PMC Massage Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended pressure level for abdominal massage during the second trimester?
- Firm pressure to reach uterine musculature
- No pressure—abdominal massage is always contraindicated
- Light, superficial touch only (Correct answer)
- Moderate pressure identical to non-pregnant clients
Correct answer: Light, superficial touch only
When abdominal work is performed during pregnancy, only light, superficial touch is appropriate to avoid placing pressure on the uterus.
Question 2: Craniosacral therapy during pregnancy is generally considered:
- Contraindicated throughout all trimesters
- Safe when applied with gentle, non-invasive holds (Correct answer)
- Recommended only after 36 weeks
- Equivalent to deep tissue work on the sacrum
Correct answer: Safe when applied with gentle, non-invasive holds
Craniosacral therapy uses very light touch and is generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a trained therapist.
Question 3: During a prenatal massage, the therapist notices the client has varicose veins on the back of the knee. The correct response is to:
- Apply light effleurage directly over them to improve circulation
- Avoid direct massage over the varicosities (Correct answer)
- Use deep petrissage to break up the pooled blood
- Apply cold hydrotherapy over the veins before massaging
Correct answer: Avoid direct massage over the varicosities
Direct massage over varicose veins is contraindicated because it can dislodge a thrombus or cause further vessel damage.
Question 4: Which technique is most effective for releasing tension in the thoracic erector spinae of a pregnant client in the side-lying position?
- Tapotement with cupped hands along the thoracic spine
- Bilateral palm compression on the spinous processes
- Unilateral effleurage and petrissage along the paraspinal muscles (Correct answer)
- Cross-fiber friction directly on the spinous processes
Correct answer: Unilateral effleurage and petrissage along the paraspinal muscles
Unilateral effleurage followed by petrissage along the paraspinal muscles is effective and safely applied while the client is in a supported side-lying position.
Question 5: The purpose of using a body pillow between the knees during a side-lying prenatal massage is to:
- Prevent the client from rolling onto her back
- Maintain spinal alignment and reduce hip discomfort (Correct answer)
- Apply traction to the lumbar spine
- Facilitate access to the medial thigh for massage
Correct answer: Maintain spinal alignment and reduce hip discomfort
A pillow between the knees keeps the hips stacked and maintains lumbopelvic alignment, reducing strain on the SI joints and hip muscles.
Question 6: Swedish massage's long gliding strokes are particularly beneficial for pregnant clients primarily because they:
- Penetrate deep fascial layers to release adhesions
- Promote venous return and systemic relaxation without deep pressure (Correct answer)
- Stimulate uterine contractions to prepare for labor
- Increase joint range of motion more than other techniques
Correct answer: Promote venous return and systemic relaxation without deep pressure
Long gliding Swedish strokes enhance venous return and activate the parasympathetic response, offering relaxation benefits with a low-risk pressure profile.
Question 7: When using passive range-of-motion techniques on a pregnant client's hip, the therapist should be cautious of:
- Increased joint laxity due to relaxin (Correct answer)
- Decreased flexibility from weight gain
- Femoral nerve compression from the fetal head
- Hypertonicity of the hip flexors blocking movement
Correct answer: Increased joint laxity due to relaxin
Relaxin increases ligament laxity throughout pregnancy, making joints hypermobile and susceptible to overstretching during passive range-of-motion work.
PMC Massage Techniques 3
What is the recommended pressure level for abdominal massage during the second trimester?