Massage Therapist Massage Therapist Massage Techniques and Effects Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which massage technique involves rhythmic tapping movements performed with cupped hands or the edge of the hand?
- Tapotement (Correct answer)
- Effleurage
- Petrissage
- Vibration
Correct answer: Tapotement
Tapotement consists of rhythmic percussive strikes using cupped hands, fists, or the edge of the hand to stimulate muscles.
Question 2: What is the primary physiological effect of deep transverse friction massage on tendons and ligaments?
- Breaking down adhesions and promoting proper fiber alignment (Correct answer)
- Increasing joint range of motion through stretching
- Reducing core body temperature
- Stimulating lymphatic drainage
Correct answer: Breaking down adhesions and promoting proper fiber alignment
Deep transverse friction works across the grain of tissue fibers to break adhesions and encourage realignment of collagen fibers during healing.
Question 3: During a Swedish massage, which stroke is typically used to assess tissue quality at the beginning of a session?
- Effleurage (Correct answer)
- Petrissage
- Friction
- Tapotement
Correct answer: Effleurage
Effleurage is a long gliding stroke used to warm tissues, apply lubricant, and allow the therapist to palpate and assess the client's tissue quality.
Question 4: Which physiological mechanism explains how massage reduces muscle spasm?
- Activation of the Golgi tendon organ reflex causing muscle relaxation (Correct answer)
- Increased production of synovial fluid in joints
- Direct compression of motor neurons in the spinal cord
- Decreased blood supply to the affected muscle
Correct answer: Activation of the Golgi tendon organ reflex causing muscle relaxation
Sustained pressure on a muscle activates Golgi tendon organs, which trigger an inhibitory reflex that reduces muscle tension and spasm.
Question 5: What distinguishes myofascial release from traditional Swedish massage techniques?
- It applies sustained pressure to fascial restrictions without lubricant (Correct answer)
- It uses rapid percussive movements on muscle bellies
- It requires the client to actively contract muscles during treatment
- It focuses exclusively on joint mobilization
Correct answer: It applies sustained pressure to fascial restrictions without lubricant
Myofascial release uses slow, sustained pressure applied directly to fascial restrictions, typically without lubricant to allow the therapist to engage the tissue.
Question 6: Which effect does the application of petrissage have on local blood circulation?
- It increases venous and lymphatic return through a pumping action (Correct answer)
- It constricts arterioles to reduce inflammation
- It redirects blood flow away from the treated area
- It has no measurable effect on circulation
Correct answer: It increases venous and lymphatic return through a pumping action
The kneading, lifting, and squeezing motions of petrissage create a pumping effect that enhances venous return and lymphatic drainage in the treated area.
Massage Therapist Massage Therapist Massage Techniques and Effects Questions and Answers 2
Which massage technique involves rhythmic tapping movements performed with cupped hands or the edge of the hand?