The
inner one is about two finger-widths and the outer one four finger-
widths from the midline of the spine.

1. PRESSING THE INNER FEET & LEGS


Repeat the first technique in a step 1 (pressing the leg in the three
positions) of theme ‘Massaging the right leg only’ of Lesson Two. Re-
establishing contact with the feet encourages a sense of body and mind
integration and general well-being. As the inner Sen start on the feet and
legs, pressing the inner legs stimulates energy flow between the legs and
trunk.

2. LEG BLOOD STOP


Your partner should be lying supine in a totally relaxed position with
his legs slightly apart. Kneel and palm up both his thighs until your palms
reach the groin area. Press down and adjust your hands until you feel his
blood pulsing through the femoral arteries beneath the heels of your
palms. Now lift your body by straightening your legs or arching your
buttocks. This will focus your weight on your palms, thus increasing
pressure on his arteries to restrict the flow of blood through them. Hold for
thirty to fifty seconds.
 When blood flow into the legs is interrupted, the entire circulation
including lymphatic drainage is reduced or completely stopped. The
swift rush of blood into the legs is accompanied by a sudden spread
of warmth down to the feet as full circulation is restored. After this
treatment the legs feel very light.

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.

 1. PRESSING THE INNER FEET & LEGS


Stretched: Adductors
 2. LEG BLOOD STOP
Pressed: Adductors
3. BOW & ARROW SPINAL TWIST
Tuck your right heel behind your partner’s left flexed knee and
grasp and pull his left forearm towards you, keeping his left leg firmly
located on the mat. Now lean across and grasp under his left shoulder with
both hands and pull it up towards you.

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.

 Has a soothing effect on those who experience stiffness in the hip


region, sciatica and lower back pain. In addition to the rotation
imposed on the hip joint, a twisting action on the lumbar vertebral
also occurs and this relaxes muscles in the hip.

 3. BOW & ARROW SPINAL TWIST


Stretched: Quadatus lumborum, rhomboideus major and
minor, levator acapulae, iliacus, psoas major
 4. ROTATING THE HIPS
Stretched: Gluteus maximus, quadriceps (slight stretch),
quadratus lumborum
5. SHAKING THE LEGS

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.

6. SWINGING THE LEGS


Now hold your partner’s legs at the ankles and swing from side to
side at least fifteen times. Start with small, slow swings that gradually get
bigger and faster.
 Essential for those suffering from lower back pain and sciatica. These
techniques can also be used on those who suffer from varicose veins.
7. ROCKING & ROLLING THE BACK
Use your right hand to hold your partner’s heels so that both his
legs are straight. Push his feet forward over his head using your other
hand to help lift his buttocks. Determine how far he can comfortably roll
back and then proceed to rock and roll to-and-fro up to this limit. This
requires a very smooth and controlled rocking action from you.

 Helps to ease middle and upper back pain.


Care must be taken not to over-stretch anyone to whom you are
giving massage for the first time.

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.

 7. ROCKING & ROLLING THE BACK


Stretched: Erector spinae, gastrocnemius
 8. THE PLOUGH
Stretched: Adductors, soleus, hamstrings, gluteus maximus,
erector spinae

 9. KNEEING THE BACKS OF THE THIGHS


Stretched: Erector spinae, gluteus maximus
Pressed: Hamstrings, lower part of gluteus maximus

10. KNEEING THE BUTTOCKS


Lift your partner’s buttocks off the mat and support with both hands
while you knead them deeply with circular movements of your knees.

 Treats sciatica pain.


11. SHINNING THE THIGHS
Good balance is required for the correct execution of this technique.
Bend your partner’s right leg into a right angle so that his thigh is lying
against his abdomen. Hold the other leg outwards and then lean your left
knee inwards so that your shin presses against his thigh. Shin progressively
along the entire length of his thing with a to-and-fro rocking motion
between each shin press.

 Another excellent treatment for sciatica; also very effective for


myofascial release around the hamstrings, particularly for those who
do a great deal of sport.
12. THE HALF BRIDGE
Press your partner’s knees down towards his abdomen and, with your
feet slightly apart, bend your knees forward against the arches of his feet.
Grasp his knees between your interlocked hands. Lean back with your
full body weight, at the same time bending your legs until they form a 90˚
angle. Your partner’s buttocks will be raised from the mat and, at the most
extreme position, only his head, shoulders and arms will still remain on the
mat. Hold for at least fifteen seconds, giving his back a big stretch.
 Increases blood flow to the head and neck to give your partner an
alert and lively feeling.
 Eases lower back pain.

Do not use this technique on those with cardiac problems and high
blood pressure.

 10. KNEEING THE BUTTOCKS


Stretched: Erector spinae, Gluteus maximus
Pressed: Gluteus maximus
 11. SHINNING THE THIGHS
Stretched: Gluteus maximus
Pressed: Hamstrings

 12. THE HALF BRIDGE


Stretched: Quadriceps, rectus abdominis, erector spinae
13. INTIMATE BACK STRETCH
Kneeling, push your partner’s legs forward until his buttocks lift and
slide your knees and thighs under them. When you are in position, grasp
your hands around his legs just above knee level and, leaning backwards;
hug his legs against you to give his back a good stretch. This is a safe and
gentle back stretch compared with the Half Bridge.
 Treats tension and pain in the lower back.
14. LIFTING HEAD TO STRAIGHT KNEES
Align your partner’s legs firmly against the front of your own and lean
forward to grasp each arm around the wrist. Lean your weight backwards
and pull his upper body forwards and upwards.
Hold the extreme position for up to ten seconds and then gently
lower his upper body onto the mat. Repeat this exercise twice and maintain
a slow, steady rhythm throughout.

15. LIFTING HEAD TO CROSSED KNEES


As you finish the previous exercise, flex your partner’s legs at the
knees and cross his ankles, adjusting their position so that the side of each
ankle rests against the front of your shins just below your knees. Now
grasp his wrists and raise his upper body towards you, just as you did in
the last technique. Hold for at least ten seconds and then repeat.
 Improves shoulder and hip mobility. All the stretched muscles are
relaxed.
 Can ease sciatic pain.

Good flexibility when the legs are straight is no necessarily an


accurate guide to your partner’s flexibility when his legs are crossed. Some
people have very restricted lateral movement in their hips and/or ankles
but good mobility in the forward/backward direction.
Home

Subs

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).

Lesson Four: Chest & Abdomen

The techniques demonstrated in Lesson Four stimulate the energies


of the internal organs. Deep and thorough abdominal massage boosts the
immune system. Always allow three hours after a meal before working the
abdomen.
Deciding on what degree of pressure is just right for a particular
individual can be difficult. People vary enormously in their ability to tolerate
pressure. In Western cultures people are unused to having their abdomens
deeply massage. That massage techniques for the abdomen are deeply
penetrating. Be attentive to your partner’s facial expressions and body
reactions, and always obtain verbal confirmation that the pressure exerted is
tolerable.

Sen channels on the abdomen


ABOVE: these are the nine pressure points on the abdomen, which must be thoroughly
pressed if energy balance in the internal organs is to be achieved.
There are nine pressure areas or zones in the abdomen, with the
navel in the center. Start in the lower right section and always press
around the abdomen in a clockwise direction.
There are two main techniques. Firstly, thumb walks the lines on
the diagram. Start at zone  and thumb walks all around the edge to zone
. You can then vary this pattern by going  -  -  -  -  -  - 
and then  - .
Secondly, double palm press zones  -  on the right side and then
move to the left side and press zones  - .
1. PRESSING THE CHEST, SHOULDERS
& ARMS
With your arms straight, palm your partner’s upper pectoral region
using a slow, rocking movement of your body to generate pressure.
Take care not to press this area too hard. If your partner is a man,
you can palm the entire pectoral area. Now extend the palming down the
arms to the hands, keeping the pressure even through. Palm back up the
arms and repeat the palming of the pectorals.

 Techniques 1, 2 and 3 are designed to tone the internal organs,


particularly the lungs, and benefit asthma/bronchitis sufferers.
 Palming the arms contributes to the overall energy balance within the
body.

2. PRESSING THE CHEST


Maintaining your position, use both hands as shown to palm press
down the mid-line of your partner’s chest on the breastbone. Press with a
to-and-fro pushing movement to create a rocking effect and, with a female
partner, always restrict your pressing to these areas.
 1. PRESSING THE CHEST, SHOULDERS & ARMS
Pressed: Pectorals, deltoids, biceps, wrist extensors

3. PRESSING BETWEEN THE RIPS (INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES)

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.

5. PALM PRESSING THE ABDOMEN


Imagine your partner’s abdomen divided into nine equal zones with
the navel in the center. Begin in zone 1. As she exhales, press with the
heels of both hands aiming towards the navel and gradually and carefully
increase the pressure. Hold for up to two minutes.
Ask her to take a deep breath as you release the pressure. Repeat
for zones 2 to 5. Move to her left and continue on zones 6 to 9.
 Regular massage using Exercises 5 and 6 aids digestion, relieves
heartburn and constipation, also the heaviness experienced in the
lower abdomen during the premenstrual period.

6. PRESSING FEET TO STOMACH


Sit between your partner’s legs, hold her hands and carefully place
the balls of your feet side by side on the upper abdomen. Press alternately
with care to cover the whole abdomen.
 Regular massage using Exercises 5 and 6 aids digestions, relieves
heartburn and constipations, also the heaviness experienced in the
lower abdomen during the premenstrual period.

 3. PRESSING BETWEEN THE RIBS


Pressed: intercostals

 4. THUMB WALKING THE ABDOMEN


Pressed: All abdominals

 5. PALM PRESSING THE ABDOMEN


Pressed: All abdominals

 6. PRESSING FEET TO STOMACH


Pressed: All abdominals
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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).

Lesson Five: Arms, Hands, Neck & Face

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.

B. Outer Sen Channels

  - 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.

1. PRESSING THE INNER ARM


Touch Method One: Palmar Pressing Place your partner’s arm at right
angles to her body with the palm uppermost. Palm the inner Sen keeping
your arms straight and bring your body weight forward to create slow,
deep pressure. Do this several times, both up and down the Sen.
Touch Method Two: Thumb Pressing Thumb the three Sen channels
using the thumb walking technique. Maintain a slow, steady rhythm
throughout and cover the channels, working up and down at least three
times.

2. PRESSING THE OUTER ARM


Touch Method one: Lift your partner’s arm and place it palm downwards
across her chest. This exposes the outer Sen channels which can now be
palmed and thumbed using exactly the same techniques as those used on
the inner Sen channels.
Touch Method Two: place your partner’s arm palm downwards on the
mat. Change your kneeling position to one behind her arm. Palm and
thumb the outer Sen channels again.
 Relieves pain and stiffness in wrists, elbows and upper arms.
Balances Sen energies.

 1. PRESSING THE INNER ARM

Pressed: Biceps, wrist flexors

 2. PRESSING THE OUTER ARM

Pressed: Deltoids, wrist extensors


3. FOOT TO ARMPIT STRETCH
Hold your partner’s left hand and carefully place your foot in her
armpit. Lean back to create a strong pull against the pressure of your foot.
Hold for ten seconds.

 Stretches the shoulder muscles to relieve tension.

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

Pressed: Deltoid, rhomboideus, trapezius, infraspinatus,


supraspinatus

 4. STRETCHING THE ARM IN THE TRIANGLE POSITION

Stretched: Triceps, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, wrist flexors


Pressed: Triceps
5. PRESSING THE TENDONS OF THE
UPPER HAND
Starting from the wrist each time, thumb press along and across each
of the five main tendons on the back of your partner’s hand.

6. ROTATING, PRESSING & PULLING THE FINGERS


Touch Method one: holding each finger in turn at the finger-tips, rotate
the fingers several times in both directions.
Touch Method Two: Now squeeze up and down each finger using your
index finger and thumb. Squeeze first along the top and underside of each
finger, followed by lateral squeezing.
Touch Method Three: Pull each finger in turn and use a strong, sliding
action to create the necessary extension. Do not be deterred by any
cracking sounds that you hear when sharply extending the finger joints as
these are not harmful.

 Strengthens the fingers and guards against osteo-arthritis.

7. KNEE TO HAND PRESSING


Press your partner’s left palm against your knee upper shin to flex
the wrist and fingers backwards. Thumb press the heel of the palm and the
wrist.
 Relieves carpal tunnel syndrome, numbness and stiffness.

8. INTERLOCKED HAND PRESSING


With your partner’s palm uppermost, interlock your fingers with
those of your partner as follows:

 The fourth finger between fingers five and four.


 Your fifth finger between fingers four and three.
 Your right-hand fifth finger between fingers three and two.
 Your third and fourth fingers between index finger and thumb.

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.

9. ROTATING THE WRIST


Support your partner’s forearm near the wrist and use an
interlocked finger grip to rotate her wrist strongly, first one way and then
the other.

 Improves overall wrist mobility and relives numbness of the wrists


and hands.

10. PULLING THE ARMS


Touch Method One: Vertical Arms Standing behind your partner’s
shoulders, grasp both her hands and then pull both arms up and down,
lifting each shoulder alternately.
Touch Method Two: Backward Pull Now step back from your partner and
pull both her arms together leaning with your body weight to create the
pull.
 Reduces tension in the shoulders and improves mobility of the
shoulders.

 7. KNEE TO HAND PRESSING

Stretched: Hand flexors

 8. INTERLOCKED HAND PRESSING

Stretched: Hand flexors

 9. ROTATING THE WRIST

Stretched: Wrist & hand, flexors & extensors


 10. PULLING THE ARMS

Stretched: Trapezius, deltoids, infraspinatus, rhomboideus, biceps,


pectoralis major
11. PRESSING THE SHOULDERS
Kneel behind your partner’s head. Press and push the top of her
shoulders with both hands, initially sustaining the press for several
seconds. Then press and push alternately without holding the presses.
Finally, thumb press along the upper border of her collar bone and over the
upper regions of the pectoral muscles.

 Helps take tension from the neck and shoulders, and improves
shoulder mobility.

12. PRESSING THE NECK


Support the base of your partner’s head with one hand, lifting it
slightly forward so that your other hand can press up and down the
muscles on one side of her neck. Swap hands to press the other side.
Turn your partner’s head to the right so that it rests on the right
temple. Press along the full length of the sternocleidomastoid muscle with
your left thumb.
13. STRETCHING THE NECK
Place both hands under your partner’s lower neck and pull them
towards you to create a mild traction on the neck. Repeat several times.
Keeping a slight traction, press with your fingers into the soft tissue
immediately behind the base of the skull. Hold for up to one minute. Allow
the weight of the head to generate the pressure.

14. PULLING THE TURNED HEAD


Place your right hand under your partner’s chin and your left hand
under the base of her skull using equal pressure with both hands. Pull her
head back very gently and carefully. Hold the pull for at least ten seconds.

 Relaxes the neck muscles, eases headaches and improves mobility of


the neck.

15. MASSAGING THE FACE & HEAD


Sitting behind your partner’s head, place both thumbs on top her
forehead on the hairline. Press evenly on either side of her face following
the directions of the arrows as shown.
16. MASSAGING THE EARS
Cup and cover your partner’s ears with the palm of your hands to
create a suction. Hold for 30 seconds and then release.
 Clears blocked ears.

 11. PRESSING THE SHOULDERS

Pressed: Trapezius

 12. PRESSING THE NECK

Pressed: Sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae

 14. PULLING THE TURNED HEAD

Stretched: Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, erector spinae, levator


scapulae
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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).

Lesson Six: Lying on Either Side


The techniques featured in this lesson access to the
Sen energy channels in the side position and provide an
opportunity to reach muscles that cannot be effectively treated in
the other positions. Each side of the body is treated in turn, first
with your partner on one side using Exercises 1-23, which are
then repeated when he is lying on the other side. If you decide to
do only some of the techniques shown, remember to repeat each
one on the other side of the body. Refer to the Mechanics of
Thai Massage for the basic techniques of pressing and
manipulation.
Sen channels in the side position

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.

Touch Method Two: Thumb Walking Starting on your partner’s inside


lower leg, thumb walk deeply along the Sen channels.
 Pressing the inner Sen channels promotes energy movement through
the abdomen and is good for PMT, genital problems and swelling.

2. PRESSING THE FLEXED LEG


First, palm the outer Sen channels of your partner’s flexed leg. Then
thumb walk the Sen energy channels on the lower and the upper leg in
turn.

 Stimulates movement of intrinsic energy and helps to release


blockages which cause pain and stiffness. Eases and soothes sciatic
pain in the legs.

 1. PRESSING THE BACK OF THE EXTENDED LEG

Pressed: Soleus, gastrocnemius, hamstrings, adductor muscles

 2. PRESSING THE FLEXED LEG

Pressed: Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, tensor fasciae latae,


vastus alteralis, ilio-tibial tract
3. PRESSING AROUND THE HIP JOINT
With your partner’s right leg still in the flexed position, press deeply
with your thumbs and palms around his hip joint. Finally elbow press by
leaning in gradually with your body weight to give more pressure.

 Wonderfully effective in the treatment of sciatica.

4. SIDE SINGLE GRAPE PRESS


Grasp both your partner’s ankles and use your right foot to press up
and down his thigh. Generate pressure by leaning back and pulling both his
legs.
 Eases hip pain.
 Encourages relaxation of the hamstring muscles.

5. SIDE SINGLE GRAPE PRESS & TWISTED VINE


As you complete the previous technique, tuck your foot behind your
partner’s right knee and cross his right foot over your right shin. Tuck his
toes in behind your knee, holding his heel with your right hand. Press up
and down his thigh using your left foot.

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.

7. FOOT PRESSING THIGHS & CALVES


WITH CHAIR
Use a chair to provide you with support as you very carefully step
onto the lower part of your partner’s flexed legs only, as shown. Without
moving the position of your feet on his legs, slowly rock from one foot to
the other. Now move your feet to a new position and then repeat.

 Relaxes tense and sore muscles and tendons; eases sciatic pain.

 3. PRESSING AROUND THE HIP JOINT

Pressed: Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, tensor


fasciae latae
 4. SIDE SINGLE GRAPE PRESS

Pressed: Hamstrings, gluteus maximus, adductors, gracilis

 5. SIDE SINGLE GRAPE PRESS & TWISTED VINE

Pressed: Hamstrings, gluteus maximus, adductors, gracilis

 6. SIDE Z-STOP

Stretched: Quadriceps
Pressed: Hamstrings, quadriceps

 7. FOOT PRESSING THIGHS & CALVES WITH CHAIR

Pressed: Gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings

Do not attempt this exercise on someone who is lighter than you.


8. PRESSING THE BACK IN THE SIDE POSITION
Touch Method One: Palmar Pressing Kneel behind your partner and
make sure that his left leg is flexed in front of him to give good support
when pressure is applied to his back. Palm press along the two Sen
channels to the left of his spine with a rocking movement.

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.

9. ROTATING THE SHOULDER


Grasp your partner’s right shoulder firmly with both your hands.
Rotate his shoulder according to his flexibility. Ideally, the rotation should
utilize the full range of mobility available to you.
 Restores shoulder mobility.

10. ROTATING THE SHOULDER WITH


ELBOW LEVER
Maintain your grasp on your partner’s right shoulder and place your
right elbow on his lower back to the right of his spine. Lean forwards so
that you can use your elbow as a lever against which you can pull his
shoulder as you rotate.
 Improves shoulder mobility and eases shoulder pain.
 Relieves pain and tension between the shoulder blades.

11. PRESSING THE KNEE-SUPPORTED ARM


Extend your partner’s right arm and lay it across your left knee.
Then palm up and down his arm slowly and firmly several times. Using
your right hand press his axilla while simultaneously pulling his arm back.

 Stretches the pectoral muscles and assists myofascial release in the


deltoid and biceps muscles.

 8. PRESSING THE BACK IN THE SIDE POSITION

Pressed: Erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus,


quadratus lumborum, trapezius, infraspinatus,
rhomboideus major & minor
 9. ROTATING THE SHOULDER

Stretched: Upper trapezius, pectoralis major, infrapinatus,


rhomboideus minor & major

 10. ROTATING THE SHOULDER WITH ELBOW LEVER

Stretched: Pectoralis major, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid,


levator scapulae

 11. PRESSING THE KNEE SUPPORTED ARM

Pressed: Biceps, deltoid, flexor muscles of the wrists & hands

12. STRETCHING THE VERTICAL ARM SIDEWAYS


Holding your partner’s right hand and wrist, tuck the outside of
your lower right leg snugly against your partner’s back across the shoulder
blades. As you lean back, pull vertically upwards and backwards on his
arm, which will be stretched against the outer margin of you right leg. Hold
the extreme position for a few seconds and then relax. Repeat several
times.
 Improves shoulder mobility.
 Eases tension and pain in the elbow region.

13. PULLING THE ARM IN THE SIDE POSITION


Change your position to pull your partner’s arm right back over his
head. Relax and then repeat this technique two or three times holding the
extreme position in each instance for a few seconds.

 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.

14. PRESSING THE ARM AGAINST THE


SIDE
Lay your partner’s right arm along his side. Press with both hands
along the outer Sen channels of his arm. Then thumb walk the Sen
channels. Finally, press his wrist and shoulder to give the arm a stretch.

 Stimulates the flow of energy in the Sen channels which contributes


to overall energy balance.

15. STRETCHING THE ARM IN THE TRIANGLE


POSITION
Flex your partner’s arm at the elbow and place his hand behind his
head with his fingers directed towards his shoulder. Palm the exposed
upper arm and along the side of his body to the hips. Stretch the side,
pressing the elbow and hip.
 Stretches muscles down the side of the body that rarely experience
any strong extension.

16. SHOULDER TO OPPOSITE KNEE SPINAL TWIST


With your left hand on your partner’s right shoulder and your other
hand on his right knee, press down and outwards carefully to generate a
good stretch with a twisting action on his spine. Hold the twist for a few
seconds.
 Aids spinal flexibility and eases back pain.

 12. STRETCHING THE VERTICAL ARM SIDEWAYS

Stretched: Pectoralis major, trapezius, rhomboideus, teres major,


intraspinatus

 13. PULLING THE ARM IN THE SIDE POSITION

Stretched: Latissimus dorsi, teres major, subscapularis

 14. PRESSING THE ARM AGAINST THE SIDE

Pressed: Deltoid, biceps, triceps, hand & wrist extensors

 15. STRETCHING THE ARM IN THE TRIANGLE POSITION

Stretched: Latissimus dorsi, triceps, pectoralis major, hand & wrist


flexors, abdominal obliques, quadratus lumborum,
teres major

 16. SHOULDER TO OPPOSITE KNEE SPINAL TWIST

Stretched: Abdominal obliques, quadratus lumborum, gluteus


maximus, pectoralis major
Pressed: Pectoralis major, vastus lateralis, quadriceps

17. KNEE TO KNEE HIP FLEX


Step over your partner’s left leg and position yourself with your left
leg pressed tightly against his. Hold his right ankle and tuck your right knee
behind his while you press down on his right hip. Then push forward and
rock with your knee to generate a series of strong hip flexions.
 Increases hip mobility and eases lower back pain and sciatica.

18. STRETCHING THE CROSSED LEG


HORIZONTALLY
Straighten your partner’s right leg across his left hip, holding his
right ankle and pressing down on his right hip. Stretch the leg by pushing it
towards his head with your knee. Keep the leg straight and only stretch as
far as is comfortable.
 Improves hip flexibility; eases sciatica and tension in the buttocks,
lower back, and hamstrings.

19. KNEE PIVOT HIP STRETCH


Place your left knee in the center of your partner’s right buttock.
Grasp his right leg and pull it towards you, using your knee as a pivot to
help generate a big stretch in the muscles at the front of the hip and thigh.
Hold for several seconds. Relax slowly and repeat once or twice.

 Eases hip pain and sciatica.

20. SIDE BACK BOW


Seat yourself on the floor behind your partner with your legs out-
stretched. Position your feet so that the right one is against his pelvic arch
and the left one is across his lumbar region.
Pull your partner’s arm and leg towards you, leaning backwards to
pull his back against your feet so creating a bow shape through the arm,
spine and leg. Hold this pose for a minute or more.

 Improves flexibility of the spine in a backward direction and eases


lower back pain.

 17. KNEE TO KNEE HIP FLEX

Stretched: Gluteus maximus, rectus femoris


Pressed: Hamstrings, gluteus maximus

 18. STRETCHING THE CROSSED LEG HORIZONALLY

Stretched: Gluteus maximus, piriformis, hamstrings,


gastrocnemius, soleus
Pressed: Gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae

 19. KNEE PIVOT HIP STRETCH


Stretched: Quadriceps, gracilis, Sartorius, adductors, iliacus,
psoas major
Pressed: Gluteus maximus

 20. SIDE BACK BOW

Stretched: Quadriceps, psoas major, iliacus, rectus abdominis,


pectoralis major
Pressed: Erector spinae, gluteus maximus

21. LATERAL SCISSOR STRETCH


Assume a standing position behind your partner and hold his right
arm and leg as shown. Place the arch of your left foot across the top of his
right buttock. Maintain only a slight tension on his arm, but pull and lift his
leg towards you countering the movement with downward pressure from
your foot. Do not press too hard. When you have achieved the appropriate
degree of stretch, hold the position for ten seconds.
 Treats hip pain, sciatica and pain down the side of the leg, also lower
back pain.
 Improves spinal flexibility.

For very stiff people, just lifting the leg and arm without using your foot
will produce a powerful not to overdo the stretching movements.

22. CROSSED SCISSOR STRETCH


Still holding your partner’s right arm, change your position so that
you are holding his left leg and move your foot slightly away from his
buttock to his extreme lower back. Repeat the stretch as described in the
last exercise.
 As lateral Scissor Stretch (above).

23. PULLING SPINAL TWIST


Put your right knee into your partner’s right buttock while pulling his
left arm by leaning backwards with your body weight. Hold for a few
seconds, release slowly and repeat once or twice.

24. LIFTING SPINAL TWIST


Bend your partner’s right leg to form a 90˚-angle in front of him,
tuck your right foot under the flexed knee and place your left foot on the
mat behind him so that the inner margin of your lower leg is firmly against
his lower back.
Hold his left wrist as shown and lean backwards using your weight
to lift him. Hold for several seconds before lowering him gently to the floor.
Repeat twice.
 Exercises 23 and 24 stretch the muscles between the shoulders and
help to ease frozen shoulders and tennis elbow.

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.

 21. LATERAL SCISSOR STRETCH

Stretched: Rectus abdominis, iliacus, psoas major, adductors,


pectoralis major, sartoriu

Pressed: Vastus lateralis


 22. CROSSED SCISSOR STRETCH

Stretched: As Lateral Scissor Stretch


Pressed: Vastus lateralis

 23. PULLING SPINAL TWIST

Pressed: Gluteus maximus

Stretched: Quadratus lumborum, trapezius, teres major, orector


spinae, deltoid, rhomboideus minor & major,
intraspinatus, subcapularis

 24. LIFTING SPINAL TWIST

Stretched: Quadratus lumborum, trapezius, teres major, erector


spinae, rhomboideus major & minor, infraspinatus,
subcapularis
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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).

Lesson Seven: Prone-Lying Face Down


The ultimate energy balance throughout the body can only be
achieved by pressing the energy channels on either side of the spine.
Energy flow in this area affects all the organ systems and the overall
health and well-being of the body. The powerful manipulations
demonstrated in this lesson will strengthen the spine and help to
treat all kinds of back problems.
Sen channels on the back
There are two lines on each side of the spine. The inner one is
about two finger-widths and the outer line four finger-widths from the
midline of the spine. This is  - Chinese Bladder meridian.
In Chinese theory the Bladder meridian starts on the eye and ends
on the outer edge of the little toe in one continuous energy channel. In
Thai bodywork, pressing is done from the feet up to the buttocks.  -
starts between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon, then runs up the
midline of the back of the leg.
1. STANDING FEET TO FEET PRESS
Balancing your weight on your toes, lean backwards to press your
heels into the soles of your partner’s feet. Use a gentle to-and-fro rocking
motion with your feet. (Note: make sure you have adequate padding
beneath his feet for this exercise.)

 Aids flexibility of the foot and improves blood flow as the metatarsal
bones are splayed apart.

2. PRESSING THE BACK OF THE LEGS


& BUTTOCKS
Touch Method One: Palmar and Thumb Pressing Assume a kneeling
position and palmar press several times up both your partner’s legs
simultaneously from the ankles to the lower margin of the buttocks. Now
press with your thumbs up the center Sen channels of the legs. Repeat
once or twice.
Touch Method Two: Butterfly Pressing Butterfly press up each leg in
turn several times.

 Improves blood and lymph circulation and also release myofascial


adhesions.

Do not use the deep palming or thumbing method on areas with obvious
varicose veins.

 1. STANDING FEET TO FEET PRESS

Pressed: All intrinsic muscles of the feet

 2. PRESSING THE BACK OF THE LEGS & BUTTOCKS

Pressed: Gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstrings


3. PRESSING HEEL TO BUTTOCK
Press your partner’s right foot back as far towards the buttocks as
is comfortable. At the same time, use the heel of your right palm to press
along the Sen which lies just outside the margin of the tibia (shin bone).
 Eases pain and tension in tight and spasming quadriceps; improves
ankle and knee mobility.

4. PRESSING THE THIGH & PULLING


THE FOOT
Grasp your partner’s foot with both hands and place your right foot
across the back of his thigh, close to the knee crease. Pull the lower leg
vertically upwards and hold for a few seconds. Move your foot to different
positions up the thigh between each vertical pull.
 Eases sciatic pain and relieves pain and tension in the hamstring
muscles; aids ankle flexibility and stimulates the Sen channels.

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.

6. STANDING BACKWARD LEG LIFT


Facing your partner’s feet, grasp his right ankle and then lift his leg
backwards as far as is comfortable.
Now repeat Techniques 3 – 6 on the other leg.
 Eases lower back and hip pain, and sciatica.

7. PRESSING FEET TO BUTTOCK


Touch Method One: Press both your partner’s feet down towards his
buttocks and simultaneously pull down on the balls of his feet.
Touch Method Two: Cross your partner’s legs and press both his feet
down to his buttocks. Recross his legs in the opposite way and then repeat.
 Increases mobility of the feet, ankles and knees.

 3. PRESSING HEEL TO BUTTOCK

Stretched: Tibialis anterior, quadriceps, foot flexors

 4. PRESSING THE THIGH & PULLING THE FOOT

Stretched: Tibialis anterior, foot flexors


Pressed: Hamstrings

 5. FOOT CRACKER

Stretched: Tibialis anterior, quadriceps, foot flexors


Pressed: Hamstrings, gastrocnemius

 6. STANDING BACKWARD LEG LIFT

Stretched: Iliacus, psoas major, quadriceps, Sartorius

 7. PRESSING FEET TO BUTTOCK

Stretched: Anterior tibialis, quadriceps, foot flexors, soleus


8. REVERSE HALF LOTUS PRESS
Bend your partner’s right leg into the Half Lotus position so that the
top of his foot lies across his left thing just behind the knee crease. Now
palm and thumb walk along the outer Sen of the flexed leg.
 Improves energy flow through the knees and thighs.

9. REVERSE HALF LOTUS LEG FLEX


From the same Half Lotus position, grasp your partner’s left foot, as
shown, and push it down towards his buttock. Then with each push
forward simultaneously press his other thigh.
 Stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and treats painful and
spasming hamstrings and sciatica.

10. REVERSE HALF LOTUS LEG LIFT


Retaining the Half Lotus position of the legs, grasp your partner’s
left foot with both hands and stand up. Place your right foot carefully
across his lower lumbar area and lean in on it without using your full body
weight as you lift his leg.
 Improves flexibility in the hip and knee joints. Treats chronic pain in
the ilio-sacral region.

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

Pressed: Hamstring, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, peroneus


longus

 9. REVERSE HALF LOTUS LEG FLEX

Stretched: Tibialis anterior, quadriceps, psoas major, adductors,


Sartorius
Pressed: Hamstrings, vastus lateralis

 10. REVERSE HALF LOTUS LEG LIFT

Stretched: Psoas major, quadriceps, iliacus


Pressed: Sacrospinalis

 11. KNEE OR HAND TO BUTTOCK/BACK LEG LIFT

Stretched: Gracilis, quadriceps


Pressed: gluteus maximus
12. FOOT TO BUTTOCK/BACK BACKWARD LEG LIFT
Hold your partner’s right foot with both hands and lift his leg. Now
place your left foot across his lower lumbar area and lean back to pull the
leg against pressure from the foot.
13. BACKWARD SEESAW LEG LIFT
Sit lightly on your partner’s buttocks, taking most of your weight
on your feet. Grasp his right knee underneath and, with both hands, lift his
leg towards you as far as it will comfortably go without causing pain. Hold
for at least ten seconds.
 Eases tension and pain in front of the thigh, and helps sciatica and
lower back pain.

14. INTIMATE CALF & THIGH PRESS


With your partner’s right leg over your legs, sit between his
thighs. Use your forearms to press along his thigh and calf simultaneously
from ankle to buttock. Repeat.
Then lean in carefully with your elbow and knead the entire
buttock area. Then repeat Exercise 8-14 on the other leg.
 Treats sciatica and lower back pain and relaxes tense muscles in the
leg.

 12. FOOT TO BUTTOCK/BACK BACKWARD LEG LIFT

Stretched: Iliacus, psoas major, quadriceps


Pressed: Gluteus maximus, sacrospinalis

 13. BACKWARD SEESAW LEG LIFT

Stretched: Psoas major, iliacus, quadriceps, Sartorius


Pressed: Gluteus maximus

 14. INTIMATE CALF & THIGH PRESS

Stretched: Gluteus, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis


Pressed: Gluteus, biceps femoris, vastus lateralis
15. PRESSING THE BACK FROM A
KNEELING POSITION
Touch Method One: Palmar Presing Kneel on one leg astride your
partner. With your palm heels on either side of his spine and fingers
directed outwards, use both hands to palm deeply and very slowly up and
down the Sen of his back between the sacro-lumbar and upper thoracic
regions, as shown. Keep your arms straight at all times and use your body
weight to generate the required pressure. Finish off by palming his arms.
Touch Method Two: Thumb Pressing Use both your thumbs
simultaneously to press the first Sen channels of your partner’s back, which
are located about 2 cm (3/4 in) from his spine on both sides.
Touch Method Three: This is a variation on Touch Method One where
you kneel on the back of the thighs just below the buttocks to palmar or
thumb press the whole back.

 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.

 15. PRESSING THE BACK

Pressed: Erector spinae, trapezius, rhomboideus minor & major,


quadratus lumborum

 16. KNEELING CUSHION COBRA


Pressed: Hamstrings
Stretched: Pectoralis mafor, deltoids, rectus abdoninis, psoas,
iliacus, serratus anterior
17. SITTING STOOL COBRA
Touch Method One: Flex your partner’s lower legs 90˚ so that the soles
of his feet are pointing upwards. Sit down carefully on his feet and support
your main body weight on your own feet. Palm press the back as described
in Exercise 15. Lift his arms back and place his wrists across the tops of
your thighs. Bend forward and place your hands under the front of his
shoulders and lift them from the mat using your body weight as you lean
backwards. Hold for thirty seconds. Then repeat twice.

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.

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 reasonably flexible. Do not attempt
any of the Cobra techniques on partners heavies than yourself, on the
elderly or those with intervertebral disc problems.

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.

20. CROSSED AND LATERAL SCISSOR


STRETCHES
The methods used for these stretches are identical to those used for
the Crossed and Lateral Scissor Stretches with your partner on his side with
one small exception: your foot is positioned across his lower spine. Repeat
on the other side.
 As for Crossed and Lateral Scissor Stretches in the side position.

21. KNEE TO CALF PRESS


Sit on your partner’s sacrum or lumbar region. The exact position
is determined by the requirement that your knees should be able to press
into his calf muscles. Grasp the front of his ankles and lift them towards
you, positioning your knees so that his calf muscles are pulled against
them.
 Relaxes spasming calf muscles and improves energy flow in the lower
leg.

22. INTIMATE COBRA


Kneel and slide between your partner’s thighs, lifting them as
you go so that they come to lie across the front of your hips. Grasp his
arms just above the elbow and have him grasp your forearms. Lean back
with your body weight to lift him into the Cobra position. Hold for at least
ten seconds.
 19. WHEELBARROW

Stretched: Psoas, iliacus, Sartorius, rectus femoris

 20. CROSSED & LATERAL SCISSOR STRETCHES

Stetched: Pectoralis major, Sartorius, psoas major, iliacus


Pressed: Erector spinae

 21. KNEE TO CALF PRESS

Stretched: Quadriceps, psoas


Pressed: Gastrocnemius, soleus

 22. INTIMATE COBRA

Stretched: Psoas, iliacus, supra- & infraspinatus, serratus anterior,


pectoralis major, deltoids, rectus abdominis
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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).

Lesson Eight: The Sitting Position

Blockages to the flow of energy between the trunk and the


head, such as headaches, are released by the techniques used in
this part of the bodywork routine. In addition, tense necks and
shoulders are relaxed by pressing and stretching techniques.
Some of the techniques are good for treating ‘frozen shoulders’
and others manipulate the spine. Refer to Chapter Two for the
basic pressing and manipulation techniques. The Sen energy
channels shown here represent the upper sections of the Chinese
Bladder and Gallbladder meridians respectively. These Sen should
be pressed when treating the neck and shoulders in a sitting
position.
Sen channels on the neck and shoulders
ABOVE: The Sen channels on the neck and shoulders are:  - Chinese Bladder meridian
and  - the Chinese Gallbladder merdian.
  - Starts just below the base of the skull one finger-width to the side of
the midline and passes down either side of the spine between the
scapulae.
  - Starts on either side of the spine in the large depressions
immediately below the base of the skull and continues down the top of the
shoulders between cervical vertebra 7 and the back corner of the shoulder
joint.
  - Starts on the outer little finger, passes up the back of the armpit to
below the outer end of the shoulder, zigzags over the scapula spine and
runs up the side of the neck.
1. PRESSING THE SHOULDERS
Touch Method One: Palmar Pressing With your palms placed over the
top of your partner’s shoulders on either side of her neck, press
progressively down her shoulders using the heels of your hands. Pressing
should be slow and sustained for up to thirty seconds. Gradually increase
the pressure by leaning into the presses.
Touch Method Two: Thumb Pressing Thumb press along the tops of
your partner’s shoulders along the upper scapula and on the soft tissue on
either side of the spine. As you press, feel for any areas of knotted tissue.
 Energy flow through the shoulder region is greatly improved which
relaxes the neck. Headaches, as well as pre-menstrual tension and
pain in the shoulder region, can be eased.

2. ROLLING THE SHOULDERS WITH


THE FOREARMS
Place your forearms on top of your partner’s shoulders so that
they are positioned directly against her neck and, using your body weight,
roll your forearms outwards. Move progressively down to the outer margin
of the shoulders.

 This technique reinforces all the benefits of the previous exercise.

 1. PRESSING THE SHOULDERS


Pressed: Trapezius, levator scapulae, erector spinae, rhomboideus
major and minor

 2. ROLLING THE SHOULDERS WITH THE FOREARMS

Pressed: Trapezius, levator scapulae, erector spinae


3. THUMB PRESSING THE NECK
Support your partner’s forehead lightly with one hand while using the
other to thumb and finger press the muscles on either side of her spine.
Use squeezing action. Work from the base of the neck up to the region just
below the skull. Swap hands to treat the other side. Repeat at least four
times.

 Improves energy flow in the neck channels and is good for treating
cervical spondylitis, tense neck muscles, headaches and migraines.

4. INTERLOCKED HAND/NECK PRESS


Tilt your partner’s head forward, interlock the fingers of both hands
and thumb press with a pincer-like action up and down her neck on both
sides of the spine. Gradually increase the space between the thumbs to
progressively embrace those muscles that are further away from the mid-
line.

 Sustained deep pressure relaxes tense muscles, easing pain and


stiffness; treat headaches.

5. STRETCHING THE NECK &


SHOULDERS
Clasp your hands and place your upper forearm on top of your
partner’s outer shoulder, then carefully position your other forearm against
the side of her head just above the ear. Simultaneously press gently
outwards using only very light pressure on the head and more pressure on
the shoulder. Repeat on the other side.
 Stretches the sternocleidomastoid muscles to relieve tension in the
sides of the neck.

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.

 3. THUMB PRESSING THE NECK

Pressed: Trapezius, splenius capitis

 4. INTERLOCKED HAND/NECK PRESS

Pressed: Erector spinae, levator scapulae, splenius capitis

 5. STRETCHING THE NECK & SHOULDERS

Stretched: Sternocleidomastoid
 6. BACKWARD ARM LEVER

Stretched: Pectoralis major, triceps, latissimus dorsi, teres major &


minor, subscapularis
7. ELBOW PIVOT LEVER
Raise your partner’s left arm and interlock the fingers of your right
hand with her left. Place the flat of your elbow very carefully on the
trapezius muscle on top of her shoulder. Lean in with your body weight.
Use this as a pivot as you lift her elbow backwards with your other hand.
Hold for ten seconds. Repeat on other arm.

 Aids shoulder mobility and eases neck pain.

Do not use this pressure on frail or bony subjects.


8. TWO-HANDED HACKING ON THE SHOULDERS
Place both your hands lightly together with your fingers spread apart
and touching at their tips. Hack across the muscled areas of your partner’s
shoulders and between her shoulder blades.
 Hacking has a soothing effect, leaving the shoulders and upper back
feeling very relaxed.

9. THUMBING THE SHOULDERS WITH


ARM LOCK
Place your partner’s left arm behind her back and hold her hand in
position with your right knee. Thumb press up and down the muscled area
along the inner border of the shoulder blade. Use your left hand to draw
her shoulder back with each thumb press. Repeat on the other arm.
 Eases neck and shoulder stiffness and pain.

10. SEATED LATERAL ARM LEVER


Kneel with your left knee resting lightly across your partner’s thigh.
Place her left palm against the side of her head and grasp her elbow. Let
her other arm rest across your thigh and grasp her right shoulder so that it
is well supported. Now push her left elbow to create strong lateral flexion
of the neck and trunk towards the right side. Hold for a few seconds and
then repeat this technique on the other side.
 Improves lateral flexibility of the spinae and eases neck pain and
tension. Effectively stretches the muscles down the side of the trunk.

 7. ELBOW PIVOT LEVER

Stretched: Pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, teres


major & minor, deltoid, triceps, infra- & supraspinatus
Pressed: Trapezius

 8. TWO-HANDED HACKING ON THE SHOULDERS

Pressed: Trapezius

 9. THUMBING THE SHOULDERS WITH ARM LOCK

Stretched: Infra- & supraspinatus

 10. SEATED LATERAL ARM LEVER


Stretched: Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, levator scapulae, teres
major & minor, erector spinae, subscapularis,
quadratus lumborum, latissimus dorsi

11. SITTING SPINAL TWIST


Using her left arm for support, your partner sits with her left leg
across her right. Use your left foot to lightly hold her left foot in place.
Simultaneously pull her right arm and push her left knee to generate a
good spinal twist. Repeat on the other side.

 Imposes a strong twist on the back, improving spinal mobility and


easing lower back pain.

12. PRESSING HEAD TO KNEES


Push your partner’s upper body slowly forward until a point of
strong resistance is felt. Flexible subjects will be able to touch their knees
with their head. Now palm press and pummel on either side of her spine.
You can repeat this technique with your partner in the cross-legged
position.
 Improves forward flexibility of spine, invigorates internal organs.

13. BUTTERFLY SHOULDER STRETCH


Ask your partner to clasp her hands behind her neck. Place your
forearms against the front of hers and then draw them slightly upwards
and backwards to create a strong shoulder stretch. Hold for several
seconds as far as is comfortable without causing pain.
 Releases tension in the shoulder muscles and applies a small amount
of traction to the upper spine. The clavicular joints

14. BUTTERFLY MANIPULATION


Touch Method One: With your partner’s hands clasped behind her head,
tuck your hands under her upper arms and grasp over her hands. Press to
guide her into a forward bend in the mid-line. Hold the position for a few
seconds. Repeat several times.
Touch Method Two: Repeat as above but this time direct your partner’s
head first towards one knee and then to the other to give a spinal twist.
 Improves spinal mobility and flexibility, and eases lower back and
neck pain and tension.

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.

 11. SITTING SPINAL TWIST

Stretched: Biceps, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboideus,


piriformis, tensor fasciae latae

 12. PRESSING HEAD TO KNEES


Stretched: Erector spinae
Pressed: Erector spinae

 13. BUTTERFLY SHOULDER STRETCH

Stretched: Pectoralis major, Latissimus dorsi, teres major & minor,


infra- & supraspinatus, triceps, deltoid, subscapularis

 14. BUTTERFLY MANIPULATION

Stretched: Erector spinae (neck & back), quadratus lumborum


15. BUTTERFLY SPINAL TWIST MANIPULATION
Retain the same hold on your partner as in the previous
technique, but this time place your left knee on her left thigh to hold it in
place. Then turn her upper body carefully and slowly to the right to give a
powerful spinal twist. Take great care not to overstretch.

 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.

17. BUTTERFLY BACKWARD


MANIPULATION
Interlock your partner’s hands behind her neck, and slide your
hands under her armpits, placing your fingers against her forearms. Put
your knees against her back just below her shoulder blades and press them
into her back against a gentle resistance from your arms. Repeat several
times, moving your knees a little further each time.
 Eases upper back pain, improves flexibility; also relieves tension in
the shoulders.

18. CROSSED UPPER ARM BACK


MANIPULATION
Cross your partner’s arms in front and grasp her right elbow with
your left hand and her left one with your right hand. Place your knees mid-
back on either side of her spine. Pull her elbows until her arms are tight
across her chest. Press your knees against her very firmly. A cracking
sound may be heard. Repeat with your knees at different levels.
 Aligns the vertebrae and eases shoulder tension.

Not to be done to the elderly or those with a history of osteoporosis.

 15. BUTTERFLY SPINAL TWIST MANIPULATION

Stretched: Erector spinae (neck & back), quadratus lumborum,


latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major

 16. FEET TO BACK STRETCH

Stretched: Pectoralis major, seratus anterior, rectus abdominis,


biceps
Pressed: Erector spinae

 17. BUTTERFLY BACKWARD MANIPULATION


Stretched: Pectoralis major, infraspinatus, rectus abdominis
Pressed: Erector spinae

 18. CROSSED UPPER ARM BACK MANIPULATION

Stretched: Triceps, trapezius, rhomboideus, some erector spinae


Pressed: Erector spinae
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