Massage Techniques: Tapotement
Updated: Sep 13
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 tapping, pincement, hacking, cupping, pounding, clapping, and diffused. Each variation uses a different part of the practitioner's hands, such as the fingertips, ulnar surface of an open palm or closed fist, knuckles of the closed fist, edges of a cupped hand, or palm of an open hand. Research related to tapotement is on Evolve.
Key Variations
Hacking: Using the ulnar border (pinky side) of the hand in a rapid chopping motion.
Cupping: Forming hands into hollowed cups to create a vacuum effect upon contact, often used over the back to help loosen mucus.
Slapping (Tapping): Using flattened palms or fingertips lightly on the skin.
Pounding (Beating): Using softly closed, loose fists to target larger fleshy areas like the glutes.
Pincement: Performing quick, light pinching motions with fingertips.
Primary Benefits
Nervous System & Muscle Activation: Stimulates nerve endings and Golgi tendon organs to increase localized muscle tone and responsiveness.
Circulation & Lymphatic Flow: Increases localized hyperemic blood flow and supports lymphatic clearance.
Pre-Event Preparation: Ideal in sports massage to warm up soft tissue before intense activity.
Airway Clearance: Cupping over the thoracic area helps loosen pulmonary secretions.
Contraindications
Avoid tapotement over bony prominences, the kidneys, varicose veins, acute muscle tears, spinal column regions, or bruised skin.
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