Which mode is used to achieve heating in subacute conditions?

• A. Continuous heat
• B. Pulsed nonthermal
• C. Pulsed heat
• D. Continuous nonthermal

Answer: (A)

In subacute healing, you want a heating mode that creates a stable rise in tissue temperature to promote blood flow, metabolic activity, and tissue extensibility without causing overheating. Continuous heat provides a sustained temperature increase over the treatment period, which is needed to achieve those therapeutic heating effects.

Pulsed nonthermal modalities avoid a sustained temperature rise, so they’re used when you want nonthermal effects rather than heating. Pulsed heat delivers intermittent warmth, which may not reach or maintain the necessary therapeutic temperature. Continuous nonthermal modes don’t heat at all, so they can’t achieve the heating goals in the subacute stage.

Therefore, continuous heat is the mode used to achieve heating in subacute conditions.