The three parts of Hoffa are?

• A. Kneading, Tapping, Strokes
• B. Effleurage, Petrissage, Vibrations
• C. Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction
• D. Effleurage, Petrissage, Vibrations

Answer: (D)

The basic grouping of massage strokes in Hoffa’s framework centers on three core families: effleurage, petrissage, and vibrations. Effleurage covers the light, long, gliding strokes that warm tissues, promote relaxation, and help assess tissue texture. Petrissage involves deeper work—kneading, lifting, and squeezing—to mechanically mobilize muscle and fascia and improve circulation. Vibrations add rapid, small oscillations to tissues, aiding muscle relaxation and neuromuscular response. These three together represent the foundational mix of superficial contact, deeper tissue work, and gentle stimulation used in many manual therapy approaches. The other options mix in taps, friction, or generic “strokes,” which belong to different categories, so the trio of effleurage, petrissage, and vibrations is the best fit.