Massage Therapist FREE Massage Therapist Massage Techniques and Effects Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which massage technique involves lifting and squeezing muscle tissue away from the bone?
- Petrissage (Correct answer)
- Effleurage
- Tapotement
- Friction
Correct answer: Petrissage
Petrissage consists of kneading, lifting, and squeezing soft tissue away from underlying structures.
Question 2: What is the primary physiological effect of applying deep transverse friction to a tendon?
- Breaking adhesions and promoting collagen realignment (Correct answer)
- Increasing joint range of motion through stretching
- Reducing inflammation by cooling the tissue
- Stimulating lymphatic drainage in the surrounding area
Correct answer: Breaking adhesions and promoting collagen realignment
Deep transverse friction breaks down adhesions between collagen fibers and encourages proper realignment during healing.
Question 3: A client presents with increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Which technique is MOST appropriate to promote parasympathetic dominance?
- Slow, rhythmic effleurage (Correct answer)
- Rapid tapotement
- Deep cross-fiber friction
- Vigorous vibration
Correct answer: Slow, rhythmic effleurage
Slow, rhythmic effleurage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones.
Question 4: During a massage session, the therapist notices localized ischemia followed by reactive hyperemia. What technique most likely caused this response?
- Sustained digital compression on a trigger point (Correct answer)
- Light stroking over the entire back
- Passive range-of-motion stretching
- Lymphatic drainage using feather-light pressure
Correct answer: Sustained digital compression on a trigger point
Sustained compression temporarily restricts blood flow (ischemia), and upon release, increased blood rushes to the area (reactive hyperemia).
Question 5: Which of the following is a mechanical effect of massage rather than a reflexive effect?
- Manually pushing venous blood toward the heart (Correct answer)
- Decreased cortisol levels through relaxation
- Activation of the gate control theory of pain
- Stimulation of the vagus nerve to lower heart rate
Correct answer: Manually pushing venous blood toward the heart
Physically moving venous blood toward the heart is a direct mechanical effect of pressure and stroking direction.
Question 6: What is the correct application direction for effleurage strokes when the goal is to enhance venous return?
- Distal to proximal, toward the heart (Correct answer)
- Proximal to distal, away from the heart
- In circular motions over the affected area
- Transverse to the muscle fibers
Correct answer: Distal to proximal, toward the heart
Effleurage performed from distal to proximal follows the direction of venous blood flow back to the heart.
Massage Therapist FREE Massage Therapist Massage Techniques and Effects Questions and Answers 2
Which massage technique involves lifting and squeezing muscle tissue away from the bone?