Massage Therapy Ethics & Professionalism 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Scope of practice for a licensed massage therapist includes which of the following?
- Performing soft-tissue manipulation and client education about self-care (Correct answer)
- Diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions
- Prescribing therapeutic exercises as a rehabilitation plan
- Ordering diagnostic imaging
Correct answer: Performing soft-tissue manipulation and client education about self-care
Massage therapists are trained to perform soft-tissue manipulation and educate clients on self-care; diagnosing and prescribing are outside their scope.
Question 2: SOAP notes stand for:
- Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (Correct answer)
- Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Prescription
- Session, Outcome, Actions, Protocol
- Subjective, Outcome, Analysis, Plan
Correct answer: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOAP notes—Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan—are the standard clinical documentation format used by massage therapists.
Question 3: Transference in the therapeutic relationship refers to:
- The client projecting feelings or expectations onto the therapist (Correct answer)
- The therapist's personal feelings about the client
- Transferring client records to another provider
- Switching from one massage technique to another
Correct answer: The client projecting feelings or expectations onto the therapist
Transference occurs when a client unconsciously redirects feelings from past relationships onto the therapist; recognizing it helps maintain professional boundaries.
Question 4: Which organization provides the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)?
- Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) (Correct answer)
- American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)
- Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)
Correct answer: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
The MBLEx is developed and administered by the FSMTB and is the most widely accepted massage licensing exam in the United States.
Question 5: A client asks the therapist whether their chronic headaches are caused by muscle tension. The therapist should:
- Explain that diagnosis is outside scope of practice and suggest they see their physician (Correct answer)
- Diagnose tension-type headache and recommend a treatment plan
- Prescribe magnesium supplements for muscle tension
- Perform a neurological examination
Correct answer: Explain that diagnosis is outside scope of practice and suggest they see their physician
Diagnosis is outside the massage therapist's scope of practice; the therapist should acknowledge the concern and refer the client to a physician for diagnosis.
Question 6: Professional boundaries protect:
- Both the client and the therapist (Correct answer)
- Only the therapist from liability
- Only the client from harm
- Only the therapist's business reputation
Correct answer: Both the client and the therapist
Clear professional boundaries protect the client's safety and trust while also protecting the therapist from ethical violations and liability.
Massage Therapy Ethics & Professionalism 2
Scope of practice for a licensed massage therapist includes which of the following?