EFFLEURAGE

It is where the hands skim over the surface of the tissues The word
“effleurage” comes from the French verb effleurer, which means “to
skim over‘.

10-emerald
Differences between effleurage and stroking
EFFLEURAGE
 Effleurage must always follow the
direction of venous return back to the heart
and the direction of lymphatic drainage
towards the nearest group of lymphatic
nodes.
 When performing effleurage, hand contact
is maintained during the return of the
stroke, although little pressure is applied.
STROKING
 Stroking may be performed in any
direction. The pressure during effleurage
may be light, moderate or heavy, but
always increases at the end of the stroke
towards the lymphatic nodes. The pressure
of stroking is selected at the
commencement and is maintained
throughout. It also may be light, moderate
or heavy pressure depending on the type of
massage given.
 When performing stroking, the hands may
maintain contact or may lift off the part on
return.
Effleurage Technique
 1. Ensure that the client is warm and
comfortable.
 2. Take up a walk standing position with the
outside foot forward: make sure you can reach
all parts.
 3. Remember to bend the front knee as the
movement progresses and use body weight to
apply pressure (pressure must not be applied
through the arms and shoulders alone). Keep
your back straight.
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 4. Ensure that your hands are warm, relaxed

and supple – they must mold and adapt to the
body contours.
 5. The hands must move in the direction of
venous return back to the heart, beginning
distally and working proximally.
 6. The strokes must be directed towards, and
end at, a group of lymphatic nodes wherever
possible.
 7. The pressure should increase slightly at the
end of the stroke.
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 8. The hands maintain contact on the return of

stroke but apply little pressure.
 9. The movement must be smooth and
rhythmical, with continuous flow and even
pressure.
 10. The whole of the palmar surface of the
hand, fingers and thumb should maintain
contact with the body in a relaxed manner. (Do
not extend, abduct or link the thumbs, and do
not spread the fingers out, as these habits will
give uneven pressure.
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 11. The hands usually work together with even

pressure and rhythm. However, the hands
may be used alternately when care must be
taken to maintain an even pressure under
each hand and to synchronize the flow and
rhythm.
 12. On small areas, one hand may work while
the other supports the tissues. On very small
areas such as the face, fingers or toes, the
thumbs only may be used in a sweeping
action
STROKE TECHNIQUE

10-EMERALD
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 1. The therapist‘s stance depends on the

direction of movement – walk standing (one
foot in front of the other) if working top to
bottom, stride standing (feet apart) if working
from side to side.
 2. The hands must be warm, relaxed and
supple; they may mold and adapt to the
contours of the body.
 3. The wrists must be very flexible and loose.
 4. The movement can be performed in any
direction.
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 5. The pressure is selected at the

commencement of the stroke and maintained
throughout the stroke. This pressure may be
light to moderate for a relaxing massage, or
firm and heavy for a vigorous massage.
 6. The movements must be rhythmical with
continuous flow. The hands may or may not
be lifted off the part at the end of the stroke.
 7. The whole of the palmar surface of the
hand, fingers and thumb may remain in
contact with the part, or the fingers only
may be used.
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 8. The hands usually work alternately, one

hand commencing a stroke as the other
reaches the end.
 9. The hands may work in opposite directions
if working across the back, one beginning on
the right side, the other on the left side, then
crossing the 8 back. Stroking is frequently
performed from the nape of the neck to the
base of the spine, or transversely across the
abdomen, back or thigh.
THANK YOUUU!!!!;-;

10-EMERALD