Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Physiological Effects of Massage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hormone is most directly decreased by regular massage therapy, contributing to improved immune function?
- Oxytocin
- Cortisol (Correct answer)
- Insulin
- Aldosterone
Correct answer: Cortisol
Cortisol, released during the stress response, suppresses immune function; regular massage lowers cortisol levels, allowing immune cell activity to normalize.
Question 2: How does massage affect tissue extensibility in areas with chronic fibrosis?
- It increases collagen cross-linking, making tissue stiffer
- It applies mechanical force that can remodel collagen fibers and improve extensibility (Correct answer)
- It dissolves fibrous tissue through enzymatic action
- It has no effect on collagen structure
Correct answer: It applies mechanical force that can remodel collagen fibers and improve extensibility
Sustained mechanical loading from massage can stress collagen fibers along lines of tension, encouraging realignment and improving the extensibility of fibrotic tissue.
Question 3: What is the primary physiological reason that massage is contraindicated over acute phlebitis?
- Massage would cool the area too rapidly
- Massage could dislodge a thrombus and cause an embolism (Correct answer)
- Massage increases platelet aggregation in the area
- Massage triggers autoimmune responses in venous walls
Correct answer: Massage could dislodge a thrombus and cause an embolism
Massaging over acute phlebitis risks dislodging a blood clot (thrombus), which could travel to the lungs, heart, or brain and cause a life-threatening embolism.
Question 4: Which reflex arc is responsible for the reduction in muscle tone observed after slow, sustained massage strokes?
- The stretch reflex via muscle spindles
- The inverse myotatic reflex via Golgi tendon organs (Correct answer)
- The flexor withdrawal reflex
- The crossed extensor reflex
Correct answer: The inverse myotatic reflex via Golgi tendon organs
Slow, sustained pressure activates Golgi tendon organs, which trigger the inverse myotatic reflex, causing autogenic inhibition and reducing muscle tone in the treated tissue.
Question 5: What physiological change explains increased skin temperature after vigorous friction massage?
- Decreased sweating reduces evaporative cooling
- Local vasodilation caused by histamine and prostaglandin release (Correct answer)
- Increased sympathetic vasoconstriction
- Reduction in subcutaneous fat insulation
Correct answer: Local vasodilation caused by histamine and prostaglandin release
Vigorous friction causes mast cells to release histamine and local tissue damage triggers prostaglandins, both causing vasodilation and the resulting increase in skin temperature.
Question 6: How does massage influence the thixotropic properties of the ground substance in connective tissue?
- It solidifies the ground substance to provide structural support
- It temporarily reduces viscosity, making the connective tissue more pliable (Correct answer)
- It converts ground substance into collagen fibers
- It permanently changes the chemical composition of proteoglycans
Correct answer: It temporarily reduces viscosity, making the connective tissue more pliable
Thixotropy refers to the ability of gel-like ground substance to become less viscous with agitation (movement/pressure), which massage exploits to increase connective tissue pliability.
Question 7: A client reports feeling deeply relaxed and slightly drowsy after a full-body Swedish massage. Which neurotransmitter/hormone combination best explains this response?
- Increased adrenaline and decreased melatonin
- Increased serotonin and increased oxytocin with decreased cortisol (Correct answer)
- Increased dopamine and increased norepinephrine
- Decreased GABA and increased substance P
Correct answer: Increased serotonin and increased oxytocin with decreased cortisol
Massage elevates serotonin (calming/mood regulation) and oxytocin (bonding/relaxation) while lowering cortisol, collectively producing the drowsy, deeply relaxed state clients often report.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Physiological Effects of Massage 3
Which hormone is most directly decreased by regular massage therapy, contributing to improved immune function?