Some reminder of those places where the more important nerves may be most easily met with and are accessible to treatment may here be given.

Supra- and Infra-trochlear Nerves are met with behind the orbital margin at the upper and lower inner angles of the orbit.

Nasal Nerve, at the side of the nose at the lower border of the nasal bone.

Supra-orbital Nerve, at the supra-orbital foramen or notch, and in its course from this point in front of the frontal bone (lower and more obliquely outward than one is inclined to think). It can even be got at inside the orbital margin if the masseur's finger-tips are not too thick.

Infra-orbital Nerve, at or quite near to the infra-orbital foramen (pressure should be directed obliquely upward and backward).

Auriculo-temporal Nerve, immediately in front of the ear along the hair margin.

Mental Nerve, at the mental foramen (almost straight below the angle of the mouth).

Facial Nerve, around the region of the stylo-mastoid foramen (under the ear behind the lower jaw).

Spinal Accessory Nerve, a little behind and below the middle of the posterior border of the sterno-cleido-mastoid, just where the nerve goes in below trapezius.

Great Occipital Nerve, about 1 1/2 cm. from the middle line and 2 to 3 cm. below the occipital protuberance. From this point the nerve can be followed a little way obliquely upward and outward.

Lesser Occipital Nerve, at the posterior border of sterno-cleido-mastoid, at its insertion on the mastoid process.

The Brachial Plexus is found in the supra-clavicular fossa immediately below the middle of the posterior border of sterno-cleido-mastoid, and in the axilla just behind coraco-brachialis. Pressure is directed here towards the inner surface of the humerus.

Radial (Musculo-Spiral) Nerve, on the outer side of the arm at the upper border of brachio-radialis, and from this point a little way upward and downward in the spiral groove.

Median Nerve, in front of the elbow joint, close to or somewhat internal to the biceps tendon, and from here up the arm in the internal bicipital sulcus.

Ulnar Nerve, between the internal condyle and the olecranon, and from there upward and downward a little way.

Thoracic Or Dorsal Spinal Nerves

The superficial branches of the posterior primary divisions are found beside the spinous processes. The lateral cutaneous branches of the anterior primary divisions (intercostal nerves) are found in the axillary line at the lower border of the corresponding ribs. The anterior terminal branches of the intercostal nerves are to be found at the side of the sternum, or the external border of the sheath of the rectus (the lower intercostal nerves).

Crural Nerve, just below and about 1 cm. external to the middle of Poupart's ligament, and from here slightly downward and inward towards the internal condyle of the femur.

Sciatic Nerve, slightly internal to the mid-point between the tuberosity of the ischium and the great trochanter, and from this point along a line going towards the middle of the popliteal space. (N.B. - About the middle third of the thigh the nerve is covered by the inner head of biceps femoris, which crosses it.)

Tibial Nerve (internal popliteal) is to be met in the middle of the popliteal space and in the groove between the two heads of gastrocnemius (here it is difficult to get at). Where gastrocnemius becomes the Achilles tendon the external branch can be got at in the mid-line (N. suralis). The main trunk can be felt again below the inner malleolus.

Peroneal or Ext. Popliteal Nerve is felt behind the head of the fibula, and may here be followed a little way upward and forward.

Arm-lean-standing Forward-lying

Spinal Nerve-pressures.

Given with closely adducted finger-tips, or with the dorsal surface of the middle phalanx of the flexed fingers, as a series of pressures, with trembling or shaking down both sides of the spine. Repeated three to four times.

Effects And Uses

Practically the same as Back-hacking.

Stroking.

As has been mentioned before, the strokings spoken of below are as a rule centrifugal, and consequently differ from the effleurage strokes of massage. They are usually given with the palmar surfaces of the hand and fingers, and are performed either slowly with slight pressure for soothing the nerves, or quickly and with rather strong pressure for stimulating. We may specially mention : -

Forward-lying Arm-lean-sitting Arm-lean-standing

Back-stroking.

Performed as longitudinal stroking from above downward, usually with one hand on each side of the spinal cord, but also given by both hands stroking right over the spinous processes either both together or one after the other. Repeated several times.

In the opinion of the earlier gymnasts Back-stroking was held to be most effectual for counteracting night sweats (connected with nervous disturbances).

Grasp-standing

Lying

Half-lying

Transverse-abdominal- and Colon-stroking.

Transverse-abdominal-stroking is done by the gymnast, beginning at the pit of the stomach and going down over the abdomen, giving a series of rather strong semi-circular strokes from the middle line out towards the sides almost parallel with the ribs. In this at the beginning of every stroke first the heel of the hand, then the palm, and finally the fingers touch the abdominal wall.

Colon-stroking is given along the course of the large intestine from the caecum to the sigmoid flexure. These strokings aim at producing a mechanical stimulation of the walls of the intestine, especially the muscular layer, so that peristalsis is increased. Colon-stroking aims also at giving a direct onward impulse to the intestinal contents.

Lumbar-side-stroking is given along the sides, over the ascending and descending colon from above obliquely downward and forward. This also aims at stimulating the underlying parts of the intestine.

All these strokings are commonly employed to supplement Abdominal-kneading.