| Nerves |
location |
Notes |
| Occipital Foramen Magnum |
Base of skull superior to 1st cervical
vertebra
greater occipital nerve, suboccipital
nerve, cranial nerves II (optic) III (oculomotor) IV trochlear |
Do not work the occipital area during
passive extension.
Static pressure ok in lengthened position |
| Trigeminal Nerve (V Cranial) |
TMJ |
pressure on nerve may cause Trigeminal
neuralgia or tic de la ru with nerve inflammation.
Caution when working with jaw open. |
| Brachial Plexus |
-above lateral clavicle
-posterior triangle of neck
-insertion of deltoid, pec Major and biceps
-medial upper arm between the biceps and
triceps |
Impingement can cause pain/tingling down
arm/hand |
| Axillary Nerve |
-deep inside arm on the humerus |
|
Musculotaneous Nerve
Median Nerve |
-lateral to biceps and triceps at the
elbow |
-accessed when elbow is bent. Work with
the arm straight |
| Lumbar Plexus |
-between the 12th rib and T12 along top
edge of quadratus lumborum
-along the transverse processes of T12
and lumbars |
|
| Vagus Nerve |
-deep in abdomen |
-deep psoas work is risky with people
with high blood pressure as it may over stimulate the vagus nerve and cause
sweating, nausea |
| Femoral Nerve |
-anterior pelvis lateral to psoas
-femoral triangle |
-caution when doing iliacus work
follow the contour of the pelvis |
Common peroneal Nerve
Common popliteal Nerve |
-back of knee
-tendon flattens when knee is straight |
-hamstring work done with knee bent |
| Veins and Arteries |
|
|
Common Carotid
External Jugular Vein |
medial to SCM in anterior triangle |
pressure may cause dizziness or blackouts |
| Subclavian Artery/Vein |
behind clavicle in the hollow under the
clavicle between the Pec Major and deltoid |
|
| Aorta |
lateral to navel |
-move off if you feel pulse
- may cause blackouts |
| Cephalic Vein |
anterior to deltoid, medial to triceps,
lateral to pectoralis |
can be impinged to the humerus |
| Basilic Vein |
upper arm |
can be trapped between the biceps and
triceps |
| Organs |
|
|
| Heart |
|
heavy compression on sternum is contraindicated |
| Liver |
below rib cage extending from the right
side to the left of center |
press liver down as you press under ribcage
to work diaphragm |
| Spleen |
left abdominal region behind stomach |
feels mushy |
| Kidneys |
protected by lower rib cage between T10
and T12 on both sides |
No compression or vibration over kidneys
on back.
No high psoas work through abdomen |
| Lymphatic Structures |
many locations: cervical area, axillary,
abdomen, femoral triangle, popliteal area |
avoid |
| Eyes |
|
do not apply pressure on eyeballs:
retinal detachment indicated by flashes
of light or color |
