MBLEx Test Benefits and Effects of Massage Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client receiving massage for general relaxation experiences a significant reduction in stress. This response is primarily due to the stimulation of which part of the nervous system?
- Somatic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
- Central nervous system
Correct answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
Massage therapy promotes relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response. This activation helps lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the production of stress hormones like cortisol.
Question 2: According to the gate control theory of pain, how does massage help alleviate a client's chronic lower back pain?
- By increasing the production of synovial fluid in the lumbar spine
- By stimulating large-diameter nerve fibers to block pain signals sent by smaller fibers (Correct answer)
- By breaking down crystalline deposits that have formed in the muscle tissue
- By increasing the electrical charge of the muscle cells to reset their pain threshold
Correct answer: By stimulating large-diameter nerve fibers to block pain signals sent by smaller fibers
The gate control theory of pain suggests that non-painful stimuli can 'close the gate' to painful stimuli. Massage stimulates large, fast A-beta nerve fibers, which carry touch and pressure sensations. These signals travel to the spinal cord faster than the pain signals from smaller A-delta and C fibers, effectively blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain.
Question 3: A therapist applies friction and petrissage to a client's quadriceps, and the area becomes red and warm to the touch. What is the correct physiological term for this localized increase in blood flow?
- Ischemia
- Cyanosis
- Hyperemia (Correct answer)
- Hemostasis
Correct answer: Hyperemia
Hyperemia is the term for an excess of blood in the vessels supplying an organ or other part of the body. During massage, mechanical and reflexive actions cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), leading to a temporary, localized increase in blood flow, which manifests as redness (erythema) and warmth.
Question 4: Which of the following describes a primarily mechanical effect of massage therapy?
- Decreased cortisol levels
- Increased serotonin production
- Reduction of fascial adhesions (Correct answer)
- Lowered heart rate
Correct answer: Reduction of fascial adhesions
A mechanical effect is a direct result of the physical forces of massage, such as compression, stretching, and friction. Reducing fascial adhesions is achieved by physically manipulating and separating adhered connective tissues. Decreased cortisol, increased serotonin, and lowered heart rate are reflexive effects, mediated by the nervous and endocrine systems in response to the massage.
Question 5: A client reports feeling less anxious and having an improved mood after a series of massage sessions. This psychological benefit is most directly linked to which biochemical change?
- An increase in cortisol and a decrease in dopamine
- A decrease in adrenaline and an increase in histamine
- An increase in aldosterone and a decrease in oxytocin
- A decrease in cortisol and an increase in serotonin (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A decrease in cortisol and an increase in serotonin
Research consistently shows that massage therapy can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol while increasing levels of neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation and happiness, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Question 6: When performing manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on a client, what is the primary intended physiological effect?
- To increase arterial blood circulation to the muscles
- To break down scar tissue and fascial adhesions
- To stimulate the movement of interstitial fluid into lymphatic capillaries (Correct answer)
- To trigger a strong parasympathetic nervous system response for deep relaxation
Correct answer: To stimulate the movement of interstitial fluid into lymphatic capillaries
The primary goal of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is to use gentle, rhythmic strokes to stimulate the lymphatic system. This encourages the movement of excess interstitial fluid (lymph) into the initial lymphatic vessels and helps propel it through the system, which is particularly beneficial for reducing edema.
MBLEx Test Benefits and Effects of Massage Questions and Answers
A client receiving massage for general relaxation experiences a significant reduction in stress.
This response is primarily due to the stimulation of which part of the nervous system?