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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Quiz: Which Massage Movement Uses Light Gliding Strokes?

Quick, free effleurage quiz with instant results and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Engr Azhar MehmoodUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a massage techniques quiz on a sky blue background

Use this quiz to identify the massage movement with light gliding strokes, understand what effleurage is, and choose when to apply it. If you are prepping for certification, try our free NCBTMB practice test or build fundamentals with an anatomy and kinesiology quiz. For more basics on tissues and effects, check out our muscle tissue quiz.

Which of the following best describes effleurage?
Long, gliding strokes
Rapid, percussive tapping
Deep kneading motions
Vibratory shaking movements
Effleurage consists of long, gliding strokes typically used to warm up and prepare tissues in Swedish massage. This movement helps to distribute oil and assess tissue condition before deeper techniques. It also promotes circulation and relaxation.
Which part of the hand is primarily used for effleurage?
Palmar surface of the hand
Ulnar border of the hand
Fingertips
Knuckles
Effleurage is performed using the palmar (front) surface of the hand to achieve smooth, broad strokes. This provides even pressure over a large area, maximizing comfort. Using the palm also reduces the risk of pressure points that fingertips might create.
What is the primary purpose of effleurage?
To stimulate acupuncture meridians
To break down scar tissue adhesions
To deliver high-frequency vibration
To warm up tissues and promote circulation
Effleurage serves mainly to warm muscle and connective tissues, enhancing superficial blood and lymphatic circulation. It also helps the therapist evaluate areas of tension or knots before applying deeper techniques. This preparatory phase increases tissue pliability and client comfort.
Which massage movement typically follows effleurage in a Swedish massage sequence?
Friction
Tapotement
Vibration
Petrissage
After effleurage, massage protocols often transition into petrissage, or kneading, to work more deeply into muscle tissue. Petrissage follows the warming effects of effleurage and targets deeper layers to relieve tension. This sequence ensures a gradual progression from superficial to deeper techniques.
How does effleurage affect superficial circulation?
It has no effect on circulation
It reduces blood flow to the area
It stimulates venous and lymphatic flow toward the heart
It constricts superficial blood vessels
Effleurage promotes venous and lymphatic return by applying light to moderate pressure in the direction of the heart. This facilitates the removal of metabolic waste and reduces swelling. The enhanced circulation also contributes to improved tissue oxygenation.
In a standard massage routine, effleurage is used at the beginning and:
Only if pain occurs
At the end to soothe and integrate tissues
Only during the middle of the session
Never again after the start
Therapists often conclude a session with effleurage to calm the nervous system and help tissues relax after deeper work. Ending with effleurage leaves the client feeling soothed and ensures a gradual departure from deeper techniques. It also redistributes fluids and clears any residual tension.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effleurage?
Light to moderate hand pressure
Rapid, percussive movements
Gliding contact with skin
Rhythmic strokes
Effleurage is defined by smooth, gliding strokes performed with steady pressure, not by rapid or percussive movements. Percussive actions belong to tapotement techniques. Effleurage aims for continuous and calming contact rather than rhythmic tapping.
Which variation of effleurage uses small, circular hand motions?
Hacking
Circular effleurage
Feathering
Knuckling
Circular effleurage employs small rotary movements with the palm or fingertips to work over localized areas. This variation increases friction and warms deeper tissues in a focused spot. It's often used around joints or tight muscle bands.
Effleurage is most effective in enhancing which physiological process?
Neural regeneration
Bone remodeling
Venous return
Muscle hypertrophy
By applying strokes toward the heart, effleurage helps move venous blood back to circulation, reducing pooling and edema. It also encourages lymphatic drainage. While other forms of mechanical loading can influence bone or muscle growth, effleurage primarily supports fluid dynamics.
How does effleurage facilitate lymphatic drainage?
By directing strokes toward lymphatic nodes
By randomly varying pressure
By pushing fluid away from the heart
By only using fingertip contact
Effleurage assists lymphatic flow by gently pushing interstitial fluid toward lymph nodes and vessels. Strokes are always directed centrally to follow lymphatic pathways. This can reduce edema and support immune function.
The technique of knuckling is a form of effleurage using:
The edge of the hand
Knuckles to apply pressure
Fingertips lightly
Elbow for deep strokes
Knuckling involves rolling the knuckles across muscle tissue to apply broad, cushioned pressure. It's considered a variation of effleurage that can reach deeper layers without causing discomfort. This technique also warms tissues and prepares them for deeper work.
On sensitive areas, what pressure level is recommended for effleurage?
Intermittent tapping
Light pressure
Deep pressure
Strong friction
Sensitive regions, such as bony prominences or injured tissues, require light effleurage to avoid pain or bruising. Lighter strokes maintain comfort while still warming and assessing the area. Heavier pressure is reserved for deeper techniques once the tissue tolerates it.
Which effect is not typically associated with effleurage?
Deep tissue release
Warming of superficial tissues
Enhanced circulation
Relaxation
While effleurage warms tissues, promotes relaxation, and enhances circulation, it's not designed to achieve deep tissue release or break up adhesions - that's the role of friction or deep tissue techniques. Effleurage remains mainly superficial.
What describes an appropriate rhythm for effleurage?
Smooth, even, continuous strokes
Random jolting movements
Choppy, irregular taps
Rapid vibration
Effleurage requires smooth, even, continuous strokes to maintain consistent pressure and rhythm. This fosters relaxation and allows the therapist to gauge tissue response. Irregular or jerky movements would disrupt the calming effect and reduce effectiveness.
The analgesic effect of effleurage is primarily explained by which theory?
Gate control theory of pain
Endorphin depletion theory
Placebo response theory
Inflammatory cascade theory
Gate control theory posits that non-nociceptive input, such as gentle stroking, can inhibit transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord. Effleurage stimulates large-diameter nerve fibers that 'close the gate' to pain signals. This mechanism explains the immediate relief clients often feel.
Superficial effleurage differs from deep effleurage in that it:
Targets bone and joint capsules
Uses lighter pressure affecting only the top layers
Is performed at a faster speed
Always employs knuckling
Superficial effleurage uses light pressure that only engages the epidermis and superficial fascia. Deep effleurage applies firmer pressure, reaching muscle bellies and deeper connective tissues. The selection depends on treatment goals and client comfort.
Deep effleurage primarily targets which structures?
Joint capsules exclusively
Epidermal layers
Deep fascia and muscle bellies
Bone surfaces
With increased pressure, effleurage can reach the deep fascia surrounding muscles and the muscle bellies themselves. This helps in breaking down adhesions and promoting deeper circulation. Lighter effleurage remains superficial by comparison.
Effleurage contributes to skin health by:
Drying out the epidermis
Improving hydration and elasticity
Causing micro-tears in the skin
Increasing surface roughness
The sliding action of effleurage warms tissues, enhances blood flow, and aids in distributing natural oils, improving skin hydration and elasticity. It also encourages removal of waste products. Regular effleurage can support skin health and texture.
Which autonomic response is most associated with effleurage?
Sympathetic arousal
Fight-or-flight response
Increased cortisol release
Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
Effleurage generally induces relaxation and reduces stress by activating the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest). This response lowers heart rate and blood pressure. It is the opposite of sympathetic arousal.
Effleurage is contraindicated in which of the following conditions?
Chronic muscle tension
Acute thrombosis
Generalized anxiety
Mild muscle soreness
Applying even light strokes over an acute blood clot could dislodge it, causing serious complications. Effleurage is generally safe for muscle soreness and tension but must be avoided over suspected thrombosis.
When combined with aromatherapy, effleurage can additionally:
Enhance relaxation through olfactory pathways
Stimulate digestive enzyme production
Increase muscle strength
Alter bone density
Adding essential oils during effleurage engages the olfactory system, which can amplify relaxation and mood benefits. The combined sensory input of touch and scent intensifies parasympathetic activation. It does not directly change muscle strength or bone density.
Ideal stroke duration for effleurage on large muscle groups is approximately:
1 to 2 seconds per stroke
Variable without guidance
5 to 7 seconds per stroke
10 to 15 seconds per stroke
A stroke duration of around 5 to 7 seconds on broad muscles like the back ensures adequate coverage and pressure distribution. Shorter strokes may not fully warm the tissue, while much longer strokes can cause discomfort or decreased rhythm.
Research indicates that effleurage can modulate levels of which inflammatory cytokine?
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Hemoglobin
Insulin
Dopamine
Studies have shown that effleurage massage can lower pro-inflammatory IL-6 levels, contributing to reduced systemic inflammation. This cytokine modulation supports massage in recovery protocols. Massage does not directly alter insulin or hemoglobin levels in the same way.
Biomechanically, effleurage influences connective tissue remodeling by:
Breaking collagen fibers permanently
Inducing ossification of fascia
Dehydrating the extracellular matrix
Promoting collagen fiber alignment along stress lines
Controlled mechanical loading from effleurage helps realign collagen fibers in the direction of applied stress, improving tissue resilience. It does not break down fibers destructively or ossify tissue. Proper application also supports hydration of the extracellular matrix.
Effleurage improves fascial glide by:
Thickening the fascial layers
Calcifying fascial sheets
Reducing adhesions and increasing pliability between layers
Dehydrating interstitial fluids
Effleurage mobilizes fascial layers, breaking up minor adhesions and encouraging lubricating fluid distribution, which enhances glide. It does not calcify or thicken fascia. Improved hydration also supports pliability.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Effleurage -

    Recognize that effleurage is a massage movement that involves smooth gliding strokes to warm tissues, improve circulation, and prepare muscles for deeper work.

  2. Differentiate Core Techniques -

    Compare Swedish massage techniques like effleurage, petrissage kneading, and friction to understand their unique methods and applications.

  3. Identify Massage Benefits -

    Explain the specific physiological and relaxation effects of each massage movement and effects on client wellbeing.

  4. Apply Deep Tissue Movements -

    Demonstrate proper pressure and stroke sequences for deep tissue massage movements to address muscle tension.

  5. Analyze Client Needs -

    Assess individual client goals and conditions to select and modify appropriate massage movements for optimal results.

  6. Evaluate Technique Mastery -

    Use quiz feedback to reinforce your understanding of massage movements and effects, ensuring continuous skill improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Effleurage Basics -

    Effleurage is a massage movement that involves smooth, gliding strokes applied with the palms or fingertips to warm up tissue and promote relaxation, as described in the American Massage Therapy Association guidelines. This foundational Swedish massage technique is executed at varying pressure and speed to assess muscle tension and prepare deeper layers for treatment. Remember the mnemonic "G.L.I.D.E" (Glide, Light, Identify, Develop, Ease) to recall the proper stroke sequence.

  2. Circulatory and Lymphatic Effects -

    Research from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health shows that massage movements and effects like effleurage enhance blood flow, reduce edema, and improve lymphatic drainage by mechanically stimulating superficial vessels. In a controlled study at the University of Pittsburgh, participants exhibited a 30% increase in microcirculation following regular effleurage sessions. These circulatory benefits can accelerate healing and decrease muscle soreness after exercise.

  3. Petrissage Kneading -

    Petrissage involves lifting, rolling, and kneading muscle tissue to release tension, break down adhesions, and improve elasticity, often used after initial effleurage in Swedish massage techniques. This movement promotes deeper muscle work by alternating pressure and relaxation, enhancing nutrient exchange in targeted areas. A helpful mnemonic is "KNEAD": Keep Nerves Energized And Detoxified.

  4. Friction Techniques -

    Friction employs small, circular, or transverse movements with the fingertips or thumbs to target deeper connective tissues and mobilize collagen fibers, as outlined by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This precise technique can break down scar tissue, improve tendon mobility, and alleviate chronic pain in areas like the shoulders or Achilles tendon. Incorporate friction after petrissage for maximum tissue remodeling.

  5. Sequencing and Integration -

    Effective Swedish massage techniques sequence effleurage, petrissage, and friction in a soothing flow, concluding with light effleurage to calm the nervous system and consolidate the benefits of deep work. When transitioning to deep tissue massage movements, gradually increase pressure and slow the tempo to safely access musculature without causing discomfort. A simple guideline is "Warm, Work, Calm": begin with warming strokes, work deeply, then calm the area.

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