Deck 7: Body Mechanics, Client Positioning, and Draping

Question 1

To avoid fatigue, Greene and Goggins suggest that what percentage of massage time be spent with the therapist in the seated position?

A) 15%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 80%

Answer 1

B
Explanation: Additionally, Greene and Goggins encourage therapists to spend approximately 25% of the massage time in the seated position to avoid fatigue. The client's face, neck, feet, or hands can be massaged while seated as these areas require less compressive force.

Question 2

Which approach would be most effective in reducing risk of fatigue and injury to massage therapists?

A) Perform deep tissue sessions at the end of the day
B) Alternate intensive hands-on treatments with less intensive treatments
C) Use only a few techniques and repeat them many times to perfect them
D) Avoid methods such as hydrotherapy or ashiatsu

Answer 2

B
Explanation: Use a variety of techniques to reduce repetitive motion of the hands; this may reduce the risk of fatigue and injury. Furthermore, Greene and Goggins recommend alternating intensive hands-on treatments such as deep tissue with less intense treatments such as muscle energy techniques or Trager which require less compressive force and repetitive movements. Also recommended was to interject techniques that require little or no use of the hands such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, ashiatsu, or energy balancing methods such as polarity or reiki.

Question 3

Which guideline is recommended for effective body mechanics?

A) Warming up after giving a massage
B) Using a limited number of techniques
C) Wearing comfortable clothing
D) Keeping wrists and digits hyperflexed

Answer 3

C
Explanation: Clothing should feel comfortable, allow freedom of movement, and look professional. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing, watches, bracelets, dangling necklaces or hair styles that may drag on the client's body.

Question 4

Which concept helps massage therapists prepare themselves mentally when performing professional activities?

A) Drive
B) Mindfulness
C) Tranquility
D) Detachment

Question 5

Which term describes attention given to present moments characterized by curiosity, openness, acceptance, and engagement?

A) Mindfulness
B) Wellness
C) Focus
D) Synergy

Question 6

Which factor provides the massage therapist's base of support?

A) Foot stances
B) Table height
C) Client's body
D) Shoulder strength

Question 7

It is recommended that female massage therapists strengthen which body area in particular?

A) Back
B) Hips
C) Legs
D) Shoulders

Question 8

Foot stances that provide support, balance, and mobility are all essential to which aspect of massage therapy?

A) Body mechanics
B) Mental preparation
C) Client positioning
D) Proper draping

Question 9

Which effect does using proper body mechanics have?

A) Greater upper body strength for techniques
B) Decreased need for stamina
C) Increased recovery time after performing techniques
D) Pressure that maximizes benefit to the client

Question 10

Which factor is taken into account when adjusting massage table height?

A) Client height
B) Client girth
C) Room size
D) Ceiling height

Question 11

Foot stances that provide support, balance, and mobility are all essential to which aspect of massage therapy?

A) Body mechanics
B) Centering techniques
C) Client positioning
D) Proper draping

Question 12

Which condition do effective body mechanics help prevent?

A) Repetitive stress injury
B) Fibromyalgia
C) Rheumatoid arthritis
D) Diabetes mellitus

Question 13

Which factor in a shoe provides the best balance, performance, and directional control while performing massage?

A) Flat heel rest
B) Lace-up closure
C) Hard insole
D) Arch support

Question 14

Which shape is the strongest and most stable?

A) Triangle
B) Line
C) Point
D) Rhombus

Question 15

Which term means the use of one's body that is safe, energy-conserving, reduces strain, and is anatomically efficient?

A) Balance
B) Stamina
C) Body mechanics
D) Client positioning

Question 16

What is the minimal amount of recommended open space around all sides of a massage table?

A) 2 feet
B) 3 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet

Question 17

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that warm-ups last how many minutes?

A) 2-3
B) 4-5
C) 5-10
D) 10-15

Question 18

Which area of the foot makes contact with the ground?

A) Third cuneiform
B) Navicular tuberosity
C) Head of the fifth metatarsal
D) Head of the second metatarsal

Question 19

Research has shown that when massage therapists work at least 6 hours per day, pain develops in which area of their bodies?

A) Neck
B) Middle back
C) Lower back
D) Feet

Question 20

Which type of flooring is recommended for massage therapists to work on?

A) Stone
B) Tile
C) Wood
D) Concrete

Question 21

How are the massage therapist's feet positioned in the horse stance?

A) One foot is pointing in the direction of movement and the other foot is directly behind it, pointing in the same direction
B) One foot is pointing in the direction of movement and the other foot is pointing beneath the table
C) Symmetric and pointing in the same direction
D) Symmetric and pointing in opposite directions

Question 22

Which technique used to move around a client lying on a mat?

A) Diving
B) Lunging
C) Squatting
D) Crawling

Question 23

Which foot stance should be used when performing massage techniques on the area of the client that is directly in front of the therapist's body?

A) Lunge
B) Horse
C) Bow
D) Archer

Question 24

Which items are pillows or cushions used for supporting clients in the various positions for massage therapy?

A) Bolsters
B) Drapes
C) Stools
D) Dispensers

Question 25

Which position is appropriate for the archer stance?

A) Head tilted downward
B) Spine aligned
C) Trunk flexed
D) Knees kept extended

Question 26

In the horse stance, as the massage therapist's hands move laterally or anteriorly and posteriorly, what does the therapist's body weight do?

A) Distributes itself over the right foot
B) Elevates into the shoulders
C) Shifts from one foot to the other and back
D) Shifts forward and stays there

Question 27

Which joint position allows the massage therapist to apply the most pressure with the least amount of stress?

A) Stacked
B) Hyperextended
C) Flexed
D) Abducted

Question 28

Where is the body's center of gravity located?

A) Middle of the sternum
B) Midway between the shoulders
C) Pubic crest
D) Lower abdomen

Question 29

Which body position helps stabilize the core?

A) Extended hips
B) Flexed hips
C) Anteriorly-tilted pelvis
D) Abducted shoulder joints

Question 30

Where is a bolster typically placed for a client in prone position?

A) Under the neck
B) Behind the knees
C) Under the ankles
D) Over the ankles

Question 31

Which term means lying on the back, face up?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Seated
D) Side-lying

Question 32

Which technique is a posture from which the massage therapist can move into other positions easily when working on a client lying on a mat?

A) Diving
B) Swinging
C) Squatting
D) Draping

Question 33

Which foot stance is most stable for performing long massage techniques?

A) Warrior
B) Horse
C) Archer
D) Squatting

Question 34

Which factor serves as the "engine" of force development in the application of massage techniques?

A) Stable core
B) Strong shoulders
C) Limber forearms
D) Flexed trunk

Question 35

In the archer position, which body position allows the massage therapist to deliver consistent pressure?

A) Keeping the arms close to the trunk
B) Pushing on the client to move forward
C) Preventing the hips from rotating
D) Placing the trailing foot ahead of the lead foot

Question 36

When applying decompression or traction, where should the massage therapist's body weight be positioned in relation to the application area?

A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Over
D) Lateral

Question 37

Which term means lying face down?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Side-lying
D) Semireclining

Question 38

Which position is a primary one for the client to be in while receiving massage therapy?

A) Seated
B) Standing
C) Kneeling
D) Squatting

Question 39

If a prone client has excess lumbar spine curvature, under which part of the body should a pillow be placed for comfort?

A) Abdomen
B) Knees
C) Neck
D) Ankles

Question 40

Recumbent means that a person is in which position?

A) Standing up
B) Lying down
C) Kneeling
D) Sitting

Question 41

Which term means the client is resting face up, and his or her trunk and head are upright in relation to the lower body?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Side-lying
D) Semireclining

Question 42

While lying supine, the client's cervical spine should be in what position?

A) Flexed
B) Neutral
C) Rotated
D) Extended

Question 43

Which term means covering the client's body and massage equipment with a cloth?

A) Draping
B) Palpating
C) Bolstering
D) Positioning

Question 44

Which reason is a purpose for draping a client?

A) Ability to charge more for the massage session
B) Enhancement of certain techniques
C) Client modesty and emotional privacy
D) Massage therapist's comfort

Question 45

What should the therapist do before asking the client to turn over on the massage table?

A) Remove all bolsters
B) Sanitize the hands
C) Remove the client drape
D) Open the door to the treatment room

Question 46

Which position means the client who has his or her torso erect, knees bent, and buttocks supported?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Seated
D) Side-lying

Question 47

Which term means the client is resting on the left or right aspect of his or her body?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Side-lying
D) Semireclining

Question 48

High Fowler's position means the client's upper body is elevated how many degrees?

A) 20
B) 40
C) 70
D) 90

Question 49

Which procedure should the massage therapist do to manage the draping as the client turns over?

A) Anchor the edge of the sheet furthest away
B) Lift up the nearest edge of the sheet
C) Form a tent by lifting the edge of the sheet furthest away
D) Remove the sheet completely so that it is out of the way

Question 50

What is the minimum number of towels used to drape clients?

A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four

Question 51

To access the client's abdomen, the towel should be fanfolded from the bottom edge until it is at the level of which body part?

A) Iliac crests
B) Xiphoid process
C) Clavicles
D) Navel