Long, gliding massage strokes that warm tissue and promote relaxation.
Effleurage is a fundamental massage technique consisting of long, smooth, gliding strokes performed with flat hands. It's typically used at the beginning and end of sessions to warm tissues, promote circulation, and ease the client into and out of deeper work. In body-to-body massage, the full-body glide can be considered an amplified form of effleurage.
Knowing what effleurage means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.