
The use of percussion in massage therapy is also called tapotement and is done by tapping, punching, patting, beating, hacking, chopping, slapping, pounding, or drumming on the soft tissues of the receiver.
Full Answer
What are the different tapotement massage techniques?
There are a range of particular techniques that come under the range of tapotement massage movements, these are as follows: Cupping movements are performed by the therapist ‘cupping’ their hands and softly striking the client’s body. A cup shape is formed by joined the thumb and index finger and arching the palm.
What is massage technique?
massage technique consisting of brisk percussive movements -Promotes a stimulating effect if done skillfully What are some examples of pt w/ low tone that could benefit from tapotement massage? down syndrome, kids, stroke pts Tapotement: contact
What is a “tapping massage”?
Tapping is ideal for areas of the body that require very soft tapping due to being uncomfortable or delicate. Such as the face, head, or areas that are particularly sore. It’s a techniques often found in Indian head massages.
Is tapotement massage safe for me?
For safe treatment and to make sure tapotement massage is appropriate for your condition check with your doctor for clearance. Our massage tapotement rhythm, flow and sequencing is with balanced techniques addressing specific muscle pain for better results and improved muscle conditions.

What is the tapotement massage technique?
Tapotement. Tapotement describes techniques such as hacking and cupping which have their place in massage aimed towards relaxation. Hacking is a technique in which both hands alternately strike the skin with the lateral borders of the fifth finger of each hand.
What is tapotement massage used for?
Tapotement or Percussion massage is very beneficial. It stimulates nerve endings, aids in decongestion and increases local blood flow. It also tones the atrophied muscles and relieves pain. This form or massage gives you access to deeper structures, such as the hip rotators.
What movement is tapotement?
A tapotement movement usually takes the form of rapid movements from the wrists in which the body is struck with soft blows from each hand alternately. The differences between the percussion techniques listed above includes the part of the therapist's hand or hands used to strike the client and the action used.
Is cupping a tapotement?
Cupping is a percussion (also known as tapotement) movement. In the cupping movement, the whole of the palmer aspect of the hand is shaped into a "cup" configuration by slightly flexing the fingers and closing the hand into the form of a "cup" by adducting the thumb to meet the index finger.
What is effleurage petrissage and tapotement?
Effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), squeezing, frictions, rocking, shaking, soft tissue release, muscular energy techniques, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, acupressure, energy balancing, muscle testing and lymphatic drainage.
When applying tapotement techniques you should?
1:036:49Tapotement Techniques - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd again do this cupping technique it should not be a slapping technique with your palms it shouldMoreAnd again do this cupping technique it should not be a slapping technique with your palms it should be cupping you're trapping the air into your cups and then just applying this technique.
Which type of tapotement uses the ulnar surfaces of one or both hands?
Tapotement technique also called 'rhythmic striking' or percussion involves applying a series of light, brisk, rhythmic, percussive strikes to the surface of the body using an ulnar portion of the hands. This type of massage stroke is commonly applied to fleshy, muscular areas of the body and not the bony parts.
What is Effleurage massage technique?
Effleurage is a light friction technique commonly used to begin a massage treatment. Effleurage is made up of long, stroking movements which are performed using a flat hand or fingers. Effleurage is used to increase the flow of the lymphatic system.
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
What is tapotement massage?
Tapotement is a massage technique with a wide range of applications. At the end of a relaxing Swedish massage, it can be used to re-invigorate and ground the client before they leave. It is also the most frequently used technique to energise the muscles and the nervous system in pre-event Sports massage. In Chinese medicine and other medical settings, it is often used to loosen up mucus in the lungs. The name comes from the French word tapoter, which means ‘to tap’ or ‘to drum’.
Why is tapotement not used?
Engaging the elbow or the shoulder is not correct, causes unnecessary stress on the therapist’s body and can lead to exhaustion and injuries. Tapotement can be exhausting if not performed with proper body mechanics. Even when applied correctly, it is usually only used for short periods to avoid muscle fatigue.
How to get rid of mucus in the middle back?
Improve respiration – Tapotement in general and cupping in particular applied to the middle back can help get rid of mucus in the lungs and help patients with bronchitis or cystic fibrosis. It is important to obtain a clearance from a physician for any client with respiratory problems to ensure massage would be appropriate.
What is the effect of tapotement?
Hyperaemic effect – Tapotement warms up and softens tissues by increasing local blood circulation. The skin appears flushed and is warm to touch. This is often a desirable effect before an athletic endeavour and one obtained with pre-event sports massage.
How fast does tapotement work?
Tapotement is usually performed alternating hands and maintaining a fast pace of between four to ten strikes per second. Sixty seconds tends to be the minimum threshold where tapotement’s effects kick in.
How long is tapotement?
Over time, this can be increased to four to ten minutes spread over two, three sessions or delivered at once. It is worth emphasising that the therapist applies tapotement from their hands and wrists while keeping them relaxed.
What is the name of the technique that uses the fingers to tap?
Fingers, cupped hands or loosely held fists or the edge of the hand are used to apply rhythmical percussion strokes. Tapotement is usually performed alternating hands and maintaining a fast pace of between four to ten strikes per second.
Why do you tapotement when you massage?
When used in combination with other massage techniques, tapotement helps to reduce fatty deposits and tone flabby muscle areas.
Where should tapotement be used?
Tapotement should only be used on the fleshy portions of the body – never on bony areas. For example, it maybe used on the posterior portions of the leg, such as on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, but never along the anterior tibia.
What does tapotement do to the body?
At the end of a relaxing massage session, the stimulation provided by tapotement brings the client back to a more grounded consciousness and, if done well, does not agitate the body to a point of stress or nervousness.
How does cupping work?
Cupping – In cupping, the therapist forms the palmar aspect of his or her hand into a cup-like shape, by slightly flexing the fingers. These “cups” are then struck against the client’s body. The palm of the hand does not touch the body. Only the outer edges that form the rim of the cup come in contact with the client.
What is the key to tapotement?
The key to proper tapotement is in “letting go” – getting out of your head about what you are doing and just letting your hands do the work.
What is the tip of the finger used for?
Only the tips of the fingers are used to gently tap the area. This movement can be used on the more delicate areas of the body such as the head and face. Plucking – In plucking, the client’s skin is gently picked up by the thumb and fingers of each hand in a kind of light pinching or pecking motion.
Why do athletes use a saline solution?
The skin will feel warm to the touch and appear flushed. It is often used to help warm-up an athlete prior to an event .
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