Massage Therapy Licensing Exam – Practice
Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary effect of efleurage in massage therapy?
a) Deep tissue manipulation
b) Increased blood and lymph flow
c) Muscle fiber stretching
d) Nerve desensitization
b) Increased blood and lymph flow
Effeurage involves long, gliding strokes that help improve
circulation and lymphatic return.
2. Which muscle is located in the posterior thigh?
a) Rectus femoris
b) Sartorius
c) Biceps femoris
d) Gastrocnemius
c) Biceps femoris
The biceps femoris is one of the hamstring muscles located on the
back of the thigh.
3. Which body system is most directly affected by lymphatic drainage
massage?
a) Nervous system
, b) Circulatory system
c) Lymphatic system
d) Endocrine system
c) Lymphatic system
This technique specifically supports the movement of lymph and
immune function.
4. What is contraindicated for deep tissue massage?
a) Muscle tension
b) Sprain or strain in acute phase
c) Postural imbalance
d) Trigger points
b) Sprain or strain in acute phase
Deep pressure could worsen inflammation or tissue damage
during the acute phase.
5. Which of the following is a primary function of the skin?
a) Hormone production
b) Temperature regulation
c) Gas exchange
d) Protein synthesis
b) Temperature regulation
The skin helps maintain body temperature through sweating and
vasodilation.
6. The deltoid muscle is responsible for:
a) Elbow extension
b) Shoulder abduction
c) Shoulder adduction
d) Neck rotation
, b) Shoulder abduction
The deltoid lifts the arm away from the body at the shoulder joint.
7. What is the best definition of palpation?
a) The study of body systems
b) The assessment of tissues by touch
c) The use of electrical stimulation
d) The measurement of muscle strength
b) The assessment of tissues by touch
Palpation allows a therapist to assess texture, tone, and
temperature.
8. Which massage stroke is most often used to begin and end a
session?
a) Tapotement
b) Petrissage
c) Efleurage
d) Friction
c) Effleurage
Effeurage relaxes the client and transitions between techniques.
9. A client reports bruising easily. Which body system might be
compromised?
a) Nervous
b) Integumentary
c) Circulatory
d) Muscular
c) Circulatory
Bruising indicates fragile capillaries or platelet issues affecting
circulation.
Test Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary effect of efleurage in massage therapy?
a) Deep tissue manipulation
b) Increased blood and lymph flow
c) Muscle fiber stretching
d) Nerve desensitization
b) Increased blood and lymph flow
Effeurage involves long, gliding strokes that help improve
circulation and lymphatic return.
2. Which muscle is located in the posterior thigh?
a) Rectus femoris
b) Sartorius
c) Biceps femoris
d) Gastrocnemius
c) Biceps femoris
The biceps femoris is one of the hamstring muscles located on the
back of the thigh.
3. Which body system is most directly affected by lymphatic drainage
massage?
a) Nervous system
, b) Circulatory system
c) Lymphatic system
d) Endocrine system
c) Lymphatic system
This technique specifically supports the movement of lymph and
immune function.
4. What is contraindicated for deep tissue massage?
a) Muscle tension
b) Sprain or strain in acute phase
c) Postural imbalance
d) Trigger points
b) Sprain or strain in acute phase
Deep pressure could worsen inflammation or tissue damage
during the acute phase.
5. Which of the following is a primary function of the skin?
a) Hormone production
b) Temperature regulation
c) Gas exchange
d) Protein synthesis
b) Temperature regulation
The skin helps maintain body temperature through sweating and
vasodilation.
6. The deltoid muscle is responsible for:
a) Elbow extension
b) Shoulder abduction
c) Shoulder adduction
d) Neck rotation
, b) Shoulder abduction
The deltoid lifts the arm away from the body at the shoulder joint.
7. What is the best definition of palpation?
a) The study of body systems
b) The assessment of tissues by touch
c) The use of electrical stimulation
d) The measurement of muscle strength
b) The assessment of tissues by touch
Palpation allows a therapist to assess texture, tone, and
temperature.
8. Which massage stroke is most often used to begin and end a
session?
a) Tapotement
b) Petrissage
c) Efleurage
d) Friction
c) Effleurage
Effeurage relaxes the client and transitions between techniques.
9. A client reports bruising easily. Which body system might be
compromised?
a) Nervous
b) Integumentary
c) Circulatory
d) Muscular
c) Circulatory
Bruising indicates fragile capillaries or platelet issues affecting
circulation.
