Petrissage In Swedish Massage

Petrissage is a French word for kneading. Performed after effleurage, you knead the client's soft tissue by taking it firmly in your hand and lifting it and then squeezing, letting go, and grasping more tissue and repeating the process all the way across the body part.

This is most effective on the tissues when it is done firmly and slowly. Repeat this several times using the same technique and then change to another variation of this type of stroke.

Everyone loves a good back massage. While I perform variations of this kneading stroke on the back during table massage, a good deal of my clients doze off. From personal experience, this portion of the back massage feels so good that I don't want it to end and many clients feel the same way.

This empties the soft tissues of waste and toxins and allows them to fill with freshly oxygenated blood to nourish them. This stroke also flattens and stretches the tissues.

There are several variations such as one or two-handed, fulling, and skin rolling to name a few.

Again, the best way to learn Swedish massage strokes is by watching your massage instructor perform them.

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