Tapotement
Tapotement (striking) is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently
administered with the edge of the hand, a cupped hand, or the tips
of the fingers. It is a stimulating movement in which the fingers,
sides, or palms of the hands produce light tapping, quick pinching,
or gentle slapping movements. It vibrates tissues and triggers cutaneous
reflexes such as vasodilatation (widening of blood vessels),
resulting in increasing muscle tone and promoting circulation of
interstitial fluid (fluid surrounding tissue cells), reducing swelling
and accelerating healing processes (Huber 1981; Wakim 1976).