The national exams (NCETMB and NCETM) have six common areas of competency addressed in the first six chapters of this book. The NCETMB has a seventh area —Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities—covered in Chapter 7. The MBLEx has eight areas that are also covered in this book (client assessment and treatment plans, benefits and effects of techniques, pathology with contraindications and cautions, massage history, ethics- boundaries- laws and regulations, guidelines for professional practice, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology). The uniqueness of this book is that it not only reviews each area thoroughly, but it also tests the students’ knowledge with end of the chapter questions and answers. Another unique factor is that each question comes with an explanation for yet another method of studying. The seven chapters are summarized here:

Chapter 1 General Knowledge of Body Systems provides a thorough review of each of eleven body systems. This provides the basis for future chapters in this workbook and ensures a basic understanding of the human body.

Chapter 2 Detailed Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology goes further into depth of the workings of the body, movement terminology, muscle contractions, and biomechanics. A list of muscle origins/insertions/actions is also included. Nutrition is introduced in this section.

Chapter 3 Pathology provides a more in-depth coverage of medical terminology, disease pathology, and its affect and involvement with massage therapy. Indications and contraindications are covered in the section as well as the healing process, and psychological stress, abuse, and approaches by other health care professionals. Pharmacology (prescription, recreational drugs, and herbs) is also covered in this section.

Chapter 4 Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Assessment reviews endangerment sites, ergonomic factors, and the effects of gravity on the body.

Chapter 5 Therapeutic Massage Applications reviews the physiological, emotional, and psychological effects of massage. Methods and techniques of massage are also covered (draping, stress management techniques, and other holistic techniques) as well as massage techniques and strokes. Also covered are standard precautions, CPR, and basic first aid and safety.

Chapter 6 Professional Standards, Ethics, Business, and Legal Practices reviews the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and other professional considerations when operating your practice.

Chapter 7 Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities is only on two of the three exams: the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworkers exam (NETMB) and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing exam (MBLEx). It covers meridians, chakras, pathologies, and their relationship to Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities, the physiology of meridians and channels, and basic Traditional Chinese Medicine Modality assessments. Each chapter ends with questions, answers, and rationales for the section covered. Mnemonic devices, practical relationships, memory helpers, and At-A-Glance features are also helpful in students’ comprehension of the material.