MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination Questions and Answers

Scapulohumeral rhythm exposes the function of the glenohumeral joint by testing at which degree the scapula activates during an initial abduction of the arm. At 45 degrees, the scapula should engage until the end range motion of abduction.

The cell is the basic building block of all living things. Cells are organized into tissues having specialized properties and functions. Tissues are further organized into organs (and organ systems).

The “molecular unit of currency” is often used to describe the importance of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to cellular functions within the body.

The plasma membrane is made of two layers of fat molecules that contain phosphorus and is also known as the phospholipid bilayer.

Coming down with a cold directly affects the client within the therapeutic environment. The other three choices are irrelevant to a client.

The A is for assessment, which is a summary of our findings.

Before starting treatment with a client, a massage therapist must first understand what the nature of the client’s complaint is, whether the condition is indicated or contraindicated or if a referral is necessary. Once the therapy session is complete, an assessment is necessary to determine the benefit of the treatment to the client.

Form 1040ES is required for estimated tax liability especially if you expect to owe at least $1,000.00 in tax for the year. You are required to make estimated tax payments to avoid federal penalties. The practice of paying your quarterly estimated tax reduces the burden of paying a large sum all at once.

Nervousness, a racing heart, trembling hands and anxiety are all common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an overproduction of thyroid hormones which speed up chemical processes and metabolism within the body. The other answers are symptoms of hypothyroidism.

A visual assessment can be a powerful tool in determining a client’s muscular and structural symmetry and deviation. The findings of the assessment help the massage therapist create effective treatment plans.

The time to collect information about a physical complaint or injury is during the intake process.

Elements are pure substances that are composed of a single type of atom. The fourth element missing from this statement is nitrogen, which is a key component of the amino acid chains that comprise proteins. Nitrogen is also found in the DNA and RNA of our gene codes.

Lateral epicondylitis is the technical term for tennis elbow.

The suffix -crine refers to secretions. Endocrine gland is an example of the suffix -crine, which means an internal gland that secretes.

Olfaction is the sense of smell. Special sensory cells in the nasal cavity called olfactory sensors are designed to transmit the sense of smell via the detection of odor molecules.

Using your hands to assess the condition of a client is a palpation assessment.

In almost all situations, the massage therapist needs to retain a strict confidentiality of the client’s information. However, there are certain exceptions, such as when the massage therapist feels in personal danger, when there are suspicions of a client abusing a child and whenever required by law.

Boundaries are integral to maintaining a healthy physical and emotional space within the therapeutic relationship.

FSH or follicle stimulating hormone, produced by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland regulates the reproductive processes of the body, including development, growth and maturation.

The brachial artery continues from the axillary artery and runs between the triceps and biceps brachii. The pulse of the brachial artery can be palpated between these muscles on the anterior side of the arm.

Tantra is a Sanskrit word meaning expanding liberation and has a place amongst certain spiritual practices. However, tantric massage is often associated with massage that focuses on various levels of “sexual healing“ and, therefore, an establishment seeking a tantric massage practitioner is outside the code of ethics of the massage profession.

Metabolism is the process of chemical transformations within the body. These transformations can be caused by means of a physical stimulus or messages from the CNS. Massage therapy can provide both a mechanical and reflexive influence upon metabolism and this creates metabolic effect upon the body.

Any client who routinely requests to explore beyond the professional environment is testing the boundaries and professionalism of the therapist. Remember, the therapist is always at fault for allowing a breach of professional boundaries. The repercussions can lead to a hefty fine and/or loss of a massage license.

Auscultation is the Latin term for listening. Many health professionals use a stethoscope to apply the highly developed skill of auscultation to assess the heart, lungs and digestive system of their patients.

During a postural assessment evaluation, it is important to note both intrinsic and extrinsic factors for postural deviations. An intrinsic factor would be an internal issue and therefore includes physical abnormalities as a shortened leg. ; An improperly fitted shoe would be an example of an extrinsic factor upon the body.

The tibial nerve is a distal branch of the sciatic nerve which passes through the popliteal fossa where it divides into the medial and lateral plantar nerves.

Pulmonary circulation transfers blood from the heart to the lungs and then back to the heart for systemic circulation which distributes blood, nutrients and gases throughout the body.

Tennis elbow affects the extensor muscles of the forearm and is attributed to the tearing of flexor muscles during impact of a back hand swing.

Guyon’s canal syndrome is a compression of the ulnar nerve between the hook of the hamate and the pisiform bones located in the palm of the hand.

The mesencephalon is also known as the midbrain, and is associated with arousal, hearing, motor control, vision, sleeping patterns and more.

The brain stem which provides the sensory and motor innervations of the face and neck consists of three parts: the medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain.

The splenius capitis muscle originates along the lower half of the nuchal ligament, spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebrae and the upper third or fourth thoracic vertebrae which insert into the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The action of the splenius capitis is to extend the neck posteriorly as well as assisting with lateral rotation and lateral flexion of the cervical spine.

Costoclavicular test is often used to determine a brachial plexus compression syndrome. The costoclavicular test is also known as the military position test since the client rotates shoulders back and thrusts chest forward much like standing at attention. The practitioner feels for changes in the radial pulse to indicate a compression syndrome.

A Podiatrist is a doctor devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect the foot, ankle and lower leg. Practitioners of podiatry may focus on varying specialties within the field including primary care, orthopedics, biomechanics, pediatrics, geriatrics, sports medicine and surgery. Having an understanding of the different branches of medical providers will increase your effectiveness with your clients and allow for a better network of practitioners.

The cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain and plays a key role in awareness, communication, consciousness and memory.

The linea aspera is comprised of three raised ridges along the posterior aspect of the femur. These ridges include a lateral, intermediate and medial and are caused by the insertion of muscles along each line.

Thrombocytes or platelets, are essential to blood clotting. Thrombocytes create platelet plugs by releasing prothrombin at an injury site that bonds with calcium to form a clot.

A pathogenic barrier is also known as a resistive barrier, which is the first sign of resistance against a movement during a range of motion assessment.

Lordosis is a condition of the lumbar spine which causes and anteriorly rotated pelvis. The anterior rotation causes the hip flexors to tighten which includes a shortening of the psoas muscle.

The Adson maneuver is used to determine a thoracic outlet compression. To conduct the Adson maneuver, a massage therapist places the clients arm into horizontal abduction on the affected side to a 45 degree angle while rotating their head toward the affected side. The massage therapist then instructs the client to extend their head which tightens the scalene muscles, which should magnify any preexisting compression of the subclavian artery and brachial plexus. The massage therapist palpates for a decrease in the radial pulse while the client takes deep breathes to exaggerate the compression.

A condyle is a large rounded area on a bone, usually at a joint articulation. A trochanter is a large projection from a bone. A spine or spinous process is a flat ridge-like flange protruding from a bone, typically a vertebra.

Whole hand nerve sensations with arm discoloration indicate compression at the thoracic outlet.

Hacking, tapping and pounding are techniques of tapotement.

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body. Arterioles are the connecting vessels between arteries and capillaries. Venules are the connecting vessels between capillaries and veins.

Neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages are all phagocytes, which are cells of the immune system that ingest and destroy foreign cells or other harmful substances via phagocytosis.

When the body is exposed to prolonged heat, more blood is shunted to superficial veins in order to lower body temperature. This results in decreased venous return to the heart. The resulting lowered cardiac output causes less oxygenated blood to reach the brain, causing dizziness and fainting.

A nerve impulse is also known as an action potential, which is an electrical current that runs along a nerve pathway that can trigger a response in other cells.

Licensure is handled by state massage boards that determine the minimum educational requirements and certifications needed for qualification. A massage therapist who is interested in licensure in a state that regulates massage should first contact the state massage board for regulation requirements.

Speaking about a client to another client, a client’s friend, or even the client’s family member is a violation of confidentiality. However, we do not need to be rude to maintain our professionalism. Simply suggesting that your client speak to his wife is a perfectly acceptable response.

A postural assessment can be performed while the client is standing to observe how they hold themselves upright in relation to gravitational forces or while laying down in a supine/prone position to determine any asymmetries.

Carbohydrate digestions occurs mainly in the small intestine where the pancreatic digestive enzyme amylase converts starches into maltose which is then converted to glucose by the enzyme maltase. Sucrase converts sucrose to glucose and lactase converts lactose to glucose in the small intestine as well.

An empty end feel is a case where the therapist cannot determine the true range of motion due to the client contracting their muscles (also known as muscle guarding) to prevent movement. This is typically due to an injury and is recommended to refer the client to seek medical attention.

The talus is also known as the ankle bone to which the tibia and fibula connect. The other bone of the hindfoot region is the calcaneus also known as the heel.

Lactic acid buildup occurs when the demand for energy exceeds the tissues ability to process the metabolic waste. Sprinting is the only activity mentioned that can create this scenario.

The temporalis muscle has one action and that is to clench the jaw during mastication. The best way to locate and palpate the temporalis muscle is to instruct the client to clench and release their jaw while the therapist feels for the origin and insertion of muscle fibers along the temporal bone.

The shoulder joint is comprised of the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus. This juncture is called the glenohumeral joint.

Despite their name, the lumbricals are located in the hands and feet and assist with movement of the phalanges in both locations.

The infraglenoid tubercle is the attachment site of the long head of the triceps brachii and is located at the most superior aspect of the lateral border of the scapula.

Nerves that send messages to the central nervous system (CNS) are called afferent nerves. Sensory receptors are examples of afferent nerves. The nerves that send messages from the CNS to the body are called efferent nerves. Somatic nerves are an example of efferent nerves.

Muscle flaccidity pertains to the weakness of a muscle.

The median nerve passes through the flexor retinaculum of the hand.

When a client asks about the private matters of a common client/friend, they are trying to fill a gap that a massage therapist, as a professional, should not fill. The massage therapist may think the client making the request for information will respect the therapist for divulging privileged information but they will ultimately grow to distrust the therapist’s adherence to client confidentiality. The best answer is one that puts the focus back on them.

The Arndt-Schultz Law states that a weak stimulus will have no effect on a physiological process, that an intermediate stimulus will promote a physiological process whereas a strong stimulus will inhibit a physiological process.

The brachial plexus is a nerve bundle that supplies the arm and hand. The root of the nerve innervates the scalene muscles where a hypertonicity can compress the nerve plexus as well as the subclavian artery and vein.

TART is an acronym for a soft tissue assessment protocol. T- Texture and tonicity of superficial and deep layers of tissue. A - Asymmetry and bilateral differences between body structures in reference to color, function, temperature and tonicity. R - Range of motion. An assessment of joint health and function. T - Tenderness or pain and discomfort in an area or specific tissues.

Muscle tone relates to a continuous muscle contraction that resists stretching or elongation during a resting state. In other words, muscle tone describes a muscle that is unable to relax.

An eccentric extension of the neck requires the flexors to fire during contraction, causing the extensor muscle levator scapulae to relax.

When a client performs an unassisted movement of their body, they are displaying an active ROM. This is used to determine the client’s natural range of motion.

The ulnar nerve runs along the ulna and into the pinky finger and medial half of the ring finger.

There are laws, rules and regulations against developing a sexual relationship with a client. If a sexual relationship existed prior to the client/therapist relationship, then continued sexual interaction is allowable. A typically safe amount of time to wait is 6 months after the client/therapist relationship has been dissolved (documented and signed by both parties) before pursuing a romantic interaction. However, the best path to preserving your career and avoiding a possible investigation is to never engage a client or previous client in any relations outside of a therapeutic environment.

The extensor carpi ulnaris acts to both extend and adduct the wrist.