Tapotement

A massage technique in which the fingertips, palms, or sides of the hands create tapping and slapping movements.

A striking with the side of the hand, usually with partly flexed fingers, used in massage.

A technique used in massage therapy in which gentle percussion is used to stimulate sensory nerves and vasodilate capillaries. Called also cupping.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: massage in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or with short rapid movements of the sides of the hand; used to loosen mucus on the chest walls of patients with bronchitis

Tapotement is a specific technique used in Swedish massage. It is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the hand, a cupped hand or the tips of the fingers. Using the edge of the hand is also called Hacking. With the fingers, you wiggle them and lightly tap on the body. It is primarily used as a stimulating stroke and can release lymphatic build up in the back and gently tap the shoulder of the client.

The name of the stroke is taken from the French word "Tapoter", meaning to tap or to drum.

See also

• Swedish massage
• Effleurage
• Petrissage

External links

• Glossary of Massage Terms - American Massage Therapy Association

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2006)

This medical treatment article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)