Bodywork Application and Physiology Flashcards
7 cards from real NCBTMB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Bodywork Application and Physiology flashcards as text
Which stroke is most appropriate to begin a Swedish massage session because it warms superficial tissues and accustoms the client to touch?
Answer: Effleurage
Effleurage is a gliding stroke used to warm tissues, spread lubricant, and introduce the client to the therapist's touch at the start of a session.
The physiological effect of slow, rhythmic massage on the parasympathetic nervous system is best described as:
Answer: Promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol
Slow, rhythmic massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation, reducing cortisol levels, and lowering heart rate.
When applying deep transverse friction to a muscle belly, the primary therapeutic goal is to:
Answer: Break down adhesions and realign collagen fibers
Deep transverse friction mobilizes scar tissue and helps realign disorganized collagen fibers within muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
Which layer of fascia surrounds individual muscle fibers and directly influences the sliding of actin and myosin?
Answer: Endomysium
The endomysium is the innermost connective tissue layer, surrounding individual muscle fibers and directly affecting intramuscular movement.
A client reports tenderness at the medial epicondyle with pain during wrist flexion. Which condition does this pattern suggest?
Answer: Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
Medial epicondylitis involves inflammation of the wrist flexor tendons at their origin on the medial epicondyle, causing pain with wrist flexion.
The Gate Control Theory of pain management explains how massage reduces pain perception by:
Answer: Activating large-diameter sensory fibers that inhibit pain signals
Gate Control Theory proposes that stimulating large-diameter A-beta fibers through touch closes the 'gate' in the dorsal horn, reducing transmission of pain signals from smaller C and A-delta fibers.
During a massage, a therapist notices the client's skin displays persistent erythema after stripping a muscle. This response indicates:
Answer: Local hyperemia from increased superficial blood flow
Persistent erythema after massage strokes reflects local hyperemia — increased blood flow to the area — a normal physiological response to mechanical stimulation.