Tapotement

A type of massage where the therapist taps the person with his or her hands.

Type of massage, sometimes used on the chest wall of patients with bronchitis to loosen mucus, in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or sides of the hand with short rapid movements.

A technique used in massage in which a part of the body is struck rapidly and repeatedly with the hands. Tapotement of the chest wall in bronchitic patients often helps to loosen mucus within the air passages so that it can be coughed up.

A massage technique in which a part of the body is hit repeatedly and quickly with the hands. The technique is useful in helping patients with bronchitis to loosen the mucus in the air passages of their lungs, thus helping them to cough it up.

Percussion in massage. Techniques include beating with the clinched hand, clapping performed with the palm of the hand, hacking with the ulnar border of the hand, and punctuation with the tips of the fingers. The strength of the manipulations is an essential factor in the massage treatment, and care must be taken not to bruise the patient. As a rule, one should begin with moderate pressure, and then ascertain from the patient the appropriate level of stimulation. A lubricating lotion or cream should be used to avoid abrading the skin.

Movements consisting of short quick tapping, slapping, and hacking movements.