| Purpose |
|
|---|---|
| Pressure | 3–6 / 10 · pressure scale |
| Rhythm | Quick and even, the fists alternating and rebounding off the tissue. |
| Hands | Loosely closed fists, striking with the little-finger side (or the back of the fingers) |
| Cautions |
|
Step by step
- 01 / 06
Choose the area
Pick a large, thick muscle such as the buttock or the back of the thigh, already warmed with effleurage and petrissage.
- 02 / 06
Make loose fists
Curl the fingers lightly into the palm without clenching, thumbs resting on the side. Hold the fists above the muscle, little-finger side down.
- 03 / 06
Strike and rebound
Bring the fists down one after the other from loose wrists and let each one bounce straight back up. One fist strikes as the other lifts.
- 04 / 06
Keep it controlled
Keep the pressure moderate and the tempo even. The force comes from the rebound, not from driving your arm down.
- 05 / 06
Travel over the muscle
Move slowly over the buttock and down the thigh, staying on the thickest part of the muscle.
- 06 / 06
Settle the area
Finish with a few long effleurage strokes.
Common mistakes
- Clenched fists that make the stroke hard and jarring.
- Pushing into the tissue instead of rebounding off it.
- Pounding over bone, the spine or the back of the knee.
- Using it on thin areas where a lighter tapotement would suit.
How it should feel
- Giver: loose fists and a bouncing rebound from the wrist.
- Receiver: a deep, drumming thud that feels vigorous but never painful.
Self-check
Drills
Pounding (also called beating) is the heaviest of the tapotement strokes. It suits only the thickest muscles, such as the Gluteus maximus, Hamstrings and Quadriceps. On thinner areas use Hacking or Cupping instead.
In a relaxation massage it is used briefly, if at all, and followed by Effleurage.