Petrissage:Petrissage, like effleurage, is a name deriving from French. Petrir means to knead or rub with force and rubbing movements to manipulate tissues and muscles. It uses the pressure of the hands or fingers to break down tension. There are various methods: in some cases only the fingers and / or thumbs are used to knead the tissues, in others the whole hand is used.

Petrissage stretches the muscles, improving their suppleness and elasticity, and helps break down tension and stiffness in tissues and large muscles.

Such stiffness is often caused by the build-up of toxins such as lactic acid. Petrissage helps release and break down these toxins, enabling the muscles to work more efficiently. It also stimulates the circulation and is very useful in sports massage.

Despite the firmness of the stroke it is more relaxing than invigorating because it releases any tight muscles and the toxins within.