The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of

all possible frequencies of electromagnetic

radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is composed of

electrical and magnetic fields that vary over
time and are perpendicular to each other

Electromagnetic radiation is categorized

according to its frequency and wavelength,
which are inversely proportional to each
other

It includes

Extremely low frequency (ELF) waves,

Shortwaves,
Microwaves
Infrared (lR) radiation,
Visible light, and
Ultraviolet A and B
X-rays and
Gamma rays

Definition
Diathermy is the application of high frequency
electromagnetic energy that is primarily used to
generate heat in body tissues.

Frequency and Wavelength

Within the radiofrequency range 3 kHz to 300 Mhz
Wavelengths of 1 m to 100 km
For therapeutic purpose
The 27.12 MHz band is used for SWD device

Types of Shortwave Diathermy

Capacitive Field
Induction Field

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Capacitive Field Diathermy

Uses the patients tissues as a part of the circuit

The tissues electrical resistance produces heat
Selectively heats skin
Muscle is heated via conduction from the
adipose
Also referred to as condenser field diathermy

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Create Stronger Electrical

Field Than Magnetic Field

Electrical Field Is The Lines of

Force Exerted on Charged
Ions That Cause Movement
From One Pole To Another

Center Has Higher Current

Density Than Periphery

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Patient Is Between Electrodes and Becomes

Part of Circuit
Tissue Is Between Electrodes in a Series Circuit
Arrangement
The Tissue That Offers The Greatest
Resistance To Current Flow Develops The Most
Heat
Fat Tissue Resists Current Flow
Thus Fat Is Heated In An Electrical Field

Precaution:
electrical field may overheat area with large fat
content

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Capacitor Electrodes
Air space plates
Pad electrodes

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Air Space Plates

Air space plates are an example of a

capacitor electrode
Consists of two metal plates with a diameter
of 7.517.5 cm surrounded by a glass or
plastic plate guard
The metal plates may be adjusted
approximately 3 cm within the plate guard,
thus changing the distance from the skin
The area to be treated is placed between the
electrodes and becomes part of the external
circuit
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The sensation of heat tends to be in direct

proportion to the distance of the plate from
the skin
Closer the plate is to the skin, the better the
energy transmission
Less reflection of the energy
SPACING
The closer plate generate more surface heat
in the skin and the subcutaneous fat in that
area
Parts of the body that are low in
subcutaneous fat content (e.g., Hands, feet,
wrists, and ankles)

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Pad Electrodes

True capacitor electrodes,

Must have uniform contact pressure on the
body part
The patient is part of the external circuit
Several layers of towelling are necessary to
make sure that there is sufficient space
between the skin and the pads
The pads should be separated so they are at
least as far apart as the cross-sectional
diameter of the pad

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Closer the spacing of the pads, the higher the

current density in the superficial tissues
Increasing the space between the pads will
increase the depth of penetration in the tissues
The part of the body to be treated should be
centred between the pads

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SIZE OF ELECTRODES

Electrodes should be larger

than the structure being
treated
Structure to be treated lies
in more even central part
of the field

21

If treatment area b/w the electrodes is smaller

than the electrodes, the line of force bend in
towards the limb

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If the diameter of the electrodes is smaller

than that of limb, the line of force spread in
tissues
Causes more heat in superficial tissues

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POSITION OF ELECTRODES
Aimed at directing the electric field through
the structure to be treated
If the structure is of high impedance, position
the electrodes as far as possible
Electrodes should be placed parallel to the
skin, otherwise the field concentrates on area
closer to the electrode

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Both electrodes should be of same size

Different sizes forms capacitor with different
plates
Requires different quantities of electricity for
charging
Puts an uneven load on machine and
difficulties in tuning

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TYPES OF POSITIONING

CONTRAPLANAR
COPLANAR
CROSS-FIRE
MONOPOLAR

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CONTRAPLANAR POSITIONING OF ELECTRODES

Suitable for the treatment of deeply placed
structures
Electrodes are placed over opposite aspects of
the limb
COPLANAR POSITIONING OF ELECTRODES
Electrodes placed side by side on same aspect
Distance between electrodes is more than the
total width of spacing

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Heating is more superficial than with coplanar

method
CROSS FIRE TREATMENT
Half the treatment is given with the electrodes in
one position, then the arrangement is changed so
that the electric field lies at right angles to the
obtained during first part of the treatment.
Mainly used to treat the walls of cavities containing
air e.g. SINUSES

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The line of force pass through the tissues between

the electrodes but avoid the cavity
Thus the walls of cavity which face the electrodes
are not treated

The position of electrodes are changed so that the

field lies at right angles to previous one

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Longitudinal
- plates are placed at each end of
the limb

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MONOPOLAR TECHNIQUE
The active electrode is placed over the site of lesion
and the indifferent electrode is applied to distant or
may not be used
Separate electric field is set up under each electrode
Heating is superficial

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INDUCTION FIELD DIATHERMY

Places the patient in the electromagnetic
field
Selectively heats muscle
Also referred to as:
Magnetic field diathermy

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A coil is housed within a

drum
Current flowing within
the coil produces a
rotating magnetic field
Magnetic field produces
secondary current called
eddy currents in the
tissues
Eddy currents cause
friction that produce heat
Although rare, cables are
sometimes used in place
of drums
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Electric currents cause charged particles in

the tissue to oscillate.
The friction produced by this oscillation
causes an elevation in tissue temperature
Inductive coils can heat both deep and
superficial tissues, but they produce the
Most heat in tissues closest to the applicator
and in tissues with the highest electrical
conductivity.

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Available in two basic forms,

Cables and
Drums
The cables are bundles of plastic-coated wires that
are applied by wrapping them around the patient's
limb

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A drum applicator is made of a flat spiral coil

inside a plastic housing

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TECHNIQUES OF SWD
Testing of machine
Preparation of patient
Selection of electrodes
Position and size of electrodes
Connecting leads
Application of current
Dosage

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INDICATIONS
Promoting injury and wound healing after the acute stage of the injury.
Reducing non-inflammatory muscle pain, and muscle spasms
Reducing Myofascial trigger point pain.
Treating delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Chronic tendonitis
Chronic bursitis
Scars
Soft tissue contracture
Non-Inflammatory joint pain

Limited join mobility, adhesive capsulitis

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis and other inflammatory arthrides (when they are not in the flareup stage)
Muscle relaxation
Muscle guarding
Increased nerve growth and repair

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Implanted or transcutaneous neural stimulator

Diathermy of any sort should not be used in patients with
implanted or transcutaneous neural stimulators because
the electromagnetic energy of the diathermy may interfere
with the functioning of the device
Metal implants or pacemakers
Metal is highly conductive electrically and therefore can
become very hot with the application of diathermy,
leading to potentially hazardous temperature increases in
adjacent tissues
Diathermy should not be used on patients pacemakers
because these devices have metal components
that can become overheated in response the application of
diathermy and
because the electro-magnetic fields produced by diathermy
devices may interfere directly with the performance of
pacemaker
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Pregnancy
contraindicated due to concerns regarding both the
effects of deep heat and the effects of electromagnetic
fields on fetal development
Maternal hyperthermia has been shown to increase the
risk of abnormal fetal development
Eyes
The eyes should not be treated with diathermy
because increasing the temperature of intraocular
fluid may damage the internal structures of the
eyes
Testes
risk of adversely affecting fertility by increasing local
tissue temperature
Growing epiphyses
diathermy may alter the rate of epiphyseal closure
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Acute traumatic musculoskeletal injuries

Acute inflammatory conditions
Areas with ischemia
Areas of reduced sensitivity to temperature or pain
Fluid-filled areas or organs
Joint effusion
Synovitis
Eyes
Contact lenses
Moist wound dressings
Malignancies
Pelvic area during menstruation
Testes
Pregnancy
Epiphyseal plates in adolescents
Metal implants
Unshielded cardiac pacemakers
Intrauterine devices
Watches or jewelry
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PRECAUTIONS
Electronic or magnetic equipment in the vicinity
the treatment field may interfere with any electronic or
magnetic equipment such as computers or computercontrolled medical device
the leads and applicators of diathermy devices be at
least 3 m, and preferably 5 m
Obesity
it may heat fat excessively
Copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices
copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices do
contain a sma1l amount of metal
these devices and the surrounding tissue increase only
slightly in temperature when exposed to therapeutic
levels of diathermy
Therefore diathermy may be used by both therapists
and patients with such device
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