Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Benefits and Effects of Massage 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Research on premature infants and massage therapy has consistently shown which benefit?
- Delayed neurological development requiring fewer stimuli
- Improved weight gain and earlier hospital discharge (Correct answer)
- Increased risk of infection from skin contact
- Reduced lung maturity due to calming effects
Correct answer: Improved weight gain and earlier hospital discharge
Landmark research by Tiffany Field demonstrated that premature infants receiving massage gained weight 47% faster and were discharged earlier than control groups.
Question 2: Which of the following best explains why massage can reduce the sensation of pain?
- Massage causes numbness by compressing peripheral nerves permanently
- Massage stimulates large-diameter sensory fibers that inhibit pain signals via gate control theory (Correct answer)
- Massage eliminates nociceptors in the treated area
- Massage increases substance P to override pain pathways
Correct answer: Massage stimulates large-diameter sensory fibers that inhibit pain signals via gate control theory
Gate control theory explains that tactile stimulation activates large A-beta fibers that inhibit pain transmission from smaller nociceptive C and A-delta fibers.
Question 3: A competitive runner uses massage between training sessions primarily to:
- Replace the need for rest days entirely
- Accelerate recovery by enhancing circulation and reducing muscle tension (Correct answer)
- Build muscle mass equivalent to strength training
- Prevent all future sports injuries permanently
Correct answer: Accelerate recovery by enhancing circulation and reducing muscle tension
Sports massage between training sessions enhances circulation to deliver nutrients, removes metabolic waste, and reduces hypertonicity to accelerate recovery.
Question 4: What effect does massage have on the myofascial system?
- It permanently dissolves all fascial adhesions in a single session
- It can reduce fascial restrictions and improve tissue mobility through sustained pressure and stretching (Correct answer)
- It increases cross-link formation between collagen fibers
- It transforms dense irregular connective tissue into muscle fibers
Correct answer: It can reduce fascial restrictions and improve tissue mobility through sustained pressure and stretching
Sustained pressure and stretching techniques applied to fascia can reduce restrictions, improve hydration of ground substance, and restore normal gliding between tissue layers.
Question 5: Which autonomic nervous system effect is associated with vigorous, stimulating massage techniques such as tapotement?
- Deep parasympathetic relaxation and reduced heart rate
- Mild sympathetic activation, increased alertness, and elevated muscle tone (Correct answer)
- Immediate release of melatonin causing drowsiness
- Decreased respiratory rate and lowered blood pressure
Correct answer: Mild sympathetic activation, increased alertness, and elevated muscle tone
Vigorous techniques like tapotement stimulate sympathetic nervous system activity, increasing alertness and muscle tone — useful before athletic activity.
Question 6: How does massage therapy support the immune system?
- It directly produces antibodies within the lymph nodes
- It increases natural killer cell activity and enhances lymphatic circulation (Correct answer)
- It eliminates pathogens through increased skin temperature
- It reduces white blood cell production to prevent autoimmune reactions
Correct answer: It increases natural killer cell activity and enhances lymphatic circulation
Studies show massage increases natural killer cell cytotoxicity and enhances lymphatic flow, which supports immune surveillance and waste removal.
Question 7: A client with diabetes mellitus receives massage therapy. Which benefit requires the therapist's careful monitoring during the session?
- Massage may cause sudden hyperglycemia requiring glucose restriction
- Massage can lower blood glucose levels, creating a risk of hypoglycemia (Correct answer)
- Massage eliminates the need for insulin by restoring pancreatic function
- Massage increases peripheral nerve damage in diabetic neuropathy
Correct answer: Massage can lower blood glucose levels, creating a risk of hypoglycemia
Massage can lower blood glucose levels, so diabetic clients should have eaten recently and the therapist should monitor for signs of hypoglycemia during treatment.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Benefits and Effects of Massage 4
Research on premature infants and massage therapy has consistently shown which benefit?