Massage.
VideotechniqueCore Elements TrainingDraft

Tapotement Massage on the Back of the Leg - Foundation Massage Techniques

The founder of a UK massage training provider demonstrates hacking, cupping, pounding and slapping on the back of the leg after effleurage and petrissage. She explains hand shape and loose wrists for each stroke, how to cover the inner, middle and outer hamstrings, and how to adapt the strokes through a towel for sensitive clients.

Tapotement Massage on the Back of the Leg - Foundation Massage Techniques · Core Elements Training · YouTube

Video: Tapotement Massage on the Back of the Leg - Foundation Massage Techniques, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKOt8k2UayE

Length11:08
RatingClarity 5/5 · Credibility 4/5 · Relevance 5/5
UK accredited training provider (Level 3 sports massage). Chaptered, unhurried, and shows each stroke at teaching speed.
Coverstechniques/hacking · techniques/cupping · techniques/pounding · muscles/hamstrings · muscles/gastrocnemius · muscles/gluteus-maximus
Watchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKOt8k2UayE

Chapters

  1. 0:00 Introduction
  2. 0:58 Hacking Technique
  3. 3:48 Cupping Technique
  4. 7:54 slapping Technique

Key points

  • Warm the area with effleurage and petrissage first, and flush with effleurage after each percussion stroke.
  • Practise the movement in the air first so the wrists stay loose once you touch the client.
  • Hacking uses open, relaxed fingers; cupping uses a firm cupped hand that makes a hollow suction sound; pounding uses loose fists and sounds softer.
  • Cover the whole muscle in lines (inner, middle, outer) and look for the tissue to “jump” under the strokes.
  • Work from a wide, low stance with the back upright.
  • A routine may only use one or two of these strokes, not all of them.

Cautions

  • Always skip the back of the knee (popliteal space).
  • Some reddening of the skin is common; ease off or work through a towel if the client finds it uncomfortable.
  • The explanations of micro-contractions and preventing atrophy are the presenter’s own and are not evidence-graded here.