What are the cautionary sites in Thai massage?

Top of the Foot. Many bones are located along the top of the foot, so massage with light pressure only.

Back of the Knee. The popliteal artery and vein, tibial and fibular nerve pass along the back of the knee. Avoid this area altogether, or only apply very light pressure if the recipient requires treatment at this site.

Back of the Thigh. The sciatic nerve runs from the buttocks down the back of the thigh, and deep pressure may damage this nerve.

Inner Thigh. The great saphenous vein runs superficially along the inside of the inner thigh. Massage this area with light pressure, as recipients with poor mobility may have clots in this vein.

Groin. The femoral artery, vein, lymph nodes, and femoral nerve run past the upper leg and groin crease. Solid and prolonged pressure on this area may cause a blood clot in the leg.

Abdominal Area. Exercise caution in the entire area, and avoid direct pressure on the navel.

Abdominal Muscle Walls. Apply gentle pressure to the abdominal muscle walls, as excessive pressure and stretching can lead to a hernia.

Breast. Excessive or repeated pressure can break down breast tissue, so avoid this area unless you have therapeutic purposes.

Xiphoid Process. Direct pressure to the tip of the chest bone may break and puncture the liver.

Waist. This area may require additional massage, but avoid pressing on the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae.

Floating Ribs. Avoid applying deep pressure to the two floating ribs, as they rest on the kidneys, liver, and spleen. Deep pressure can damage the internal organs.

Backbone. Do not press on the spinous process, the middle tips of the spine, as it might break.

Back of the Neck. Do not press on the transverse process or the tips of the cervical vertebrae. And do not twist the neck unless qualified, as this movement might damage the nerve or compress the artery.

Armpit. Avoid the armpit area, as deep pressure may damage the brachial artery, axillary artery and vein, cephalic vein, brachial nerve plexus and lymph nodes.

Front of the Elbow. You may massage this area lightly. Do not apply deep pressure to the elbow crease, as this is the location of the brachial artery and vein, the median cubital vein and the median nerve.

Back of the Elbow. The bony point of the elbow is sensitive as the ulnar and radial nerves run just beneath the skin at this point. Pressure on these nerves may cause damage, and recipients may experience sharp pain.

Wrist. Firm pressure on the inner wrist can damage the median and ulnar nerves, as well as the artery and vein.

Anterior Triangle. The common carotid artery, jugular veins, subclavian artery and vein, lymph nodes and vagus nerve are delicate, and massage may damage these structures.

Front of the Neck. The front of the neck contains the thyroid gland and trachea, and pressure on these points is dangerous. Altogether avoid this area.

Eyeballs. Do not press or massage directly on the eyeballs, and exercise extreme caution when working in the vicinity of them.

Front of the Ear. Avoid the area five centimetres in front of the ear as the parotid gland and the superficial temporal artery, vein, and nerve pass by this region.

Temples. Only apply light pressure to the temporal bone.

Top of the Head. If you massage a toddler, the Anterior Fontanel is soft and not fully closed until two years after birth.