Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

Palpation can assess tissue in terms of which characteristics?

1. Textures, blood pressure and strength.

2. Rhythms, textures and temperature.

3. Elasticity, dehydration and excitability.

4. Contractility, sensitivity and end feel.

The correct answer is: Rhythms, textures and temperature.

The correct answer identifies that palpation can assess tissue with respect to rhythms, textures, and temperature. When performing palpation, muscles and fascia can reveal their textures, which reflect their state of tension or relaxation. Understanding the texture of the tissue helps a practitioner determine whether it is tight, relaxed, or in spasm. Temperature is crucial in palpation as well; varying temperatures can indicate inflammation or circulatory issues. Assessing the rhythm can refer to the natural movement patterns of tissues, such as the leanness of an area or the presence of fluid movement, which might suggest underlying conditions. The other options incorporate characteristics that may not be as directly assessable through palpation. For example, blood pressure is not typically assessed through palpation of tissues but rather through sphygmomanometers or other devices. Similarly, while elasticity can be felt in certain contexts, the other terms like contractility or excitability are more relevant to muscle physiology rather than direct palpation assessments.