Tapotement (percussion) is a classic stroke in Swedish massage characterized by rapid, rhythmic tapping, striking, or pounding against the body using light pressure from loose, springy wrists. Unlike soothing gliding strokes (effleurage), tapotement is primarily stimulating and energizing. Tapotement is also called percussion because it is like beating a drum. The synonym percussion comes from the Latin term percussio, which means "a striking". Types of tapotement include tap