According to their application, the five basic Swedish massage strokes are placed into groups called effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration. These strokes are categorized based on tradition, research, observation, and experience.

The technique of petrissage is distinguished by the therapist forming his or her hand into a C while holding on to the skin or muscle of a client. After that, the skin should be kneaded, wrung, or squeezed under the raised skin and lower muscle tissue. If performed correctly, the muscle will pull apart from the bone out of its typical area. After the grasp is released, the other hand should repeat the prior move. This next cycle should contain the same lifting, compressing, and releasing with the help of either one or two hands. Each section of the skin should be focused on with several cycles before moving on to the next section of skin. A good tip for petrissage is imagining that the palm of the hand slurps up the tissue like a suction cup. This does not mean to just pinch the skin, but rather the tissue should be raised and moved either vertically or horizontally.

The therapist should try to apply the pressure rhythmically in a circular pattern that allows the muscle to alternate in compression and then relaxation. If the area is particularly big and full of muscles - like the back - then all of the hands should be used. Yet be careful using this much of the hands, as plenty needs to be used but not so much that the client experiences pain. Also check to see if the client has a lot of body hair, as the circular petrissage may cause the hair to matte and tug. If this is the case, the therapist may wish to use a pattern that goes back and forth instead of in circles.