Petrissage is best described as which action?

Petrissage is best described as which action?

• A. Pressing and rolling the muscles under the fingers and hands
• B. Light, superficial stroking toward the heart
• C. Sharp tapping and cupping movements
• D. Passive stretching of joints

Answer: (A)

Petrissage is a kneading manipulation where you press into the muscle and then lift, roll, and squeeze the tissue with the hands. This compressing and releasing action helps mobilize fascia, increase local blood and lymphatic flow, and loosen adhesions, promoting greater tissue pliability and relaxation. It’s different from light, superficial stroking toward the heart, which is effleurage and serves to warm and soothe rather than deeply manipulate tissue. It also differs from the tapping, cupping, or pounding seen in tapotement, which is percussion rather than kneading. And it isn’t the same as passive stretching of joints, which lengthens tissues through movement at the joint rather than kneading the muscle itself.

Petrissage is a kneading manipulation where you press into the muscle and then lift, roll, and squeeze the tissue with the hands. This compressing and releasing action helps mobilize fascia, increase local blood and lymphatic flow, and loosen adhesions, promoting greater tissue pliability and relaxation.

It’s different from light, superficial stroking toward the heart, which is effleurage and serves to warm and soothe rather than deeply manipulate tissue. It also differs from the tapping, cupping, or pounding seen in tapotement, which is percussion rather than kneading. And it isn’t the same as passive stretching of joints, which lengthens tissues through movement at the joint rather than kneading the muscle itself.