Which is an example of conduction in heat therapy?

• A. Whirlpool
• B. Paraffin
• C. Fluidotherapy
• D. Cold whirlpool

Answer: (B)

Conduction is heat transfer that occurs through direct contact between a warmer surface and a cooler one, with no bulk movement of the surrounding medium. In a paraffin bath, the hand or limb is in direct contact with molten paraffin wax that is hotter than the skin, so heat flows from the wax into the tissue by conduction.

The other options transfer heat mainly through movement of the surrounding medium. A whirlpool uses circulating water, so convection drives heat transfer as the moving water carries warmth to the body. Fluidotherapy uses a stream of moving particles, again relying on convection for heat exchange. Cold whirlpool isn’t heating therapy at all, so it isn’t an example of conduction in heat therapy.