Swedish Massage Areas of Endangerments
| Area of concern | Anatomy | Notes |
| Temporal and forehead | Temporal artery- lateral sides of cranium Temporal branches of facial nerve Opthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve |
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| Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) submandibular areas |
-parotid gland on ramus of mandible on top of masseter -facial nerve anterior and superior to parotid gland -facial artery inferior to parotid gland -styloid process of temporal bone posterior to mandible, anterior to mastoid process |
-styloid process may break with excessive pressure -opening the jaw exposes nerves more -compressing or damaging the nerves can cause trigeminal neuralgia |
| Anterior triangle of Neck | -SCM, mandible, trachea -carotid artery -internal jugular vein -trachea -thyroid -hyoid bone -submandibular salivary glands |
-pressure on carotid can slow heart rate or cut off blood supply to head causing dizziness or black out-vaso-vagul reactions |
| Posterior Triangle of Neck | -SCM, clavicle, trapezius -external jugular vein -brachial plexus -subclavian artery and vein |
-pressure on brachial plexus can cause pain down arm and hand |
| Occipital area | -occipital foramina -greater occipital nerve (C2) -suboccipital nerve (C1) |
Digging too deep in the occipital area with the head in passive extension, can entrap the nerves there. Static pressure with caution is ok. |
| Delto-pectoral triangle | -inferior fibers of anterior deltoid, clavicle, and superior fibers of the clavicular head of the Pec Major -cephalic vein -brachial plexus -axillary artery and vein |
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| Axillary region | -anterior border: deltoid, biceps and Pec Major -posterior border: deltoid, triceps, latissimus -Axillary nerve, artery, vein, lymph nodes -cephalic vein -brachial plexus -median nerve -brachial artery |
There are many very effective techniques for working the muscles of the pecs, subscapularis, through the armpit. Know what you are doing before proceeding. |
| Brachial region | -superior border: inferior aspect of the biceps inferior border: superior aspect of the triceps -Median nerve -Brachial Artery -Basilic, brachial and cephalic veins -radial nerve |
Basilic Vein can be trapped medial to the humerus between the biceps and triceps. Cephalic Vein can be pinned to the humerus just lateral to the biceps |
| Antecubital fossa- anterior elbow | -distal to biceps brachii -border: lateral common extensor tendon, medial- common flexor tendon -median and radial nerve -basilic vein -brachial artery |
Caution when using Cross fiber friction on the insertions of the biceps and brachialis in the shortened position as it may entrap the median nerve |
| Cubital notch-posterior elbow | -posterior to medial epicondyle, anterior to olecranon -ulnar nerve |
“Funny bone” cross fiber wok on the triceps insertion requires a lengthened position to protect ulnar nerve |
| Anterior surface of distal forearm and wrist | -radial nerve and artery -median nerve -ulnar nerve and artery |
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| Xiphoid process | -xiphoid process | -heavy direct pressure could break off bone |
| Abdominal Region | -Liver, spleen, stomach, gall bladder, reproductive organs, intestines, colon -abdominal aorta, vena cava -vagus nerve |
Visceral manipulation is an advanced technique that can be learned. Deep pressure on the psoas may over stimulate the vagus nerve and cause symptoms such as sweating, nausea |
| Femoral Triangle | -Sartorius, Inguinal ligament, adductor longus -femoral nerve, artery and vein -inguinal lymph nodes -great saphenous vein |
-area prone to herniation -avoid pulse when palpating psoas tendon |
| Gluteal region | -between sacrum and greater trochanter -Sciatic nerve |
When working the piriformis watch for referred pain |
| Posterior Knee | -tibial and peroneal nerve (split off from sciatic nerve) -Popliteal artery and vein |