Massage Therapist Flashcards
7 cards from real Massage Therapist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Massage Therapist flashcards as text
Which muscle is primarily targeted when a therapist works on the posterior triangle of the neck to address whiplash injuries?
Answer: Scalenes
The scalene muscles in the posterior triangle are commonly strained in whiplash and can compress the brachial plexus.
A massage therapist notices a suspicious mole on a client's back. The most appropriate action is to:
Answer: Document it, inform the client, and recommend they see a dermatologist
Therapists are not diagnosticians, but they have a duty to note and inform clients about unusual skin changes and refer to the appropriate professional.
Which hydrotherapy application uses alternating hot and cold to stimulate the vascular system?
Answer: Contrast bath
Contrast baths alternate between hot and cold water to cause vasodilation and vasoconstriction, improving circulation.
What term describes an involuntary local muscle contraction within a taut band, identifiable by palpation and causing referred pain?
Answer: Trigger point
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle associated with a taut band that produces referred pain patterns.
The informed consent process requires that the therapist:
Answer: Explain the treatment, benefits, risks, and alternatives so the client can freely consent
Informed consent means the client receives enough information about the proposed treatment to make an autonomous, voluntary decision.
Which stroke technique is MOST appropriate for warming up superficial tissues at the start of a massage?
Answer: Superficial effleurage
Superficial effleurage is a light, gliding stroke used at the start to warm tissues, assess the area, and prepare the client.
Massage is generally contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy primarily because:
Answer: The risk of miscarriage is greatest and massage may exacerbate complications
The first trimester carries the highest risk of spontaneous miscarriage, so many therapists require physician clearance before working with first-trimester clients.