Massage Therapy

Question 1

What massage technique should you always begin and end with?

Answer 1

effleurage

Question 2

Where should massage stroke begin and end in reference to the effected joint?

Answer 2

Massage stroke should begin at joint or below joint and finish above joint

Question 3

Where and how should you apply pressure?

Answer 3

Pressure should be inline with venous flow, return stroke without pressure

Question 4

Describe the effleurage technique

Answer 4

It involves a long, slow stroke with minimal drag

Question 5

What are the effects of effleurage?

Answer 5

• Assists circulation
• Decreases muscular tension
• Can reduce pain

Question 6

What is effleurage most often used for?

Answer 6

For applying and spreading massage cream

Question 7

2 Types of Effleurage

Answer 7

Superficial and Deep

Question 8

Describe the Pétrissage technique

Answer 8

Kneading manipulations that press and roll the muscles

Question 9

What are the effects of Pétrissage?

Answer 9

• Increases venous and lymphatic return

- Improves health of muscle tissue

Question 10

Where should Pétrissage be applied?

Answer 10

To individual muscles rather than the entire body area

Question 11

Describe how Pétrissage is applied?

Answer 11

You should grasp at parallel or right angles to muscle fibers moving distal to proximal, apply pressure, release in a lifting or rolling motion, then move to an adjacent area

Question 12

What are the 3 variations of Pétrissage?

Answer 12

• Deep
• Wringing
• Skin Rolling

Question 13

Deep Pétrissage is similar to what type of massage technique?

Answer 13

Circular, deep effleurage

Question 14

How do you perform wringing Pétrissage?

Answer 14

Slowly apply pressure without lifting the fascia

Question 15

How do you perform skin rolling Pétrissage?

Answer 15

Pinch the superficial fascia, lift it, then walk to roll of tissue in order to deform and loosen it

Question 16

Describe the tapotement technique

Answer 16

Fast, rhythmic stroke similar to drumming

Question 17

What are the effects of tapotement?

Answer 17

• Initial response is stimulating
• With longer duration, result is relaxation
• Often used to get a more active flow of blood

Question 18

4 Variations of Tapotement

Answer 18

• Pummeling (almost no sound)
• Tapping (no sound)
• Cupping (hollow sound)
• Slapping (light smack)

Question 19

What type of patients benefit from cupping tapotement?

Answer 19

Cystic fibrosis patients for postural drainage purposes

Question 20

Describe the vibration technique

Answer 20

High-frequency shaky hand movements

Question 21

Effect of vibration

Answer 21

Long duration initiates relaxation

Question 22

3 types of vibration techniques

Answer 22

• Rocking
• Jostling
• Shaking

Question 23

How does vibration induce relaxation?

Answer 23

It confuses the nervous system

Question 24

Describe the 2 types of friction massage effects

Answer 24

Superficial Friction Effects
- heat is created by friction by rubbing the client’s skin
- increases superficial blood flow
Deep Fiber Friction Effects
- increases circulation in deep fascia and muscle tissues
- breaks up fascial adhesions and scar tissue

Question 25

Describe the application of superficial friction massage

Answer 25

- Applying more resistance produces more heat | - Pressure is applied at a fast rate with the thumbs, finger pads, or palms

Question 26

Describe the application of deep fiber friction massage

Answer 26

- Pressure is applied in a perpendicular or circular motion using the thumbs, finger pads, knuckle portion of fist, or forearm

Question 27

When should you use deep fiber friction massage?

Answer 27

After other techniques have warmed the area first

Question 28

What is the purpose of a friction massage?

Answer 28

Pressure actually re-injures the affected tissue to get mobile, functional scar

Question 29

3 directions in which friction massage can be applied

Answer 29

- Cross-fiber friction - Circular friction - Longitudinal friction

Question 30

What is the difference between trigger points and tender points?

Answer 30

Trigger points refer pain

Question 31

What things cause trigger points?

Answer 31

- Mechanical stresses - Poor posture - Long-term muscle constriction - Nutritional inadequacies - Insufficient hydration - Psychological factors - Inadequate sleep

Question 32

How long should pressure be applied to trigger points?

Answer 32

30 to 45 seconds if not longer

Question 33

What type of trigger point release should you use when the trigger point I near the center of the muscle belly

Answer 33

Strumming, which is a more aggressive approach

Question 34

Myofascial tissue is thixotropic in nature, what does this mean?

Answer 34

Describes a material which undergoes a reduction in viscosity when shaken, stirred or otherwise mechanically disturbed and which readily recovers the original condition on standing

Question 35

3 types of myofascial release techniques

Answer 35

- 45-degree stroke - Skin rolling - C-stroke / S-stroke

Question 36

Describe the Graston Therory

Answer 36

Type of instrument assisted tissue-mobilization to help with break-down of scar tissue and fascial restrictions, as well as to stretch connective tissue and muscle fibers.

Question 37

How long should you hold for a positional release (Strain/Counterstrain)

Answer 37

Hold painless position for 90 seconds

Question 38

What technique uses a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organize(s) the whole body in gravity?

Answer 38

Rolfing

Question 39

Describe the Rolfing series

Answer 39

Consists of 10 one hour sessions of myofascial mobilization and movement re-education in which the ultimate goal is restoring the vertical alignment of the body

Question 40

Describe the Trager technique

Answer 40

Fluffing, jiggling, lengthening, and shimmering of muscle tissue is communicated to the patient’s mind via type Ia and type II afferent neurons of muscle spindles, resulting in the reduction of tone maintained by the CNS

Question 41

What is the goal of Trager massage?

Answer 41

For the patient to relinquish control