College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which application types have a thermal effect on the skin?

1. Cold/Heat applications

2. Massage oils

3. Electrotherapy

4. Ultrasound

The correct answer is: Cold/Heat applications

The application types that have a thermal effect on the skin are cold and heat applications. These modalities directly influence the temperature of the tissues, leading to physiological changes. Heat applications, such as heating pads or hot packs, elevate tissue temperature, which can enhance blood flow, decrease muscle stiffness, and promote tissue relaxation. Cold applications, including ice packs or cold compresses, do the opposite by reducing tissue temperature, which can numb pain, decrease inflammation, and control bleeding. Other options like massage oils do not primarily create a thermal effect on the skin; rather, they facilitate the movement of the therapist's hands on the skin surface and may provide some moisturization. Electrotherapy provides electrical stimulation to tissues, generally for pain relief or muscle activation, but it does not primarily function through thermal effects on the skin. Ultrasound involves the use of sound waves to heat tissues at a deeper level but does not have a direct thermal effect on the skin's surface as cold and heat applications do. In summary, cold and heat applications are unique in their ability to produce direct thermal changes, which can significantly influence treatment outcomes in therapeutic settings.