Which form of massage movements use hackling?

• A. Effleurage
• B. Tapotement
• C. Petrissage
• D. Friction

Answer: (B)

Think about the four families of massage movements: gliding (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), percussion (tapotement), and rubbing (friction). Hackling is a percussion technique. In percussion, the therapist delivers quick, rhythmic strikes to the muscle, and hackling is one variation using the edge of the hand or fingertips in a hacking motion. This places hackling squarely in tapotement—the group that includes tapping, beating, hacking, clapping, and slapping. This differs from effleurage’s long, gliding strokes; from petrissage’s kneading and lifting; and from friction’s focused, deep rubbing. So hackling is best described as a tapotement movement designed to stimulate circulation and nerve activity through rapid tapping-type actions.