AMTA Contraindications and Special Populations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which position is most recommended when massaging a client in the second or third trimester of pregnancy?
- Prone (face down) with a pregnancy bolster
- Side-lying (lateral recumbent) (Correct answer)
- Supine (face up) with legs elevated
- Seated upright throughout the session
Correct answer: Side-lying (lateral recumbent)
Side-lying is the safest position in later pregnancy as it avoids compression of the vena cava and accommodates the growing abdomen.
Question 2: What is the primary concern when performing massage on elderly clients with osteoporosis?
- Increased risk of muscle cramping
- Heightened risk of bone fracture from excessive pressure (Correct answer)
- Poor response to effleurage strokes
- Reduced effectiveness of deep tissue work
Correct answer: Heightened risk of bone fracture from excessive pressure
Osteoporosis reduces bone density and makes bones fragile, requiring therapists to use gentle pressure to avoid fractures.
Question 3: When working with an oncology (cancer) client, which approach is most appropriate?
- Avoid all massage due to metastasis risk
- Use standard deep tissue protocols
- Apply modified, gentle techniques tailored to the client's current treatment phase (Correct answer)
- Focus only on reflexology to avoid tumor sites
Correct answer: Apply modified, gentle techniques tailored to the client's current treatment phase
Oncology massage uses modified, gentle techniques adapted to the client's condition, treatment side effects, and any medically fragile areas.
Question 4: A client reports having lymphedema in the right arm. Which technique is most appropriate for this area?
- Deep transverse friction
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) (Correct answer)
- Myofascial release with heavy pressure
- Tapotement to stimulate flow
Correct answer: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Manual lymphatic drainage uses light, rhythmic strokes to redirect lymph fluid and is the primary technique used for lymphedema management.
Question 5: When massaging a client with type 2 diabetes, which special consideration is most important?
- Avoiding all massage below the waist
- Monitoring skin integrity carefully, especially on the feet (Correct answer)
- Using deep pressure on the lower extremities to improve circulation
- Limiting sessions to 30 minutes maximum
Correct answer: Monitoring skin integrity carefully, especially on the feet
Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy and poor circulation, reducing the client's ability to detect skin damage, so careful skin inspection is essential.
Question 6: Which of the following is the safest approach when performing massage on a pediatric client?
- Use the same pressure as with adult clients
- Obtain parental or guardian consent and use very light, gentle strokes (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on deep tissue work to address growth-related discomfort
- Limit sessions to the back only
Correct answer: Obtain parental or guardian consent and use very light, gentle strokes
Pediatric massage requires parental consent and lighter, age-appropriate pressure due to the developing musculoskeletal system of children.
Question 7: Massage is generally contraindicated during which trimester of pregnancy according to many practitioners, due to increased miscarriage risk?
- Second trimester
- Third trimester
- First trimester (Correct answer)
- All trimesters equally
Correct answer: First trimester
Many practitioners exercise caution in the first trimester due to the elevated natural risk of miscarriage and organ formation during this period, often requiring physician clearance.
AMTA Contraindications and Special Populations 2
Which position is most recommended when massaging a client in the second or third trimester of pregnancy?