What is the basic massage movement that maintains pressure on the skin while the fingers and palms move the underlying structures?

The basic massage movement that maintains pressure on the skin while the fingers and palms move the underlying structures is known as petrissage. Petrissage involves kneading, squeezing, and rolling the muscles to improve circulation and promote relaxation. This technique allows the therapist to manipulate the deeper muscles and tissues while keeping a consistent pressure on the skin, which helps in alleviating tension and enhancing lymphatic drainage.

Friction is a form of massage that focuses more on applying pressure and rubbing the skin in a back-and-forth movement, rather than moving the underlying structures in a kneading manner. Effleurage involves long, sweeping strokes that typically start and end a massage session but do not focus on deeper muscle manipulation. Percussion consists of rapid, rhythmic tapping movements that stimulate the muscles and skin but do not maintain the same level of pressure on the underlying tissues as petrissage does. Understanding the distinct characteristics of these techniques is essential for effective massage practice.