Massage Therapy Pathology & Contraindications

Question 1

Deep tissue massage is absolutely contraindicated over an area with:

Accepted Answer

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

Answer

Chronic tension headaches

Answer

Mild scar tissue

Question 2

A client presents with redness, warmth, swelling, and pain in a joint. These cardinal signs indicate:

Accepted Answer

Acute inflammation

Answer

Chronic fibrosis

Answer

Muscle atrophy

Answer

Bone spur formation

Question 3

Which skin condition is a local contraindication for massage?

Accepted Answer

Herpes zoster (shingles) outbreak

Answer

Well-healed surgical scar (more than 6 months old)

Answer

Chronic eczema in remission

Answer

Freckles

Question 4

Massage is generally contraindicated for clients in which trimester of pregnancy without special positioning?

Accepted Answer

First trimester (weeks 1–13)

Answer

Second trimester (weeks 14–27)

Answer

Third trimester (weeks 28–40)

Answer

Massage is never contraindicated in pregnancy

Question 5

Fever is considered a systemic contraindication because massage may:

Accepted Answer

Increase metabolic rate and worsen the fever

Answer

Reduce white blood cell production

Answer

Cause hypothermia

Answer

Permanently damage skin

Question 6

Which condition requires a physician's clearance before massage but is not an absolute contraindication?

Accepted Answer

Controlled hypertension

Answer

Active cancer with metastasis to bone

Answer

Contagious skin infection

Answer

Acute appendicitis