Physiological 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 Physiological Effects of Massage flashcards as text
What is the effect of massage on lymphocyte count, particularly natural killer (NK) cells, as supported by research?
Answer: Massage increases NK cell number and cytotoxicity, enhancing immune surveillance
Studies, including those on breast cancer patients, show massage increases natural killer cell number and activity, suggesting a direct positive effect on cellular immunity.
When tapotement is applied to the thoracic region, what is the primary clinical effect on the respiratory system?
Answer: It mechanically loosens and helps mobilize bronchial secretions
Tapotement (percussion) over the chest creates mechanical vibration that loosens and mobilizes mucus and secretions in the airways, aiding expectoration and used in respiratory therapy.
What is the physiological basis for the referred sensation experienced when a trigger point is compressed?
Answer: Central sensitization and convergence of afferent neurons at the dorsal horn
Trigger point referral occurs because pain signals from a sensitized area converge with afferents from distant regions at the same dorsal horn level, causing the brain to mislocate the pain source.
How does massage affect the production of substance P in chronic pain conditions?
Answer: Massage reduces substance P levels, contributing to decreased pain perception
Research indicates that massage can reduce the levels of substance P, a nociceptive neurotransmitter involved in pain transmission, thereby decreasing pain sensitivity.
Which of the following best describes the effect of massage on arterial blood pressure in hypertensive clients?
Answer: Massage produces a temporary but clinically meaningful reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure
Evidence shows that massage produces a temporary reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure through parasympathetic activation and reduced vascular resistance, though effects are not permanent.
What is the role of endorphins in the physiological response to massage therapy?
Answer: Endorphins are endogenous opioid peptides released by the brain that reduce pain and produce euphoria
Massage stimulates the release of endorphins from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus; these endogenous opioids bind to the same receptors as morphine, reducing pain and creating a sense of well-being.
A therapist applies deep, slow strokes to a chronically hypertonic hamstring. Which mechanoreceptor is most responsible for the resulting reduction in muscle tone?
Answer: Golgi tendon organs
Golgi tendon organs, located at the musculotendinous junction, respond to sustained tension by triggering autogenic inhibition (inverse myotatic reflex), causing the treated muscle to relax.