Percussion

This is a pounding stroke; used to stimulate fleshy, muscular areas. These brisk rhythmic strokes are difficult to perform properly and are best learnt from a professional.

They are used to stimulate soft-tissue areas, such as buttocks or thighs. They should not be used with everybody, as many people require relaxation. rather than stimulation. If you are giving a stimulating massage, use them as a wake-up technique at the end of the massage. Use these strokes only after you have first warmed the muscles up by kneading them. The two main strokes are chopping and cupping.

• Chopping: Also known as hacking, this involves contacting the skin with the outer edge of the palms and little fingers, striking it first with one hand and then the other. Relax your fingers, hands and wrists and don't raise your hand more than 5-10 cm's. Chopping is best used on calves, upper legs and buttocks. Never use it on bony areas.
  
• Cupping: This is useful for the same areas as chopping, plus the back.
  Cup your hands with fingers and thumbs closed tight enough to hold water, then strike the body rhythmically with the hollowed palms, keeping your wrists as loose as possible.
  This stroke stimulates the whole body, improving
  circulation. It improves muscle tone and can help to break up cellulite.
  As with the chopping strokes, do not use this stroke on bony areas such as the shins, where the nerve endings are near the surface or over bruises or broken veins.