Tapotement Flashcards
Stimulating
Brisk, quick
Faster rate
Erratic
Less predictable patterns
Shorter duration
Sedating
Slow, soothing
Even rate
Rhythmical/repetitive
Predictable pattern
Longer duration
Stimulating goals
Invigorate patient
Increase SNS firing
Sports massage
Increase circulation
Clearing
Sedating goals
Promote relaxation
Decrease SNS firing
Decrease pain
Decrease muscle hypertonicity
Decrease headache
Decrease insomnia
STIMULATING AND SEDATING MASSAGE IS DEPENDENT ON
- Type of Swedish massage technique
- Rate/speed of application
- Length of treatment
- Treatment goals
- Patient goals
- Desired effect or results
- Depth of technique
- Hand contact (broad vs small)
- Rhythm and patterns
- Direction of movement (caudal vs. cephalic)
Tapotement definition
A series of alternating, rapid, rhythmic, percussive strikes to the surface of the body. Tapotement techniques are applied with either the palmar surface of the hand, the ulnar border of the hand, the fingertips or with a gently closed fist.
Pincement
Use the tips of your thumb, index and middle fingers to gently and lightly pinch and lift or pluck the client’s tissue. This is the only percussive stroke where the tissue is lifted off the surface.
(Fingertip) tapping
Alternating percussive movements of each finger using the fingertips pads. Keep your wrist and forearm still and gently strike the client’s tissues with the individual fingertips or finger pads, using the same motion as that for keyboarding.
Point hacking (point percussion)
Percussive movements performed with the fingertips, one hand alternating after the other. In point hacking, strike the client’s tissues using your fingertips together as a group with slight accompanying wrist motion.
Hacking (loose digital ulnar border percussion)
Percussive movements applied to the body part being treated using the ulnar border of the hand & dorsal aspect of the 3rd, 4th & 5th digits. Hand is relaxed. (Less force)
Hacking (Ulnar border Percussion)
Percussive movements applied with the ulnar border of the fifth finger and hand. Hand is stiff. (More force)
Clapping (slapping)
Performed with the palmar surface and the fingers striking flat against the surface of the body.
Cupping
Percussive movements performed with the palms held in a cupped position creating a slight vacuum and suction effect between the hand and the body.
Knuckle Percussion (Beating or Rapping)
Percussive movements performed with the hand held in a loosely closed fist. Contact is made with the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanges and the heel of your hand. (like rapping your knuckles on a door)
Pounding
Percussive movements performed with the ulnar border of the hand held in a loosely closed fist.
USES OF TAPOTEMENT
Stimulate receptors of the skin and muscles
• Decrease muscular hypertonicity
• Dislodge mucous and mucopurulent material with congestive lung conditions and
sinus congestion, e.g. asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
• Increase local circulation
• Stimulation of hypotonic muscle (must be innervated)
• Reflexively stimulate peristalsis, aid in relief of constipation
• Hyperstimulation can create an analgesic effect
INDICATIONS FOR TAPOTEMENT
• Lung conditions that include secretions Ex. Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Cystic Fibrosis
• Sinus congestion
• Neurological conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease or
Neuropraxia
• Hypertoned/tight muscles
• Pain
• Pre-competitive sports massage
EFFECTS OF TAPOTEMENT
• Analgesic effect (decreases pain) when applied for over 3 minutes) using the heavier applications of tapotement.
• Decreases muscular tone
• Expectoration of mucous and mucopurulent material when applied systematically
over the chest cavity. Reverberation caused by the percussive blows creates a vibration through to the lungs. Through this process mucous is dislodged from the lungs and expectoration is enhanced. This technique is most effective when used in conjunction with postural drainage. Postural drainage is taught in Systemic Treatments II term 5)
• Increase local circulation at the point of application
• Increases peristalsis when applied to lumbar area (reflex effect)
• Lighter applications help to stimulate muscular tonus, in innervated tissue only
• Lighter applications to the face can help decrease sinus congestion
• Sedative effects when applied for 30 seconds to 3 minutes
• Stimulatory (Nervous tissue arousal) effect when applied for less than 30
seconds
PRECAUTIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS OF TAPOTEMENT
• All general and local CI’s
• Acute inflammation
• Acute Neuritis /Acute Neuralgia (trigeminal, intercostal, Bell’s palsy)
• Acute painful conditions
• Insomnia (be careful with stimulating techniques and people who are over
stimulated)
• Spastic paralysis.
PRECAUTIONS / CONTRAINDICATIONS OF DEEP TAPOTEMENT
• Loss of sensation to an area (unable to feel the tapotement)
• Lumbar area during heavy menstruation
• Over the kidney or abdomen
• Over the abdomen, sacrum or lumbar area during pregnancy
• Disc herniation (deep tapotement can create vibration which would cause pain or
spasm)
• Bony prominences and joints
