Physiological Effects of Massage Flashcards
7 cards from real Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physiological Effects of Massage flashcards as text
Which hormone is most directly decreased by regular massage therapy, contributing to improved immune function?
Answer: Cortisol
Cortisol, released during the stress response, suppresses immune function; regular massage lowers cortisol levels, allowing immune cell activity to normalize.
How does massage affect tissue extensibility in areas with chronic fibrosis?
Answer: It applies mechanical force that can remodel collagen fibers and improve extensibility
Sustained mechanical loading from massage can stress collagen fibers along lines of tension, encouraging realignment and improving the extensibility of fibrotic tissue.
What is the primary physiological reason that massage is contraindicated over acute phlebitis?
Answer: Massage could dislodge a thrombus and cause an embolism
Massaging over acute phlebitis risks dislodging a blood clot (thrombus), which could travel to the lungs, heart, or brain and cause a life-threatening embolism.
Which reflex arc is responsible for the reduction in muscle tone observed after slow, sustained massage strokes?
Answer: The inverse myotatic reflex via Golgi tendon organs
Slow, sustained pressure activates Golgi tendon organs, which trigger the inverse myotatic reflex, causing autogenic inhibition and reducing muscle tone in the treated tissue.
What physiological change explains increased skin temperature after vigorous friction massage?
Answer: Local vasodilation caused by histamine and prostaglandin release
Vigorous friction causes mast cells to release histamine and local tissue damage triggers prostaglandins, both causing vasodilation and the resulting increase in skin temperature.
How does massage influence the thixotropic properties of the ground substance in connective tissue?
Answer: It temporarily reduces viscosity, making the connective tissue more pliable
Thixotropy refers to the ability of gel-like ground substance to become less viscous with agitation (movement/pressure), which massage exploits to increase connective tissue pliability.
A client reports feeling deeply relaxed and slightly drowsy after a full-body Swedish massage. Which neurotransmitter/hormone combination best explains this response?
Answer: Increased serotonin and increased oxytocin with decreased cortisol
Massage elevates serotonin (calming/mood regulation) and oxytocin (bonding/relaxation) while lowering cortisol, collectively producing the drowsy, deeply relaxed state clients often report.