Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What kind of massage movement is generally considered the most stimulating?

1. Petrissage

2. Effleurage

3. Tapotement

4. Hacking

The correct answer is: Tapotement

The massage movement considered the most stimulating is tapotement. This technique involves rhythmical tapping, chopping, or clapping motions performed with the edge of the hands or fingers. Tapotement is designed to invigorate the muscles, improve blood circulation, and enhance physical alertness and energy. It is often used in various massage therapies to create a sense of stimulation and has a more energizing effect compared to other techniques. Other massage movements, while beneficial for relaxation and other purposes, do not offer the same level of stimulation. Petrissage involves kneading and squeezing the muscles, typically used to relieve tension; effleurage is characterized by long, gliding strokes that promote relaxation and are often used at the beginning or end of a massage; while hacking, which is a part of tapotement, refers specifically to a more focused chopping motion. While these techniques have their own merits in therapeutic contexts, tapotement stands out for its ability to energize and stimulate the body.