Benefits and Effects of Massage Flashcards
7 cards from real Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Benefits and Effects of Massage flashcards as text
Which psychological benefit of massage is most supported by research involving massage and neurotransmitters?
Answer: Reduced anxiety and improved mood linked to increased dopamine and serotonin
Research consistently shows massage increases dopamine and serotonin levels while decreasing cortisol, correlating with reduced anxiety and improved mood.
A massage therapist is working with a client who has edema in the lower leg following minor injury. In which direction should lymphatic drainage techniques be applied?
Answer: Proximally, toward the regional lymph nodes, to encourage drainage
Lymphatic drainage techniques must always move fluid proximally toward regional lymph nodes, following the natural flow direction of the lymphatic system.
Which effect of massage on the respiratory system makes it particularly beneficial for clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Answer: Massage relaxes accessory breathing muscles and can improve respiratory efficiency
COPD clients often overuse accessory breathing muscles; massage reduces tension in these muscles and can improve breathing mechanics and reduce dyspnea.
The concept of 'somatic memory' in massage therapy refers to:
Answer: The body storing emotional experiences as chronic muscular tension patterns
Somatic memory refers to the phenomenon where unresolved emotional experiences become stored as chronic holding patterns or tension in the musculoskeletal system.
How does massage therapy specifically benefit clients with insomnia?
Answer: It reduces cortisol and increases serotonin, creating neurochemical conditions favorable to sleep
Massage reduces cortisol (a stimulating stress hormone) and increases serotonin (a precursor to melatonin), shifting neurochemistry toward sleep-promoting conditions.
A client with hypertension receives regular massage therapy. Which hemodynamic benefit is most commonly documented?
Answer: Temporary reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure following sessions
Multiple studies document temporary reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure following massage, attributed to parasympathetic activation and reduced vascular resistance.
Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between massage and the endocrine system?
Answer: Massage can modulate hormone levels such as reducing cortisol and increasing endorphins
Massage influences the endocrine system by modulating stress hormones like cortisol while stimulating release of endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine.