What is kneading, also known as petrissage, in massage?

Kneading, or petrissage, is a specific massage technique that involves pressing, lifting, and squeezing the tissue. This method is designed to manipulate soft tissues in the body, promoting relaxation and improving circulation. It is effective for breaking down muscle tension and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the massage.

This technique is distinct from other forms of massage that might focus solely on light strokes or specific pressure points. For instance, light strokes are generally used for relaxation and superficial stimulation and do not delve deeply into the musculature in the same way kneading does. Stretching muscles typically requires different motions and focuses on elongation rather than the pressing and squeezing movement that characterizes kneading. Petrissage specifically aims to engage the deeper layers of muscle tissue and is beneficial in releasing knots and tension within the muscles.