Massage Theory Final Exam Review
(2025/2026) questions n correct
answers
Your client had a glenohumeral dislocation 3 years ago and has developed tension and trigger
points in their pectoralis major and minor. After performing NMT to these two muscles, the next
best way to treat the localized myofascial pain syndrome is by;
- Carefully stripping the relevant parts of the muscles without putting GH in stretch
- Putting the shoulder into an end range abduction stretch combined with external rotation
- Putting the shoulder in an end range abduction stretch
- pinning the origin of each muscle down while stretching the GH joint behind the muscle -
correct answer ✔✔carefully stripping the relevant parts of the muscles without putting the GH
joint into a stretch
T/F: It is safe to begin strength training once an immobilizer (cast) is removed from a fracture
site - correct answer ✔✔FALSE
Blue experienced a compression fracture in the lumbar spine after tubing one winter evening,
its been four weeks and blues lumbar spine is tender and sensitive to movements, especially
near the end ranges of the spine. Which of the following techniques might be less than ideal for
Blue?
- Superficial effleurage
- Rocking
- Wringing
- Fingertip kneading - correct answer ✔✔Rocking
What is the most common direction in which the glenohumeral joint is dislocated?
, - Anterior/Posterior
- Posterior/Inferior
-Posterior/Superior
-Anterior/Superior - correct answer ✔✔Anterior/Posterior
T/F: In the case of inferiorly dislocated/relocated shoulder with supportive immobilization
(sling), if the massage therapist and patient agree that the joint is adequately supported with
pillowing and positioning, and if it is permitted to remove the sling to better access the area,
there IS still risk in doing so. - correct answer ✔✔TRUE
In the first two weeks following a shoulder dislocation, the primary client-centred goals will
likely include each of the following EXCEPT:
- increasing ROM
- minimizing unnecessary muscle tension
- managing swelling at the joint
- reducing pain at the joint - correct answer ✔✔Increasing ROM
In order to restore function of the joint following a dislocation/relocation, the best long term
strategy would be to:
- Use joint mobs in direction of dislocation
- encourage strengthening activity at the end of the range
- Use joint mobs in all planes of available motion - correct answer ✔✔encourage strengthening
activity at the end of the range
T/F: It is safe for the therapist to use cold hydro distal to the immobilizer (cast) within 2 weeks of
the injury - correct answer ✔✔TRUE
Stress fractures are most often a result of:
(2025/2026) questions n correct
answers
Your client had a glenohumeral dislocation 3 years ago and has developed tension and trigger
points in their pectoralis major and minor. After performing NMT to these two muscles, the next
best way to treat the localized myofascial pain syndrome is by;
- Carefully stripping the relevant parts of the muscles without putting GH in stretch
- Putting the shoulder into an end range abduction stretch combined with external rotation
- Putting the shoulder in an end range abduction stretch
- pinning the origin of each muscle down while stretching the GH joint behind the muscle -
correct answer ✔✔carefully stripping the relevant parts of the muscles without putting the GH
joint into a stretch
T/F: It is safe to begin strength training once an immobilizer (cast) is removed from a fracture
site - correct answer ✔✔FALSE
Blue experienced a compression fracture in the lumbar spine after tubing one winter evening,
its been four weeks and blues lumbar spine is tender and sensitive to movements, especially
near the end ranges of the spine. Which of the following techniques might be less than ideal for
Blue?
- Superficial effleurage
- Rocking
- Wringing
- Fingertip kneading - correct answer ✔✔Rocking
What is the most common direction in which the glenohumeral joint is dislocated?
, - Anterior/Posterior
- Posterior/Inferior
-Posterior/Superior
-Anterior/Superior - correct answer ✔✔Anterior/Posterior
T/F: In the case of inferiorly dislocated/relocated shoulder with supportive immobilization
(sling), if the massage therapist and patient agree that the joint is adequately supported with
pillowing and positioning, and if it is permitted to remove the sling to better access the area,
there IS still risk in doing so. - correct answer ✔✔TRUE
In the first two weeks following a shoulder dislocation, the primary client-centred goals will
likely include each of the following EXCEPT:
- increasing ROM
- minimizing unnecessary muscle tension
- managing swelling at the joint
- reducing pain at the joint - correct answer ✔✔Increasing ROM
In order to restore function of the joint following a dislocation/relocation, the best long term
strategy would be to:
- Use joint mobs in direction of dislocation
- encourage strengthening activity at the end of the range
- Use joint mobs in all planes of available motion - correct answer ✔✔encourage strengthening
activity at the end of the range
T/F: It is safe for the therapist to use cold hydro distal to the immobilizer (cast) within 2 weeks of
the injury - correct answer ✔✔TRUE
Stress fractures are most often a result of:
