Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

What movement involves using soft fists to massage from the acromion across the top of the shoulder to the neck?

1. Petrissage

2. Rolling along

3. Effleurage

4. Tapping

The correct answer is: Rolling along

The movement that involves using soft fists to massage from the acromion across the top of the shoulder to the neck is a technique known as "rolling along." This technique is characterized by a rhythmic and gentle motion, focusing on transitioning smoothly from one area to the next. It allows the practitioner to apply pressure in a controlled manner, promoting relaxation and enhancing blood circulation in the targeted muscles. In this context, rolling along is particularly effective because it engages a broader surface area, assisting in lymphatic drainage and muscle release. The use of soft fists helps protect the bones and joints while effectively reaching the muscle layers just beneath the skin. Other choices describe different types of massage techniques. For instance, petrissage involves kneading and squeezing the muscles, effleurage is a gliding stroke performed with the palms or fingertips, usually to warm up the tissues, and tapping refers to quick, light taps on the skin, stimulating nerve endings. These techniques each serve unique purposes, but they do not specifically describe the movement of using soft fists to massage from the acromion across the shoulder to the neck, which is why rolling along correctly identifies that specific action.