Massage techniques: tapotement

​Tapotement is a massage technique with a wide range of applications. At the end of a relaxing Swedish massage, it can be used to re-invigorate and ground the client before they leave. It is also the most frequently used technique to energise the muscles and the nervous system in pre-event Sports massage. In Chinese medicine and other medical settings, it is often used to loosen up mucus in the lungs. The name comes from the French word tapoter, which means ‘to tap’ or ‘to drum’.

Fingers, cupped hands or loosely held fists or the edge of the hand are used to apply rhythmical percussion strokes. Tapotement is usually performed alternating hands and maintaining a fast pace of between four to ten strikes per second. Sixty seconds tends to be the minimum threshold where tapotement’s effects kick in. Therefore, the aspiring therapist must moderate their pace so that she can maintain the strokes for at least a minute. Over time, this can be increased to four to ten minutes spread over two, three sessions or delivered at once.
 
It is worth emphasising that the therapist applies tapotement from their hands and wrists while keeping them relaxed. Engaging the elbow or the shoulder is not correct, causes unnecessary stress on the therapist’s body and can lead to exhaustion and injuries. Tapotement can be exhausting if not performed with proper body mechanics. Even when applied correctly, it is usually only used for short periods to avoid muscle fatigue.
 
Successful tapotement requires a degree of surrendering on the side of the practitioner. As they let go of their thinking mind, the body naturally finds the rhythm for an enjoyable massage experience.
 
According to the way it is applied, tapotement can be categorised as follows:
 

• Hacking – This is one of the most common forms of tapotement and the one shown in martial arts films and warm-up before sporting events. Hacking is applied with the edge of the little fingers using loose wrists. Hands are held stretched, the palms are facing each other. Each hand strikes the client’s body in succession in an alternating manner. The wrists rotate slightly to allow the hands to rise and fall in rapid succession. The fingers and hands must be kept reasonably relaxed.

 

• Cupping – The therapist forms a cup-like shape with his palmar aspect of their hand by flexing the fingers. Then gentle alternating strokes are applied with these ‘cups’. Only the rims of the cups or the outer edges contact the client body producing a distinct ‘clopping’ sound when correctly performed.

 

• Tapping – In tapping, the therapist uses only their fingertips to gently tap the client’s body while keeping their hands loose and relaxed. Tapping is the most gentle and light percussive technique and can be safely applied to delicate areas like the head and face.

 

• Pounding or Pummeling – The therapist forms soft fists with their hands and applies alternating strokes. Usually, only the little finger portion of the hands makes contact with the client’s body. This technique works well on meaty areas like the glutes.

 

• Pinching or Plucking – The therapist performs alternating pinching actions in rapid succession quickly pulling and releasing small bits of skin and underlying tissue. The thumb and fingers are used to perform these light pinching or pecking strokes.

 

• Slapping – The palmar surface of the hand with the fingers held tight together is used. The strokes are applied transversely over the affected muscles in an even and rhythmical manner.

 

• Squeezing – A part of the client body is momentarily held with all the fingers pressed against the thumb and then released in rapid succession backward and forward.

 

• Shaking – Shaking can be applied either to the body as a whole or to a specific part. The therapist may place their hand on the abdomen of the client and shake it with firm pressure. Alternatively, the extended foot or hand can be held, so that the entire limb is shaken.

 

• Vibration – The ends of the fingers, a knuckle or the palmar surface of the hand are placed on a part of the client’s body. Then the therapist conveys a trembling sensation to that part of the body.

 
Key benefits
Tapotement is an effective and an established massage technique that can be easily overlooked if its benefits are not clearly understood.
 

• Improve respiration – Tapotement in general and cupping in particular applied to the middle back can help get rid of mucus in the lungs and help patients with bronchitis or cystic fibrosis. It is important to obtain a clearance from a physician for any client with respiratory problems to ensure massage would be appropriate.

 

• Hyperaemic effect – Tapotement warms up and softens tissues by increasing local blood circulation. The skin appears flushed and is warm to touch. This is often a desirable effect before an athletic endeavour and one obtained with pre-event sports massage.

 

• Stimulation – This technique generates tiny muscle contractions by stimulating the nerve endings. This in turn, improves muscle tone. One theory suggests that this happens because the pressure is registered by the mechanoreceptors and the Golgi tendon organ of the muscle. This is followed by a reflex-driven contraction of voluntary and involuntary muscles alike. This is another sought after effect in pre-event situations.

 

• Firmness – In conjunction with other techniques, tapotement helps to tone flabby muscles and activate fatty deposits.

 
Considerations
 
It is advisable to avoid tapotement over bony areas and only use it over fleshy parts of the body. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the posterior lower leg are good candidates, while the anterior tibia (the shin on the opposite side) is not.
 
Percussion movements directly over the kidneys are usually not recommended. As a counter argument, it may be conceived that tapotement in that area can help loosen or even trigger the release of a kidney stone. Although this can be very uncomfortable in the short-term can enhance the client’s well-being in the long-run.
 
Hypersensitive areas or compromised muscle tissues should be avoided. The same precaution applies to varicose veins and abnormally contracted, strained or inflamed tissues.
 
Fractured areas are also to be avoided at all costs. Finally, popliteal space (back of the knee), the head, the neck and the spine should not be treated with tapotement as well.
 
Tapotement is an exceptionally versatile tool and a great complement to effleurage, petrissage, and friction in any therapist’s arsenal. It increases the benefits for the client but also helps them get energised and grounded towards the end of the session if this is desirable. Finally, it helps add variety to the work of the therapist making it more engaging.

Related articles:
Massage techniques: effleurage and petrissage
Massage techniques: friction​