Massage Practical Exam

I.  Practitioner/Client Interaction   (15 points)

A.     Initial interview –screening questions                                     

B.     Communication-set up guidelines for pressure                        

C.     II. Professionalism, hygiene and touch 

             demonstration –(20 points)

A.     Appropriate appearance    (4 points)

1.      cleanliness and grooming                                                

2.      attire                                                                               

3.      nails                                                                                  

4.      jewelry                                                                                     

        B. Self contamination avoided                                                       

        C. Table appearance and maintenance                                             

        D. Appropriate pressure and sensitivity                                          

        E.  Continuing communication regarding pressure                        

         F. Bolstering and draping                                                              

III. Massage demonstration  (15 points)

A.     Overall

1. General pressure transition                                                    

2. General rhythm transition                                                      

3. Smoothness of strokes                                                            

a.       continuous contact

b.      contour of body

             4. Organization of strokes                                                            

              5. Oil application                                                                         

a.       amount

b.      dispensing

               6. Awareness of touch                                                                

IV.   Swedish massage strokes(24 points)

A.     Effleurage

1. Variation-light                                                                       

2. Variation –deep                                                                      

          3. Physiological effects                                                             

                4. Contraindications

B.     Petrissage

1.      Variation-light

2.      Variation-deep

3.      Physiological Effects

4.      Contraindications

C.     Friction

1.      Variation- light

2.      Variation-deep

3.      Physiological Effects

4.      Contraindications

D.     Vibration

1.      Variation-fine

2.      Variation-coarse

3.      Physiological Effects

4.      Contraindications

E.      Tapotement

1.      Variation-light

2.      Variation-deep

3.      Physiological effects’

4.      Contraindications

IV. Triggerpoint work

A.     Static

B.     Stripping

C.     Griner method

V.  Muscle Demonstrations-(3 muscles)

A.     Anatomy

B.     Location

C.     Action

D.     Endangerments

VI.              Endangerment Sites/Structures

A.     Outline and describe the borders of the  following

1.      Spleen

2.      Stomach

3.      Kidney

B.     Pick one of the following sites and describe the borders of the area and name 3 structures that require caution as you work

1.      Anterior or posterior triangle of the neck

2.      Axillary region

3.      Femoral triangle

4.      Popliteal

VII.            Treatments of specific pathological conditions

A.     Pick two of the following and answer the following questions regarding these conditions:  Supraspinatous tendonitis, torticollis, runner’s knee(IT band tendinitous) piriformis syndrome, shin splints, thoracic outlet syndrome.

1.      What structures are involved

2.      Explain a treatment plan

B.     Explain how you would treat

1.      Chronic spasms

2.      Hypertonicity

3.      Cramps