Which statement about thermotherapy is true?

• A. Raises tissue temperature and increases physiologic activity
• B. Lowers tissue temperature
• C. Increases pain
• D. Reduces blood flow

Answer: (A)

Thermotherapy raises tissue temperature, which speeds up metabolic activity and triggers vasodilation. This increase in heat boosts blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients while helping remove waste products. Warmer tissue also becomes more extensible, so collagen fibers loosen and joint ROM can improve. Relaxation of surrounding muscles and reduced guarding often help lessen pain. So the true statement is that thermotherapy raises tissue temperature and increases physiologic activity. The other options describe effects that don’t align with heat: cooling would lower tissue temperature, heat can reduce pain rather than increase it, and heating increases blood flow rather than reducing it.