Effleurage
Effleurage (stroking) is performed using either the padded parts
of the finger tips or the palm of the hand and can be firm or light
without dragging the skin. It consists of slow, rhythmic stroking
handmovementsmoulded to the shape of the skin. It is believed to
accelerate blood and lymph flow to improve tissue drainage and to
reduce swelling (Duimel-Peeters 2005b;Goats 1994;Huber 1981;
Ironson 1996; Iwama 2002; Wakim 1976). Effleurage is thought
to be the least harmfulmassage technique (Duimel-Peeters 2005a).