Indiana PSI Nail Technician Practice Test

Which massage technique involves kneading the skin and muscle?

1. Friction

2. Petrissage

3. Tapotement

4. Effleurage

The correct answer is: Petrissage

The technique that involves kneading the skin and muscle is petrissage. This massage technique is characterized by its rhythmic lifting, squeezing, and kneading motions, which help to increase blood flow, release muscle tension, and promote relaxation. Petrissage is particularly effective in targeting deeper layers of muscle tissue, making it a valuable method for relieving soreness and stiffness. In contrast, friction involves rubbing the skin with a back-and-forth motion, focusing on smaller areas. Tapotement consists of tapping or chopping movements, typically performed with the edge of the hands, and is often used for stimulating the muscles. Effleurage is a light, gliding stroke that usually serves as a warm-up for other techniques rather than a kneading action. Each of these techniques has distinct uses and benefits, but petrissage specifically pertains to the kneading of both skin and muscle.