Question 1

Hacking, beating, pounding, and tapping are forms of which Swedish massage technique?

Accepted Answer

Hacking, beating, pounding and tapping are all forms of percussion (also known as tapotement). Tapotement can be performed light or deep, slow or fast. Tapotement is used to stimulate the nervous system and increase circulation. It is often used in sports massage, but rarely used in a Swedish session unless the therapist wishes to wake up the client at the end of the session.

Question 2

What is the name of the stroke in Swedish massage which is known as the transitional stroke and used to tie all of the other strokes together?

Accepted Answer

The strokes of effleurage tie all other strokes together to create a fluid routine. Effleurage is usually the opening stroke in Swedish massage, used to spread the oil, initiate contact, and perform a touch assessment of the area. There are many forms of effleurage, but all forms are applied as long, soothing and continuous strokes. These strokes create continuum and fluidity in the massage session.

Question 3

Which of the following is type of energy-based treatment that is non-invasive and used to restore balance and health to the entire body?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic Touch is a non-invasive subtle therapy designed to restore health to all systems of the body. Subtle therapies are often used or incorporate into sessions for conditions which might otherwise have contraindications to deep pressure. People who have acute injuries, experience hyperesthesia or have conditions that require a slow, light and sensitive touch respond best to Therapeutic Touch and subtle therapies.

Question 4

What is one of the primary goals of pre-event sports massage?

Accepted Answer

One of the primary goals of pre-event sports massage is to increase muscle circulation prior to an athletic event or workout. Goals for pre-event and post-event sports massage are simple and specific. When working with an athlete who is about to participate in any sport, keep the session focused on main muscle groups and use techniques that stimulate the nervous system and increase circulation.

Question 5

Which of the following is one of the primary goals in using cross-fiber friction?

Accepted Answer

Cross-fiber friction compresses and spreads tissue into underlying layers of muscle and bone. CFF is primarily use to realign scar tissue along the lines of normal tissue and is performed across the muscle fiber. It is usually applied slowly, deeply, and in specific, localized areas. Compressing and spreading tissue allows for muscle fibers to be separated, toxins to be released and circulation to be increased. It is one of the most widely used techniques in scar tissue rehabilitation.

Question 6

What is the correct technique to use when performing muscle stripping?

Accepted Answer

Muscle stripping is performed in the same direction as the muscle fiber. Stripping follows the muscle fiber direction. It is used to compress, broaden, increase circulation and relax areas of contraction. While stripping follows the muscle fibers, the technique CFF is performed across the muscle fiber.

Question 7

In body mechanics, there are two commonly used stances that the massage therapist assumes to provide pressure while maintaining a safe self-posture during the massage session. One of these stances is the archer stance. What is the name of the other stance?

Accepted Answer

The horse stance positions the therapist stands with their feet approximately shoulder width apart and knees slightly flexed. The movement allows the therapist to lean forward and backward safely in order to apply a variety of strokes such as grasping, lifting, rolling, and compressing. The therapist shifts their weight anterior to move forward and then posterior to move backward. This creates a rocking movement in the stance that allows the therapist's body weight to lift up tissue or lean into tissue to compress it.

Question 8

Timmy Tuberosity wants to perform an "isometric" contraction while working with his new client. Which answer describes an "isometric" contraction?

Accepted Answer

An isometric contraction is defined as a constant contraction with no change in joint angle and no change in muscle length. Imagine an arm wrestling match where the opponents are at an equal standstill, creating resistance while still engaged in the match. There is no movement, but each opponent's muscle groups are still fully contracted. Another example would be performing a push up and stopping when your arms are fully extended and you are holding up your own weight.

Question 9

Patty Palpation is meeting a new client for the first time. She notices that the client is several months pregnant and the client has told Patty that she has not been feeling well. In order to follow common safety practices, Patty should gather additional information before providing a massage. Which of the following questions is the most important question to ask before moving ahead with the session?

Accepted Answer

Gathering additional information on the client's state of health during her pregnancy is important prior to starting the massage. In most cases, it is contraindicated to perform a massage on a woman who is still in the first trimester of her pregnancy (the first three months), especially if she is not feeling well or has had prior complications with the pregnancy or a previous pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur during the first trimester. Find out if your new client is under the care of a health professional who has given their approval for massage.

Question 10

Physiological effects of massage are sub-divided into two primary categories. One of the categories is called the "Reflexive" physiological response. What is the other category called?

Accepted Answer

The mechanical physiological effect of massage includes how the tissue responds to what the therapist is manually doing to the tissue such as pulling, lifting, broadening, separating, etc. With the mechanical effect, the therapist can see or feel the difference they are making in the tissue when they apply their strokes. An example of a mechanical effect is that you can feel the tension release in the muscle that you are working on. The reflexive effect is how the nervous system responds to the strokes such as calming or stimulating the client. The reflexive response of the nervous system is not something the therapist can usually see or feel.

Question 11

What do the three letters in CPR stand for?

Accepted Answer

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency protocol procedure used to manually preserve brain function, breathing and restore blood circulation to a person who is unresponsive. It is a technique taught by life-saving organizations such as the American Heart Association. Many massage licensing agencies will require the massage therapist to pass a CPR course prior to issuing a massage license.

Question 12

Frankie Femur is about to start draping his client's leg. What should Frankie be sure to do when he starts to drape?

Accepted Answer

Support the ankle and knee joint as you lift the client's leg into a position to be draped provides comfort and stability to the joints. The client will feel safe and their modesty will remain intact if the therapist takes their time and drapes the leg slowly, properly and securely prior to starting work. Supporting all joints while the client is in a massage session is safe and correct protocol.

Question 13

As a massage therapist, which of the following questions is the most important question to ask a new client who you have just met?

Accepted Answer

Asking the new client if they have ever had a massage before is the most important question to ask. It allows the therapist an opportunity to provide all the necessary information regarding the session. Be sure to disclose important facts to your new client about the massage session. Let them know that you will be leaving the room while they undress to their level of comfort, how they should position themselves on the table while you are out of the room and that they should lie under the top sheet on the massage table to cover themselves. Be sure to ask if the client has any questions for you.

Question 14

During a massage, Larry Ligament decides to start the session by eliciting the client's parasympathetic nervous system. What is Larry's initial goal in the session?

Accepted Answer

Larry has decided to open the session by eliciting or engaging the client's parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) or relaxing the client. There are many ways to induce the PNS response including specific hand placements, handholds or using the long soothing effleurage strokes of Swedish massage.

Question 15

The lifting, pulling, rolling, and squeezing strokes are all types of which Swedish massage strokes?

Accepted Answer

The strokes lifting, pulling, rolling, and squeezing are forms of petrissage. Any type of stroke which lifts or pulls tissue away from underlying layers of muscle and bone would be considered a petrissage stroke. Petrissage is commonly used to separate muscle tissue from underlying structures and reduce adhesions.

Question 16

Becky Bursae wants to help relieve the tension and compression that the client is experiencing in their low back. At the end of the session Becky decides to traction the leg. What is traction?

Accepted Answer

With traction, two or more bones are pulled, separated, or drawn apart from each other in order to create space, which relieves compression between bones. When applying traction, isolate the joint you are intending to traction by supporting the joints above and below the intended structure. Once you have isolated the structure, slowly draw the two sections apart and hold for 10-15 seconds.

Question 17

Which type of massage includes fluid, gentle rocking movements?

Accepted Answer

Trager therapy is a type of non-invasive massage that is often performed through the clothing or the sheet covering the client. It includes fluid, rhythmic, continuous rocking movements that help relieve stress and contractions deep within the body. The sessions usually last for 60-90 minutes. Trager can be performed as a single type of therapy or combined with other therapies. The therapy was founded by Milton Trager, M.D.

Question 18

Sally Sacrum is working on a client in the prone position when the client's back begins to hurt. Sally decides to provide a cushioning pillow bolster to help relieve the pain. Where should the bolster be placed?

Accepted Answer

If a client is lying face down on the massage table and begins to experience pain in their back during the session, a bolster should be placed under the hips. By placing a pillow under the hips, the back will automatically flatten out and reduce the compression often experienced in the lower lumbar. This tilt in the hips will reduce pain and stress by repositioning the client. If this does not help the situation, place the client face up and bolster their knees which will create the same positioning.

Question 19

Susie Suture is working on a client in the supine position when the client begins to complain about low back pain. Susie decides to bolster the client to reduce the pain and make the client more comfortable. Where should Susie place the bolster?

Accepted Answer

If a client is lying face up or supine on the massage table and begins to experience low back pain during the session, a bolster should be placed under the knees. By place a pillow under the knees, the back will automatically flatten out and reduce the compression often experienced in the lower lumbar. This tilt in the hips will reduce pain and stress by repositioning the client. If a single bolster doesn't help, try stacking two or three pillows under the knees to further reposition.

Question 20

Jeremy, a long distance runner, complains to his massage therapist that he has developed shin splints. Where should his massage therapist focus the work?

Accepted Answer

Shin splints is a condition which often affects runners. It is also known as tibial stress syndrome. With shin splints the lower leg is affected, specifically the anterior and posterior tibialis muscles. A throbbing pain is often accompanied by inflammation making it difficult to run and sometimes walk. With pressure or force behind the movements of flexion and extension, these two muscles can development micro tears and inflammation. Shin splints often heal with rest. It is indicated for massage therapy.

Quiz 2: Application