Thermotherapy is indicated in which stage of injury?

• A. Subacute/Chronic
• B. Immediate Acute
• C. Post-Operative Only
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Heat therapy is most appropriate during the subacute to chronic stage of an injury. By raising tissue temperature, heat promotes vasodilation, increased blood flow, and greater tissue elasticity, which helps with pain relief, muscle relaxation, and ROM as healing moves beyond the initial inflammation. In the immediate acute stage, however, applying heat can worsen swelling and inflammation, so cold therapy is typically used first to control swelling and pain. Post-operative cases may use heat later in the recovery process when tissues have begun to heal, but the stage that best fits thermotherapy is subacute or chronic.