Massage Therapist Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Massage Therapist facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which essential oil has strong antifungal properties and is commonly used to address fungal skin conditions? → Tea tree (Melaleuca)
2. A client tells their massage therapist they are suicidal. What is the therapist's primary ethical and legal obligation? → Contact emergency services or the client's emergency contact immediately
3. Under HIPAA guidelines, when may a massage therapist share a client's health information with a third party without explicit consent? → Only when required by law, such as a court order or mandatory reporting obligation
4. Which plane of motion divides the body into front and back halves and includes movements such as abduction and adduction? → Frontal (coronal) plane
5. Which structure carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart? → Inferior vena cava
6. The hamstring muscle group is located on which surface of the thigh? → Posterior
7. Sweet orange essential oil is extracted from which part of the orange tree? → Rind (peel)
8. What does the term 'adulteration' mean in the context of essential oils? → The addition of synthetic chemicals or cheaper oils to reduce cost or alter scent
9. Which muscle is the primary hip flexor and is commonly addressed in massage therapy for clients with lower back pain? → Iliopsoas
10. Which of the following is an absolute, systemic contraindication for massage therapy? → Fever
11. A client undergoing chemotherapy asks about using essential oils. What is the most appropriate therapist response? → Refer to their oncologist and use only gentle, low-dilution oils with medical clearance
12. What should a massage therapist do if a client requests a technique the therapist is not trained to perform? → Decline and explain they are not trained in that technique
13. Which business practice is considered an ethical violation for a licensed massage therapist? → Guaranteeing specific therapeutic outcomes in advertising materials
14. What is the primary purpose of performing a patch test before using an essential oil blend on a new client? → To check for allergic or sensitivity reactions
15. Which body system is directly responsible for maintaining fluid balance through filtration of blood? → Urinary system
16. What is the role of the synergist muscle during a movement? → It assists the prime mover in performing the action
17. Which essential oil is most commonly contraindicated for clients with epilepsy? → Rosemary
18. When a muscle contracts without changing length and no movement occurs at a joint, this is called: → Isometric contraction
19. A therapist applies sustained pressure to a myofascial trigger point until the tissue releases. This technique is known as: → Ischemic compression
20. Which dilution percentage is most appropriate when applying essential oils to a client's face? → 0.5–1%
21. What is the primary purpose of a SOAP note in massage therapy practice? → To document the client's session for professional and legal records
22. A client discloses they are currently undergoing chemotherapy. What is the most appropriate initial action for a massage therapist? → Obtain physician clearance before proceeding with treatment
23. What does 'leading with the body' mean when applying compressions during massage? → Using torso movement and weight shift to drive the hand into the tissue
24. Scapular upward rotation is primarily produced by which muscles working together? → Serratus anterior and upper/lower trapezius
25. Which action by a massage therapist would constitute a HIPAA violation? → Mentioning a client's name and condition to a mutual acquaintance
26. A client offers a massage therapist a large cash tip and suggests meeting socially outside the practice. What should the therapist do? → Accept the tip but decline the social invitation
27. Which biomechanical force creates compression on the intervertebral discs when a client is standing upright? → Axial loading from gravity and body weight
28. In Swedish massage, what is the recommended direction of effleurage strokes on the extremities? → Distal to proximal toward the heart
29. A client with high blood pressure is booked for an aromatherapy massage. Which essential oil should the therapist AVOID? → Rosemary
30. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle generates force while lengthening, such as slowly lowering a weight? → Eccentric contraction