Palpation's used as part of a physical examination in which an object's felt (usually with the hands of a healthcare practitioner) to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation shouldn't be confused with palpitation, which's an awareness of the beating of the heart. Uses Palpation's used by various therapists such as medical doctors, practitioners of chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, physical therapists, and massage therapists, to assess the texture of a patient's tissue (suc… (More on Palpation)