Chapter 43 Diathermy
OVERVIEW.
Diathermy (or “through heating”) employs physical agents that convert high-frequency electric current or electromagnetic waves to deep heat to promote healing.1–3 Heat is generated in tissue by its resistance to the passage of the high-frequency EM energy.4 Shortwave diathermy converts non-ionizing radiation (radio waves) between 10 and 100 MHz, with a commonly used frequency at 2712 MHz, to deep-heat tissue. Microwave diathermy uses non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation between 300 and 300,000 MHz with a commonly used frequency of 2450 MHz.1–3 Note: Sound waves may also be considered a form of diathermy but are discussed elsewhere (see Therapeutic ultrasound).
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS
D50-D89 DISEASES OF BLOOD AND BLOOD-FORMING ORGANS, AND CERTAIN DISORDERS
E00-E90 ENDOCRINE, NUTRITIONAL, AND METABOLIC DISEASES
F00-F99 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
G00-99 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
I00-I99 DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
L00-L99 DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE
M00-M99 DISEASES OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE
N00-N99 DISEASES OF THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
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