NCBTMB Massage Application and Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stroke is most appropriate to use at the BEGINNING of a massage session to warm up tissue?
- Deep friction
- Effleurage (Correct answer)
- Tapotement
- Cross-fiber friction
Correct answer: Effleurage
Effleurage is a gliding stroke used at the start of massage to warm superficial tissue and prepare the client for deeper work.
Question 2: When performing pétrissage, the therapist primarily targets which tissue layer?
- Superficial fascia only
- Bone and periosteum
- Muscle belly and deeper fascia (Correct answer)
- Skin epidermis
Correct answer: Muscle belly and deeper fascia
Pétrissage (kneading) compresses and lifts the muscle belly and deeper fascia to improve circulation and reduce muscular tension.
Question 3: A client presents with acute muscle spasm in the upper trapezius. Which technique is CONTRAINDICATED in this scenario?
- Gentle effleurage
- Passive range of motion
- Vigorous tapotement (Correct answer)
- Mild myofascial release
Correct answer: Vigorous tapotement
Tapotement is a percussive, stimulating technique that can aggravate an acute muscle spasm and is therefore contraindicated.
Question 4: Which direction should effleurage strokes primarily be directed to best support venous return?
- Distal to proximal (toward the heart) (Correct answer)
- Proximal to distal (away from the heart)
- Lateral to medial only
- Inferior to superior on the posterior surface only
Correct answer: Distal to proximal (toward the heart)
Effleurage strokes directed from distal to proximal (toward the heart) support venous return and lymphatic flow.
Question 5: What is the primary physiological effect of friction techniques?
- Decreasing arterial blood pressure
- Generating local heat and breaking down adhesions (Correct answer)
- Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system broadly
- Increasing synovial fluid production in joints
Correct answer: Generating local heat and breaking down adhesions
Friction generates localized heat through mechanical action and helps break down scar tissue and fascial adhesions.
Question 6: During a sports massage, a therapist uses skin rolling. This technique primarily affects which structure?
- Deep muscle fascia
- Superficial fascia and skin (Correct answer)
- Periosteum
- Joint capsules
Correct answer: Superficial fascia and skin
Skin rolling lifts and rolls the skin away from underlying fascia, primarily addressing the superficial fascia and skin mobility.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the technique of vibration in massage?
- Rapid alternating compression and release applied with oscillating movement (Correct answer)
- Slow deep gliding strokes along the muscle fiber
- Brisk slapping with cupped hands
- Sustained pressure held on a trigger point
Correct answer: Rapid alternating compression and release applied with oscillating movement
Vibration involves rapid, oscillating movements that alternately compress and release tissue to produce a trembling effect.
NCBTMB Massage Application and Techniques 2
Which stroke is most appropriate to use at the BEGINNING of a massage session to warm up tissue?