Moderate thermal heating should be used for which condition?

• A. Chronic inflammation
• B. Bone fracture
• C. Acute infection
• D. Skin irritation

Answer: (A)

Moderate heating is used to raise tissue temperature enough to improve blood flow, relax muscles, and increase tissue extensibility over areas with long-standing, ongoing inflammation. In chronic inflammation, these effects help reduce stiffness and pain and support healing when the inflammatory process is not in its immediate, acute phase. Heat in acute situations—like a recent infection or a new injury—can amplify swelling and the inflammatory response, so it’s avoided there. For a bone fracture, heat is typically not used in the acute phase because increased blood flow and metabolic activity can worsen edema around the fracture site and potentially delay healing; once the tissue has moved past the acute stage, heat may be considered with caution. Skin irritation tends to worsen with heat, so it’s not appropriate there either.