Find care near me Key Points
- Diathermy treatment uses high-frequency electric currents to generate heat in the body, aiding in pain relief and healing for various health conditions.
- The treatment is particularly beneficial for musculoskeletal injuries and chronic health conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and kidney disease.
- There are three main types of diathermy: shortwave, microwave, and ultrasound, each with unique benefits and applications.
- However, diathermy is not recommended for certain patients, including those with certain medical conditions, implanted or metal devices, pregnant women, and growing children.
- Following diathermy, patients often experience less pain and improved flexibility, although continued physical therapy or other treatments may be necessary.
2 Reasons Why Would You Need a Diathermy Treatment
1. Injuries
Diathermy can help provide pain relief after musculoskeletal injury.[1] Common causes of musculoskeletal injury include automobile accidents or sports injuries. If you suffer a severe injury, diathermy can help increase blood flow to the injured area. Improved blood flow may speed up the healing process. Sprains, strains, and muscle spasms often heal faster after diathermy.[1]
2. Chronic health conditions
Diathermy is also used to treat many chronic health conditions, including:[1]
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuralgia
- Autoimmune disease
- Inflammatory disease
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Kidney disease
Diathermy can help relieve pain caused by these chronic conditions. It may also help reduce inflammation and decrease fluid retention. There is some evidence that diathermy can also make connective tissues more flexible.[1] If your illness causes ongoing damage to your body, diathermy may even slow down the disease's progression.
Understanding Diathermy
Diathermy uses high-frequency electric currents to generate heat within your body. This heat can help increase blood flow, relieve pain, and promote healing.
There are three main types of diathermy:
- Shortwave diathermy, which helps treat chronic pain and muscle spasms. To do so, it is applied in short pulses or continuous waves. Your doctor may suggest shortwave diathermy if you have muscle strains or sprains. Shortwave diathermy can also help with bursitis, kidney stones, or pelvic inflammatory disease.[1]
- Microwave diathermy, which warms the tissues beneath your skin without heating the skin's surface. This type of diathermy can't penetrate into deep muscles or organ tissue, but it can relieve pain and encourage healing in muscles that are closer to the surface.[1]
- Ultrasound diathermy, which treats deep tissues and muscles. This treatment uses sound waves to trigger vibrations that generate heat. Ultrasound diathermy may promote blood flow and treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It can also address some joint issues.[1]
Diathermy is often used as part of a broader treatment strategy. Your doctor may suggest using diathermy alongside physical therapy or other rehabilitative treatments. Diathermy can make these treatments more effective. Using multiple methods of treatment may help your body heal faster after an injury.
Risks of Diathermy
Diathermy isn't always safe for patients with implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers.[1] Diathermy can sometimes interfere with the function of these devices.
People with metal devices in their body should not receive diathermy in those areas. These metal devices can include bone pins, dental fillings, IUDs, or metal sutures.[1] Diathermy stimulates heat around these areas and may cause burns or shocks.
Diathermy can also be dangerous if you have vascular disease or a bleeding disorder. People who have serious infections, broken bones, or cancer should also avoid diathermy.[1] Most pregnant women and growing children should not receive diathermy. Your OB/GYN or pediatrician can provide more information about possible risks.
Diathermy treatments should avoid the eyes, brain, heart, spinal cord, or reproductive organs.[1] For safety, most diathermy treatments are restricted to muscle tissues.
What to Expect with Diathermy
Before undergoing diathermy, your doctor or nurse will have you remove any clothing or accessories that contain metal. This includes all jewelry, piercings, and clothing with zippers or metal buttons.[1] In some cases, your medical provider may ask you to remove all your clothes. You may receive a gown or goggles to wear during your treatment.
Depending on which area of your body is being targeted, you might sit on a chair or lie down on a table. Your provider might also attach electrodes to the affected area.[2] If you're undergoing ultrasound diathermy, your provider will apply a special gel to your skin. Electrodes are not used during ultrasound diathermy. Instead, your provider moves an ultrasound wand over the affected area.[1]
Some people report feeling a sensation of warmth or tingling during treatment. Treatment should not be painful.[2] If you feel any discomfort, notify your provider immediately.
After treatment, most people experience less pain and improved flexibility, but you may need to continue physical therapy or other treatments to help your body heal. Ask your doctor what kind of follow-up care you will need after diathermy.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Diathermy
- What type of diathermy do you recommend?
- Where will I receive my treatment?
- Who will administer my treatment?
- Will I need to remove my clothing?
- Will my implanted medical devices or piercings present a problem?
- What can I expect after diathermy? What side effects might I experience?
- Will I need to undergo physical therapy or other follow-up treatments?
Frequently asked questions
What is diathermy treatment and how does it work?
Diathermy treatment is a therapeutic method that uses high-frequency electric currents to generate heat within the body. This heat promotes increased blood flow, pain relief, and healing.What conditions can diathermy treatment help with?
Diathermy treatment can help with musculoskeletal injuries and chronic health conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and kidney disease.Are there different types of diathermy treatment?
Yes, there are three main types of diathermy: shortwave, microwave, and ultrasound. Each type has its own unique benefits and applications.Is diathermy treatment safe for everyone?
No, diathermy treatment is not safe for everyone. It's not recommended for people with implanted medical devices, metal devices in their body, vascular disease, bleeding disorders, serious infections, broken bones, or cancer. It's also not advised for pregnant women and growing children.What should I expect during diathermy treatment?
During diathermy treatment, you should not feel pain, but you might experience a sensation of warmth or tingling.What are the post-treatment effects of diathermy?
After diathermy treatment, patients often report less pain and improved flexibility. However, continued physical therapy or other treatments may still be necessary.Do I need to prepare anything before undergoing diathermy treatment?
Yes, before undergoing diathermy treatment, you are required to remove any clothing or accessories that contain metal.Can diathermy treatment replace physical therapy or other treatments?
No, diathermy treatment is often used in conjunction with other treatments like physical therapy. It aids in pain relief and healing, but other treatments may still be necessary.
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