What is the primary effect of using effleurage during a massage?

Effleurage is a massage technique characterized by long, sweeping strokes that are usually performed with the palms or fingers. The primary impact of using effleurage during a massage is its ability to relax the muscles. This technique helps in promoting an overall feeling of comfort and tranquility, which is essential in massage therapy.

While effleurage can also stimulate blood flow and improve skin texture to some extent, its foremost purpose is to promote relaxation. This relaxation effect can lead to reduced muscle tension, lowering stress levels, and creating a more soothing experience for the client. Moreover, effleurage serves as an excellent way to transition between different massage techniques and can also be beneficial in warming up the tissues before applying deeper pressure.

In comparison to the other choices, while stimulating blood flow and preparing the skin for treatment are additional benefits of effleurage, the core essence of this technique lies in muscle relaxation.