OMT OMT Contraindications & Special Populations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When treating elderly clients, which physiological change requires adjusting massage pressure and technique?
- Increased skin elasticity
- Decreased pain sensitivity
- Reduced skin integrity and more fragile capillaries (Correct answer)
- Increased bone density
Correct answer: Reduced skin integrity and more fragile capillaries
Aging causes decreased collagen, thinner skin, and more fragile capillaries, making elderly clients prone to bruising and skin tears with heavy pressure.
Question 2: A client presents with fever of 102°F (39°C). What is the appropriate course of action?
- Proceed with a light relaxation massage
- Postpone treatment until fever resolves (Correct answer)
- Apply cold packs and continue treatment
- Focus only on the head and neck
Correct answer: Postpone treatment until fever resolves
Fever is a systemic contraindication to massage because it indicates an active inflammatory or infectious process that could be worsened or spread by circulatory stimulation.
Question 3: For clients undergoing chemotherapy, massage is best performed when?
- On the same day as chemotherapy infusion
- Immediately before chemotherapy
- During periods of stable blood counts and with oncologist clearance (Correct answer)
- Only after all chemotherapy is completed
Correct answer: During periods of stable blood counts and with oncologist clearance
Massage for oncology clients should occur during periods of stable blood counts with medical clearance to reduce risks of bleeding, infection, and treatment disruption.
Question 4: Which condition requires the therapist to obtain physician clearance before performing orthopedic massage?
- Resolved ankle sprain from 2 years ago
- Acute fracture in the healing phase (Correct answer)
- Mild chronic neck tension
- Post-workout muscle fatigue
Correct answer: Acute fracture in the healing phase
An acute fracture in the healing phase requires physician clearance to ensure massage does not disrupt bone healing, hardware, or cause displacement.
Question 5: When treating a client with hypertension who is on blood thinners (anticoagulants), which technique modification is most appropriate?
- Use maximum pressure to restore circulation
- Use lighter pressure to reduce bruising risk (Correct answer)
- Apply hot compresses with deep friction
- Focus exclusively on trigger point therapy
Correct answer: Use lighter pressure to reduce bruising risk
Anticoagulant medications impair normal clotting, making clients prone to bruising and hematoma formation; lighter pressure reduces this risk.
Question 6: A local contraindication means the therapist should:
- Cancel the entire session
- Avoid massage only to the affected area while treating other areas normally (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a physician immediately
- Use twice the normal pressure to treat the condition
Correct answer: Avoid massage only to the affected area while treating other areas normally
A local contraindication means that only the affected area must be avoided while the rest of the body can be treated safely and appropriately.
OMT OMT Contraindications & Special Populations 2
When treating elderly clients, which physiological change requires adjusting massage pressure and technique?