Assessment & Treatment Planning Flashcards
6 cards from real Massage Therapy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Assessment & Treatment Planning flashcards as text
Postural assessment is performed to identify:
Answer: Deviations from ideal alignment that may indicate muscular imbalances
Postural assessment reveals asymmetries, deviations, and compensatory patterns that guide the therapist in selecting appropriate techniques.
Palpation in massage therapy is used to assess:
Answer: Tissue texture, temperature, tension, and tenderness
Skilled palpation allows the therapist to assess soft tissue quality, including areas of hypertonicity, inflammation, and fascial restriction.
Range of motion (ROM) testing before a session helps the therapist to:
Answer: Establish a baseline and identify restricted movement patterns
Pre-session ROM testing establishes objective baselines so the therapist can set measurable treatment goals and track improvement.
A hypertonic muscle is best described as:
Answer: A muscle with excessive, sustained tension that is shorter than normal
Hypertonic muscles have elevated resting tone, feel tight on palpation, and restrict joint range of motion.
Which assessment test is used to identify potential thoracic outlet syndrome by raising both arms overhead?
Answer: Roos test (EAST test)
The Roos (elevated arm stress) test has the client hold arms at 90° abduction/external rotation and open and close the hands; symptom reproduction suggests thoracic outlet syndrome.
Which finding during palpation suggests active inflammation in soft tissue?
Answer: Increased local temperature and tissue edema
Acute inflammation presents with heat (calor) and swelling (tumor) that can be detected through skilled palpation, indicating a local contraindication.