Massage Techniques

Question 1

Effleurage

Answer 1

Gliding movements that follow the contours of the body.

Question 2

Variations of effleurage

Answer 2

One, two or alternate handed and nerve stroke.

Question 3

Uses for effleurage

Answer 3

To introduce touch, spread lotion and assess tissues.

Question 4

Nerve stroke

Answer 4

Variation of effleurage in which the weight of the hands is used to apply light pressure down the body.

Question 5

Petrissage

Answer 5

Technique which involves compression, lifting and wringing of the skin.

Question 6

Thumb placement in petrissage

Answer 6

Alongside fingers.

Question 7

Friction

Answer 7

Technique in which two surfaces are rubbed against one another.

Question 8

Variations of friction

Answer 8

Superficial warming, rolling, wringing, transverse, chucking, circular

Question 9

Superficial warming

Answer 9

The hands are placed on the skin, then moved briskly. Can also be performed with the ulnar surface or a towel.

Question 10

Rolling friction

Answer 10

Fingers apply compression, then the hands move back and forth in opposite directions with mild traction between the hands.

Question 11

Wringing friction

Answer 11

The fingers wrap around an extremity, then the hands move quickly back and forth creating traction.

Question 12

Transverse friction

Answer 12

The thumb or heel of the hand compresses the treatment area, then the skin is moved back and forth over the fibers.

Question 13

Chucking friction

Answer 13

The thumb or fingertips compress the treatment area. The skin moves parallel to the treatment area.

Question 14

Circular friction

Answer 14

The client’s skin is moved in a circular pattern over the joints and bony areas.

Question 15

Compression

Answer 15

Non-gliding pressure application; can be sustained or rhythmic.

Question 16

Tapotement

Answer 16

A repetitive striking motion which can be applied lightly or firmly with varying speed.

Question 17

Variations of tapotement

Answer 17

Tapping, pincement, hacking, quacking, cupping, pounding, clapping, diffused.

Question 18

Tapping

Answer 18

Fingertips strike the skin.

Question 19

Pincement

Answer 19

The tips of the fingers and thumb are used to strike, grasp, lift and release the skin. Kleenex motion.

Question 20

Hacking

Answer 20

The ulnar surfaces of the hands rhythmically move up and down with a flexible wrist. Fingers held apart to produce vibration.

Question 21

Quacking

Answer 21

A variation of hacking in which the hands face each other with the fingertips touching.

Question 22

Cupping

Answer 22

Edges of the cupped hands face down and the hands strike the skin.

Question 23

Pounding

Answer 23

The ulnar sides of a loose fist strike muscular areas. Can also be done with the knuckles face down; called rapping in that case.

Question 24

Clapping

Answer 24

The fingers and palms are held open, facing down. The fingers are held firmly together while striking the skin.

Question 25

Diffused

Answer 25

The relaxed hand is laid on the client’s skin, then the other hand is used to strike it with a loose fist.

Question 26

Vibration

Answer 26

Motion in which constant contact is maintained.

Question 27

Fine vibration

Answer 27

The skin is compressed slightly, then vibrational movements are applied.

Question 28

Jostling

Answer 28

Grasp the muscle, joint or extremity and move vigourously.