Prepare for the Indiana PSI Nail Technician Test with study guides, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and detailed explanations to help you succeed. Master the skills needed for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the purpose of effleurage in massage therapy?

  1. To invigorate the muscles

  2. To relax the muscles and promote circulation

  3. To stimulate nerve endings

  4. To shape the body contour

The correct answer is: To relax the muscles and promote circulation

Effleurage is a specific massage technique characterized by long, sweeping strokes that help to warm up the tissue, relax the muscles, and enhance circulation. This method is often used at the beginning and end of a massage session. By utilizing gentle pressure and smooth movements, effleurage helps to calm the nervous system, encourages blood flow, and can assist in promoting lymphatic drainage. The relaxation it offers not only alleviates muscle tension but also establishes a soothing environment that can enhance the overall massage experience. The other options focus on different objectives in massage therapy. While invigorating muscles might be associated with more vigorous techniques, stimulating nerve endings typically involves sharper, more localized movements. Shaping body contour usually relates to techniques focused on sculpting and tightening specific areas, which is not the primary goal of effleurage.