Massage Therapy Quiz

Principles of Massage

The four patterns a treatment follows in sequence: General-Specific-General

Components of Massage

The six elements a therapist manipulates to change treatment effects: Direction, Rate, Rhythm, Pressure, Duration, Part

Direction (component)

Generally toward the heart ("centripetal") for relaxation and circulation

Pressure (component)

Ranges light to deep. Light-moderate is more relaxing. Always work within client's pain tolerance

Rhythm (component)

Even rhythm is most relaxing. Uneven rhythm is stimulating or used for proprioception Direction, Rate, Rhythm, Pressure, Duration, Part

Rate (component)

Speed of strokes - slower is relaxing

Duration (component)

Length of treatment (30-90 min) or time spent on an area/technique. Shorter is stimulating

Part (component)

The contact point used - hands

Contraindication

A condition or situation where therapy/technique is not recommended

Medical Emergency (CI type)

Life-threatening condition requiring 9-1-1 and first aid. Do not treat with massage

Systemic Contraindication

Also called "General." Affects the whole body

Local Contraindication

Affects a specific part or region of the body

Absolute Contraindication

A condition that cannot be treated under any circumstances (for a new therapist)

Relative Contraindication

A condition that is less acute or in remission and may be treated with caution or modification. Often a judgement call

Use

The purpose or reason for using a technique

Indication

A condition that dictates which treatments or modifications are appropriate

Effect

The physiological response to a treatment - what actually happened

Mechanical Effect

Direct stretching

Neurological/Reflex Effect

Mechanical stimulation triggers receptors that send signals to trigger another event elsewhere in the body

Chemical Effect

Mechanical stimulation causes release of chemicals into the bloodstream with widespread effects on tissue

Hyperemia

"Too much blood" - redness on skin as blood floods an area

Skin Rolling

A petrissage technique lifting skin to let blood into the space created. Can be static (hold and release) or dynamic (rolled between thumb and fingers)

Picking Up

A petrissage technique lifting tissue off underlying structures using thenar eminence

Tapotement

Striking/percussive techniques. Stimulating if under 1 min

Shaking

A joint mobilization technique performed at the joint to reduce tight muscles and guarding

Jostling

A joint mobilization technique performed on the muscle belly (direct shaking) to relax the muscle

Rocking

A joint mobilization technique moving the body/part rhythmically to its original position