NCBTMB Massage Techniques and Modalities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which stroke is used to transition between techniques and to assess tissue quality during a massage session?
- Petrissage
- Effleurage (Correct answer)
- Tapotement
- Friction
Correct answer: Effleurage
Effleurage is the gliding stroke used to connect techniques, spread lubricant, and assess tissue quality throughout a session.
Question 2: In myofascial release, the therapist applies sustained pressure until what occurs?
- The client reports pain relief
- A tissue release or 'melting' sensation is felt (Correct answer)
- The skin becomes red from hyperemia
- The muscle contracts and then relaxes
Correct answer: A tissue release or 'melting' sensation is felt
Myofascial release involves holding gentle, sustained pressure until the therapist feels a softening or 'melting' release in the fascial tissue.
Question 3: Which hydrotherapy application is MOST appropriate for an acute injury in the first 24–48 hours?
- Hot packs to increase circulation
- Contrast therapy alternating heat and cold
- Cold therapy to reduce inflammation (Correct answer)
- Warm paraffin wax treatment
Correct answer: Cold therapy to reduce inflammation
Cold therapy (cryotherapy) is indicated in the acute phase of injury to reduce inflammation, edema, and pain.
Question 4: Trigger point therapy works primarily by addressing:
- Joint capsule restrictions
- Hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle (Correct answer)
- Lymphatic congestion in soft tissue
- Fascial adhesions between muscle layers
Correct answer: Hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle
Trigger points are hyperirritable nodules located within taut bands of muscle that can refer pain to distant sites.
Question 5: A massage therapist performing cross-fiber friction is working perpendicular to:
- The direction of lymphatic flow
- The muscle fiber direction (Correct answer)
- The client's spine
- The direction of venous return
Correct answer: The muscle fiber direction
Cross-fiber friction is applied perpendicular to the muscle fiber direction to break up adhesions and scar tissue.
Question 6: Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) differs from general massage primarily in its focus on:
- Relaxation and stress reduction
- Specific soft tissue dysfunction, trigger points, and postural imbalances (Correct answer)
- Joint mobilization and stretching
- Lymphatic drainage and edema reduction
Correct answer: Specific soft tissue dysfunction, trigger points, and postural imbalances
NMT targets specific neuromuscular dysfunctions including trigger points, nerve compression, and postural distortions rather than general relaxation.
Question 7: When performing tapotement, which variation uses loosely cupped hands striking the tissue?
- Hacking
- Cupping (Correct answer)
- Pincement
- Beating
Correct answer: Cupping
Cupping involves loosely cupped hands striking the tissue to create a hollow sound and stimulate circulation in the underlying tissues.
NCBTMB Massage Techniques and Modalities 2
Which stroke is used to transition between techniques and to assess tissue quality during a massage session?