| Purpose |
|
|---|---|
| Pressure | 3–7 / 10 · pressure scale |
| Rhythm | Slow, even and rhythmical, about one lift every 1–2 seconds, with the hands alternating. |
| Hands | Whole palmar surface of both hands, including the heel of the hand, fingers and thumbs |
| Cautions |
|
Step by step
- 01 / 06
Warm up first
Effleurage the area for a minute so the tissue is warm and the oil is spread. Use a little less oil than for effleurage so your hands can grip.
- 02 / 06
Stance
Stand in a horse stance facing the table, feet wider than your hips and knees soft. Kneading works across the body, so you face the work instead of stepping along it.
- 03 / 06
Mould your hands
Place both hands flat across the muscle belly, fingers relaxed and together. Let your hands mould to the shape of the muscle before you start to move.
- 04 / 06
Compress and lift
Press down into the tissue, then squeeze it gently between the heel of your hand and your fingers and lift it away from the bone. Keep the whole hand in contact.
- 05 / 06
Alternate the hands
As one hand releases, the other presses and lifts, so the hands move in slow, overlapping circles. The focus stays on the tissue between your hands.
- 06 / 06
Travel and finish
Work along the length of the muscle in small overlapping circles, then return with a few effleurage strokes to link and smooth the area.
Common mistakes
- Pinching with the fingertips instead of lifting with the whole hand.
- Sliding over the skin instead of moving the tissue underneath.
- Speeding up, which turns the stroke into a rub.
- Working with bent wrists and locked shoulders instead of moving from the body.
- Kneading over bone instead of the fleshy muscle belly.
How it should feel
- Giver: the muscle rolls and lifts between your hands and your wrists stay soft.
- Receiver: a deep, rhythmical squeeze with no pinching or skin drag.
Self-check
Drills
Petrissage is the second of the classic Swedish strokes (see Swedish massage). The name comes from the French pétrir, to knead. It usually follows Effleurage and is followed by more effleurage, so the client feels a smooth build-up of pressure.
Kneading suits large, fleshy muscles such as the Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius and the upper Trapezius. Related lifting strokes are Wringing and Skin rolling. A slower pace tends to feel more calming; a quicker pace feels more stimulating.