Which massage stroke milks deep tissues and increases venous and lymphatic return?

Which massage stroke milks deep tissues and increases venous and lymphatic return?

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

Answer: (B)

Petrissage is the technique that milks deep tissues and promotes venous and lymphatic return. By kneading, lifting, and squeezing the muscle, you mechanically compress and release tissue, breaking up adhesions and increasing tissue mobility. This action pushes interstitial fluid and metabolic wastes toward the lymphatic and venous systems, helping to move fluids back toward the heart and reduce stagnation. Other strokes operate more superficially or for different goals. Light effleurage glides near the surface to promote overall venous return and relaxation but don’t deeply engage the tissues. Percussive tapotement stimulates circulation and nerves through rhythmic tapping, still more superficial in nature. Vibration involves rapid oscillation to loosen tissues and ease muscle tension, but it isn’t focused on deep tissue milking and lymphatic drainage in the same way petrissage is.

Petrissage is the technique that milks deep tissues and promotes venous and lymphatic return. By kneading, lifting, and squeezing the muscle, you mechanically compress and release tissue, breaking up adhesions and increasing tissue mobility. This action pushes interstitial fluid and metabolic wastes toward the lymphatic and venous systems, helping to move fluids back toward the heart and reduce stagnation.

Other strokes operate more superficially or for different goals. Light effleurage glides near the surface to promote overall venous return and relaxation but don’t deeply engage the tissues. Percussive tapotement stimulates circulation and nerves through rhythmic tapping, still more superficial in nature. Vibration involves rapid oscillation to loosen tissues and ease muscle tension, but it isn’t focused on deep tissue milking and lymphatic drainage in the same way petrissage is.