THE ART OF MASSAGE: TAPOTMENT

This is a type of massage that is percussive in nature. Tapotment acts principally on nerve trunks, conveying a series of shocks to the nerous system. The aim of the treatment is to stimulate the muscles and to make them contract – which is pretty much the oppposite of what you are trying to do with every other form of massage. The function of this is to relieve congestion by attracting blood to the surface and to assits in the absorption of toxins by draining lymph to the area being being worked and increasing phagocytosis.

There are various ways in which tapotment can be applied, some more suited to each area of the body. Perhaps the most well-known is chopping, where the ulna (little finger) edges of the hands alternately strike the area and bounce off. Contrary to what you may have seen in films, the fingers and wrists are kept relaxed during this, rather than hacking away at a client with karate-style force.

Other methods of tapotment include tapping, which is given with the fingertips in a rhythmic drumming action. This helps to promote red blood cell production if carried out on certain bones, such as the sternum and sacrum. It also stimulates nerve activity and can be useful in the treatment of lower back pain and anaemia. Pounding or pummeling is used on fleshier parts of the body, especially the thighs and buttocks. It is deeply stimulating and helps to tone muscle. It is given with the hands in a loose fist, thumbs outside, with the wrists relaxed so that the fists bounce off the affected area.

It is important to remember that tapotment can be harmful in some cases, such as in muscular spasm, neuritis, or when there is injury or inflammation.