Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Massage Techniques and Application 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which massage stroke is characterized by long, gliding movements applied with the palms and fingers along the length of a muscle?
- Petrissage
- Effleurage (Correct answer)
- Tapotement
- Friction
Correct answer: Effleurage
Effleurage consists of long, gliding strokes applied with the palms and fingers, making it the foundational Swedish massage technique used to warm tissue and promote circulation.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of petrissage in massage therapy?
- To sedate the nervous system
- To warm up superficial tissues only
- To lift, squeeze, and knead muscles to increase circulation and release tension (Correct answer)
- To apply direct sustained pressure to trigger points
Correct answer: To lift, squeeze, and knead muscles to increase circulation and release tension
Petrissage involves lifting, squeezing, and kneading muscle tissue, which increases local circulation, breaks up adhesions, and promotes removal of metabolic waste.
Question 3: Tapotement is best described as which type of massage movement?
- Slow, rhythmic compression strokes held for several seconds
- Rhythmic striking or percussive movements applied with the hands (Correct answer)
- Sustained pressure held on a specific hyperirritable point
- Long gliding strokes following the direction of venous return
Correct answer: Rhythmic striking or percussive movements applied with the hands
Tapotement is a percussive technique involving rhythmic striking of the tissue with various hand positions, which stimulates superficial nerves and invigorates the area.
Question 4: In which direction should effleurage strokes be applied to best promote venous return?
- Toward the periphery (distal to proximal)
- Across muscle fibers at a 90-degree angle
- Toward the heart (centripetal direction) (Correct answer)
- Along fascial planes only
Correct answer: Toward the heart (centripetal direction)
Effleurage applied toward the heart (centripetally) pushes blood through the venous system back to the central circulation, enhancing venous return.
Question 5: Cross-fiber friction is primarily used by massage therapists to:
- Stimulate lymphatic flow in superficial vessels
- Break down adhesions and scar tissue in tendons and ligaments (Correct answer)
- Relax superficial muscles through broad contact
- Apply therapeutic heat to deep tissue layers
Correct answer: Break down adhesions and scar tissue in tendons and ligaments
Cross-fiber friction is applied perpendicular to muscle or tendon fibers to break down adhesions, realign collagen fibers, and restore mobility in scar tissue.
Question 6: Which massage technique involves applying sustained pressure to a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle to alleviate referred pain?
- Effleurage
- Vibration
- Trigger point therapy (Correct answer)
- Petrissage
Correct answer: Trigger point therapy
Trigger point therapy applies sustained ischemic pressure to a hyperirritable nodule within a taut band of muscle, reducing the trigger point's activity and its referred pain pattern.
Question 7: Vibration in massage therapy is best described as:
- A kneading technique applied to superficial muscle bellies
- Rapid, rhythmic shaking or trembling movements transmitted through the hands into the tissue (Correct answer)
- Circular movements applied with fingertip pressure
- Quick rhythmic tapping using just the fingertips
Correct answer: Rapid, rhythmic shaking or trembling movements transmitted through the hands into the tissue
Vibration involves the therapist transmitting rapid, rhythmic oscillating or shaking movements through the hands into the client's tissue, which can sedate or stimulate nerves depending on the rate applied.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Massage Techniques and Application 1
Which massage stroke is characterized by long, gliding movements applied with the palms and fingers along the length of a muscle?