FREE Massage Therapist Question and Answers Flashcards

A client presents with pain at the medial epicondyle of the elbow aggravated by wrist flexion. Which condition should the massage therapist suspect?

Answer: Medial epicondylitis

Pain at the medial epicondyle worsened by resisted wrist flexion is characteristic of medial epicondylitis, commonly called golfer's elbow.

Which body system is most directly stimulated by the application of tapotement techniques during a massage session?

Answer: Nervous system

Tapotement's rapid percussive strikes primarily stimulate the nervous system, producing either a stimulating or sedating response depending on duration and intensity.

What is the primary contraindication for performing deep tissue massage directly over a site where a client has a known deep vein thrombosis?

Answer: It could dislodge the clot and cause an embolism

Deep pressure over a DVT site risks dislodging the clot, which could travel to the lungs and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

Which structure passes through the carpal tunnel along with the flexor tendons and is commonly compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer: Median nerve

The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and becomes compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

In Swedish massage, what is the recommended direction of effleurage strokes on the extremities?

Answer: Distal to proximal toward the heart

Effleurage on the extremities is performed from distal to proximal to assist venous return and lymphatic drainage toward the heart.

Which ethical principle requires a massage therapist to obtain a client's informed agreement before beginning any treatment?

Answer: Informed consent

Informed consent requires the therapist to explain the proposed treatment, risks, and benefits, and receive the client's agreement before proceeding.