CMTO MCQ 2026 CORE EXAM MANUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS MARKED A+
✔✔MS - ✔✔potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord; immune system
attacks myelin that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between
brain and rest of the body
✔✔MS Symptoms - ✔✔fatigue, vision problems, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms,
pain, mobility problems
✔✔Parkinsons - ✔✔brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness and difficulty with
walking, balance and coordination
✔✔Parkinsons Symptoms - ✔✔bradykinesia, tremors, rigidity
✔✔Neurological Disorders CIs - ✔✔no SNS firing, avoid sensitive areas, modify
pressure and hydro, may need assistance on and off table, modify is BP is low or high,
no heat over large areas, no frictions if on anti-inflamms
✔✔Cerebral Palsy - ✔✔group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early
adulthood, symptoms vary over time
✔✔Cerebral Palsy Symptoms - ✔✔poor coordination, stiff muscles, tremors, problems
with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, speaking
✔✔Charcot Marie Tooth Disease - ✔✔a group of inherited conditions that damage the
peripheral nerves; involves smaller weaker muscles, loss of sensation, difficulty walking,
foot deformities
✔✔Diabetes Mellitus - ✔✔disorder in which body does not produce enough or respond
normally to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to be abnormally high
✔✔Neuropathy - ✔✔damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results
in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in affected area
✔✔Diabetes CIs - ✔✔cautions with DB, avoid using lotion if deep cracks on heels, avoid
frictions and cross fibre petrissage is tissue health compromised, modify on areas of
altered sensation
✔✔Cancer - ✔✔disease in which some of body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread
to other parts; many different types and treatments
✔✔Cancer CIs - ✔✔no local massage on radiation site or post surgery site; do not tire
client, follow edema protocols
, ✔✔Draping Purpose - ✔✔sets boundaries, not just comfortable for client
✔✔Principles of Massage - ✔✔-general to specific to general
-superficial to deep to superficial
-proximal to distal to proximal
-peripheral to central to peripheral
✔✔General Specific General - ✔✔applied to area of the body, gets client used to touch,
prepares tissues in a systematic manner
✔✔Proximal Distal Proximal - ✔✔applied to the limbs, helped increase local circulation
of blood/lymph, lighter pressure going distally
✔✔Peripheral Central Peripheral - ✔✔for acute and subacute local injuries and scar
tissue; aim to remove toxins, wastes beforehand
✔✔Treatment of Sensitive Areas - ✔✔includes chest wall, breasts, upper inner thigh,
gluteal region; must be clinically indicated with written consent
✔✔Superficial Reflex - ✔✔only engage the skin, may produce reflex effects, includes
hyperstimulation analgesia, no mechanical effects
✔✔Static Contact - ✔✔motionless contact of RMTs hands with client's body performed
with minimal force; promotes relaxation, establish rapport, sedation
✔✔Stroking - ✔✔gliding over client's skin with minimal deformation of subcutaneous
tissues; decreases pain, increases relaxation, may have effects on resting muscle
tension and tone
✔✔Fine Vibration - ✔✔fast, oscillating or trembling movement that is produced on
client's skin and results in minimal deformation of subcutaneous tissues; for pain relief,
changes in tone; performed for at least 5 minutes for analgesia
✔✔Superficial Fluid Techniques - ✔✔engage skin, superficial fascia and subcutaneous
fat down to the investing layer of deep fascia; produces mechanical effects on
superficial lymphatics and possibly venous circulation
✔✔Superficial Effleurage - ✔✔gliding techniques performed with light pressure in
direction of venous and lymphatic flow that deforms tissue down to investing layer of
deep fascia; used to spread oil, relax client and increase venous and lymph return
✔✔Superficial Lymph Drainage - ✔✔nongliding technique performed in direction of
lymphatic flow using short strokes with minimal pressure that deforms subcutaneous
ANSWERS MARKED A+
✔✔MS - ✔✔potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord; immune system
attacks myelin that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between
brain and rest of the body
✔✔MS Symptoms - ✔✔fatigue, vision problems, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms,
pain, mobility problems
✔✔Parkinsons - ✔✔brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness and difficulty with
walking, balance and coordination
✔✔Parkinsons Symptoms - ✔✔bradykinesia, tremors, rigidity
✔✔Neurological Disorders CIs - ✔✔no SNS firing, avoid sensitive areas, modify
pressure and hydro, may need assistance on and off table, modify is BP is low or high,
no heat over large areas, no frictions if on anti-inflamms
✔✔Cerebral Palsy - ✔✔group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early
adulthood, symptoms vary over time
✔✔Cerebral Palsy Symptoms - ✔✔poor coordination, stiff muscles, tremors, problems
with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, speaking
✔✔Charcot Marie Tooth Disease - ✔✔a group of inherited conditions that damage the
peripheral nerves; involves smaller weaker muscles, loss of sensation, difficulty walking,
foot deformities
✔✔Diabetes Mellitus - ✔✔disorder in which body does not produce enough or respond
normally to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to be abnormally high
✔✔Neuropathy - ✔✔damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results
in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in affected area
✔✔Diabetes CIs - ✔✔cautions with DB, avoid using lotion if deep cracks on heels, avoid
frictions and cross fibre petrissage is tissue health compromised, modify on areas of
altered sensation
✔✔Cancer - ✔✔disease in which some of body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread
to other parts; many different types and treatments
✔✔Cancer CIs - ✔✔no local massage on radiation site or post surgery site; do not tire
client, follow edema protocols
, ✔✔Draping Purpose - ✔✔sets boundaries, not just comfortable for client
✔✔Principles of Massage - ✔✔-general to specific to general
-superficial to deep to superficial
-proximal to distal to proximal
-peripheral to central to peripheral
✔✔General Specific General - ✔✔applied to area of the body, gets client used to touch,
prepares tissues in a systematic manner
✔✔Proximal Distal Proximal - ✔✔applied to the limbs, helped increase local circulation
of blood/lymph, lighter pressure going distally
✔✔Peripheral Central Peripheral - ✔✔for acute and subacute local injuries and scar
tissue; aim to remove toxins, wastes beforehand
✔✔Treatment of Sensitive Areas - ✔✔includes chest wall, breasts, upper inner thigh,
gluteal region; must be clinically indicated with written consent
✔✔Superficial Reflex - ✔✔only engage the skin, may produce reflex effects, includes
hyperstimulation analgesia, no mechanical effects
✔✔Static Contact - ✔✔motionless contact of RMTs hands with client's body performed
with minimal force; promotes relaxation, establish rapport, sedation
✔✔Stroking - ✔✔gliding over client's skin with minimal deformation of subcutaneous
tissues; decreases pain, increases relaxation, may have effects on resting muscle
tension and tone
✔✔Fine Vibration - ✔✔fast, oscillating or trembling movement that is produced on
client's skin and results in minimal deformation of subcutaneous tissues; for pain relief,
changes in tone; performed for at least 5 minutes for analgesia
✔✔Superficial Fluid Techniques - ✔✔engage skin, superficial fascia and subcutaneous
fat down to the investing layer of deep fascia; produces mechanical effects on
superficial lymphatics and possibly venous circulation
✔✔Superficial Effleurage - ✔✔gliding techniques performed with light pressure in
direction of venous and lymphatic flow that deforms tissue down to investing layer of
deep fascia; used to spread oil, relax client and increase venous and lymph return
✔✔Superficial Lymph Drainage - ✔✔nongliding technique performed in direction of
lymphatic flow using short strokes with minimal pressure that deforms subcutaneous
