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, a French word meaning 'to skim' or 'to touch lightly on', is a series of massage strokes used in Swedish massage to warm up the muscle before deep tissue work using .
This is a soothing, stroking movement used at the beginning and the end of the facial and/or body massage. It is also used as a linking move between the different strokes and movements. is basically a form of massage involving a circular stroking movement made with the palm of the hand.
can be firm or light without dragging the skin, and is performed using either the padded parts of the finger tips or the palmar surface of the hands. Lotion may or may not be used. is part of a type of massage called myofascial relaxation, which is used for carpal tunnel syndrome. In some cases, effleurage can be used to reduce labor pain. Clinical studies have shown that Swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue, joint stiffness. However, the effect of in relieving muscle fatigue or during recovery from sports injuries is insignificant.
See also
- Massage