Question 1

What is the primary purpose of effleurage as a massage stroke?

Accepted Answer

Effleurage (gliding strokes) is used to introduce and conclude a massage and to transition between other techniques. It promotes venous and lymphatic flow, warms tissue, induces relaxation, and allows the therapist to assess the tissue.

Question 2

What physiological effect does massage have on the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), reducing sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity. This results in decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, and increased serotonin and dopamine — explaining massage's stress-reducing effects.

Question 3

What is petrissage?

Accepted Answer

Petrissage involves kneading, squeezing, rolling, and wringing movements that lift tissue away from underlying structures. It increases circulation, reduces muscle tension, breaks down adhesions, and promotes lymphatic drainage.

Question 4

Which massage modality focuses specifically on realigning deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue?

Accepted Answer

Deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure and friction techniques to target the deeper layers of muscle and fascia. It is used to address chronic pain, muscle tension, postural imbalances, and adhesions.

Question 5

What is the primary principle behind trigger point therapy?

Accepted Answer

Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in muscle tissue that produce local pain and often refer pain to distant locations in predictable patterns. Trigger point therapy involves applying sustained ischemic compression to deactivate the trigger point and relieve referred pain.

Question 6

Friction massage techniques applied across the grain of muscle fibers are called:

Accepted Answer

Cross-fiber friction (transverse friction), developed by James Cyriax, applies deep pressure perpendicular to the direction of muscle fibers or tendons. It is used to break down adhesions, scar tissue, and chronic tension at specific sites like tendon attachments.

Question 7

What is the physiological rationale for applying heat before deep tissue massage work?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic heat increases local blood flow, raises tissue temperature, and improves collagen extensibility — making myofascial tissue more pliable and receptive to deeper techniques. It also reduces protective muscle guarding, allowing more effective therapeutic work.

Question 8

Tapotement massage strokes stimulate which physiological response when applied to the back?

Accepted Answer

Tapotement (percussive techniques: hacking, cupping, beating, tapping) mechanically stimulates superficial tissues, invigorates muscles, increases local circulation, and can assist in loosening respiratory secretions. In clinical respiratory PT, cupping over the back helps mobilize mucus.

Question 9

Myofascial release (MFR) differs from traditional Swedish massage primarily because:

Accepted Answer

MFR is typically performed without lotion/oil to allow therapist hands to engage (not slide over) fascial tissue. Sustained, gentle-to-moderate pressure is held for 90–120 seconds or more at fascial barriers, allowing the tissue to 'melt' and elongate — fundamentally different from lubricant-based gliding strokes.

Question 10

Trigger point therapy involves applying sustained pressure to a hyperirritable spot in a taut muscle band. The pressure is typically held for:

Accepted Answer

Ischemic compression (trigger point pressure release) is typically held for 8–12 seconds — or until the therapist feels the tissue soften or the client reports a significant reduction in referred pain intensity. Some protocols hold longer (60–90 seconds). The goal is the release of the taut band, not just temporary pain suppression.

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