Massage Therapy
50 Practice Questions & Answers
1. Which massage technique uses long, gliding strokes typically
applied to warm up the tissue at the start of a session?
A. Petrissage
B. Effleurage ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Tapotement
D. Friction
2. What is the term for the kneading and lifting of muscle tissue
during massage?
A. Effleurage
B. Vibration
C. Petrissage ✓ (Correct Answer)
D. Compression
3. Tapotement is best described as:
A. Slow, deep pressure applied with the thumbs
B. Rhythmic percussive movements such as tapping or cupping
✓ (Correct Answer)
C. A stretching technique applied to fascia
D. Gliding strokes following venous return
4. Which of the following is a contraindication for massage
therapy?
A. Mild muscle tension
B. Chronic low back pain
C. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ✓ (Correct Answer)
D. General stress
5. The prone position refers to the client lying:
, A. Face down ✓ (Correct Answer)
B. Face up
C. On their side
D. Seated upright
6. Which body system is primarily responsible for producing heat
and movement through muscle contraction?
A. Skeletal system
B. Muscular system ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Endocrine system
D. Lymphatic system
7. The origin of a muscle is best defined as:
A. The more movable attachment point
B. The point where the muscle inserts onto the moving bone
C. The more fixed or stationary attachment point ✓ (Correct
Answer)
D. The belly of the muscle
8. Which muscle is primarily responsible for shoulder abduction
beyond 90 degrees?
A. Deltoid
B. Trapezius (lower fibers assisting) ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Pectoralis major
9. The trapezius muscle is divided into which three functional
regions?
A. Anterior, posterior, lateral
B. Upper, middle, lower ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Superior, inferior, medial
D. Proximal, distal, central
50 Practice Questions & Answers
1. Which massage technique uses long, gliding strokes typically
applied to warm up the tissue at the start of a session?
A. Petrissage
B. Effleurage ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Tapotement
D. Friction
2. What is the term for the kneading and lifting of muscle tissue
during massage?
A. Effleurage
B. Vibration
C. Petrissage ✓ (Correct Answer)
D. Compression
3. Tapotement is best described as:
A. Slow, deep pressure applied with the thumbs
B. Rhythmic percussive movements such as tapping or cupping
✓ (Correct Answer)
C. A stretching technique applied to fascia
D. Gliding strokes following venous return
4. Which of the following is a contraindication for massage
therapy?
A. Mild muscle tension
B. Chronic low back pain
C. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ✓ (Correct Answer)
D. General stress
5. The prone position refers to the client lying:
, A. Face down ✓ (Correct Answer)
B. Face up
C. On their side
D. Seated upright
6. Which body system is primarily responsible for producing heat
and movement through muscle contraction?
A. Skeletal system
B. Muscular system ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Endocrine system
D. Lymphatic system
7. The origin of a muscle is best defined as:
A. The more movable attachment point
B. The point where the muscle inserts onto the moving bone
C. The more fixed or stationary attachment point ✓ (Correct
Answer)
D. The belly of the muscle
8. Which muscle is primarily responsible for shoulder abduction
beyond 90 degrees?
A. Deltoid
B. Trapezius (lower fibers assisting) ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Pectoralis major
9. The trapezius muscle is divided into which three functional
regions?
A. Anterior, posterior, lateral
B. Upper, middle, lower ✓ (Correct Answer)
C. Superior, inferior, medial
D. Proximal, distal, central
