Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which massage movement is considered the most manipulative and involves kneading the skin?

1. Effleurage

2. Petrissage

3. Hacking

4. Tapotement

The correct answer is: Petrissage

Petrissage is recognized as the most manipulative massage technique and is characterized by its kneading action. This method involves lifting, squeezing, and pressing the skin and underlying tissues. The primary goal of petrissage is to promote circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, and alleviate muscular tension. By applying this kneading technique, an esthetician can effectively relax the muscles, improve skin texture, and stimulate the underlying tissues, leading to a more revitalized appearance. In contrast, effleurage is more about gliding strokes and is generally used to warm up the skin and muscles or conclude a massage. Hacking involves a chopping or brisk motion that stimulates the skin surface, while tapotement incorporates rhythmic percussion movements. Each of these techniques has its unique benefits, but petrissage stands out due to its depth of manipulation and the focused kneading action that directly affects muscle tension and skin elasticity.