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:

• Ÿj - 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.
• Ÿk - 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 j to the groin.
• Ÿl - 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:

• Ÿj - 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.
• Ÿk - 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 j 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.
• Ÿl - 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