Also known as percussion; movements consisting of short, quick tapping, slapping, and hacking movements.

• A. Tapotement
• B. Friction
• C. Raindrops
• D. Tapping

Answer: (A)

Tapotement is the percussion family of massage techniques. It uses short, quick tapping, slapping, and hacking movements to stimulate the skin, nerves, and underlying tissues, boost circulation, and wake up the muscles. The movements described—tapping, slapping, and hacking—are the classic forms that fall under tapotement, so this term best fits the description. Tapping is only one form within this group, not the umbrella term itself. Friction is a deep rubbing technique used to heat and loosen tissue, not percussion. Raindrops refers to a light tapping pattern used for relaxation in some contexts, but it doesn’t name the percussion family. So the best answer is tapotement, since it encompasses all those short, percussive movements.