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Diathermy

Heat speeds up healing by increasing blood flow to the injury. It may be used after cold treatments when inflammation and swelling are gone. Diathermy is a deep tissue heat treatment. The temperature of the injured tissues is raised by high frequency current, ultrasonic waves, or microwave radiation. Like surface heating, deep heat is used to:

• Reduce pain
• Relieve muscle spasm
• Decrease soft-tissue contractures
• Resolve inflammation
• Promote healing.

Deep heat may be used to treat chronic arthritis, bursitis, fractures, gynecologic diseases, and other problems. Electromagnetic heat (shortwave and microwave) sends heat up to two inches into the tissues and muscles. It works best for injuries in joints, muscles, and tendons. These are sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, and osteoarthritis.

Electromagnetic heat should not be used over any areas that are wet or filled with fluid or metal objects. The risk for burning is too great. These include:

• Eyes
• A pregnant uterus
• Blisters
• Moist skin or clothing
• Perspiration
• Wound dressings
• Intrauterine device
• Pacemakers