Massage Mechanics

Question 1

Types of massage

Answer 1

Wellness or clinical

Question 2

Wellness massage

Answer 2

Used as a form of self-care to reduce stress, promote relaxation and function and decrease pain.

Question 3

Clinical massage

Answer 3

Used as a form of healthcare to help people with specific health issues.

Question 4

Pressure

Answer 4

The application of gliding or non-gliding force.

Question 5

Compression

Answer 5

Pushing or downward pressure.

Question 6

Traction

Answer 6

Decompression

Question 7

Ideal direction of downward force

Answer 7

45 to 90 degrees.

Question 8

Tissue displaced by light pressure

Answer 8

Superficial adipose tissue and fascia.

Question 9

Body parts used in light pressure

Answer 9

The weigh of the arms and hands.

Question 10

Uses for light pressure massage

Answer 10

To apply lubricant, for the beginning and end of a massage and for frail clients.

Question 11

Tissue displaced by medium pressure massage

Answer 11

Superficial muscle and fascial layers. Adjacent joints may move.

Question 12

Strength used for medium pressure massage

Answer 12

Strength of the arms and hands as well as the weight of the upper body.

Question 13

Uses for moderate pressure massage

Answer 13

Most wellness massage.

Question 14

Tissue displaced by deep pressure massage

Answer 14

Deeper muscles and their fascial layers.

Question 15

Strength required for deep pressure massage

Answer 15

Strength of the upper and lower extremities as well as the weight of the upper body.

Question 16

Endangerment site

Answer 16

Area containing structures that are vulnerable to injury; includes nerves, blood vessels, organs and glands.

Question 17

Main endangerment sites

Answer 17

Anterior neck, abdomen, lower back, armpit, popliteal space.

Question 18

Structures within the anterior neck

Answer 18

Thyroid, carotid, jugular, vagus and spinal accessory nerves and the brachial plexus.

Question 19

Vulnerable structure within the abdomen

Answer 19

Liver, bladder, small bowel, aorta and cysts.

Question 20

Vulnerable structures within the lower back

Answer 20

The kidneys.

Question 21

Vulnerable structures of the axilla

Answer 21

Brachial and axillary arteries, axillary and cephalic veins.

Question 22

Axilla

Answer 22

Armpit

Question 23

Vulnerable structures of the popliteal space

Answer 23

Popliteal artery and vein, tibial and peroneal nerves.

Question 24

Physical forces which can be applied during massage

Answer 24

Compression, tension, bending, shearing, torsion.

Question 25

Tension

Answer 25

Elongation or lengthening.

Question 26

Bending

Answer 26

Compression and tension force applied simultaneously, usually bending a tissue into a C-shape.

Question 27

Shearing

Answer 27

Sliding force in which two surfaces glide against one another.

Question 28

Torsion

Answer 28

Twisting or rotational force used in petrissage.

Question 29

Excursion

Answer 29

Distance travelled during a technique.

Question 30

Rate

Answer 30

Speed at which a technique is applied.

Question 31

Rhythm

Answer 31

Pattern or regularity of techniques.

Question 32

Sequence

Answer 32

Order in which techniques are arranged. Generally applied in structured multiples of 3.

Question 33

Routines

Answer 33

All of the sequences applied within a session.

Question 34

Contraindication

Answer 34

Condition that could be aggravated by massage.