| Area of concern |
Anatomy |
Notes |
| Temporal and forehead |
Temporal artery- lateral sides of cranium
Temporal branches of facial nerve
Opthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve |
|
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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
