What type of massage involves a soft, continuous stroking movement?

• A. Tapotement
• B. Effleurage
• C. Petrissage
• D. Frictions

Answer: (B)

Effleurage is the soft, continuous gliding of the hands over the skin, using long, smooth strokes with light to moderate pressure. These flowing movements are typically done with the palms (or fingers) and sometimes forearms, following the contours of the body. This technique warms the tissue, relaxes the client, and helps spread massage oil while preparing muscles for deeper work. It’s commonly used at the start and end of a session and can aid circulation by moving fluids toward the heart. The other techniques involve different motions and pressures—tapping or pounding (tapotement), kneading and lifting (petrissage), or deep, small circular movements (frictions)—which are not continuous gliding strokes.