How does a microwave diathermy work?

Microwave diathermy uses electromagnetic radiation by microwaves and heats to a lesser tissue depth than short-wave diathermy. It is primarily used to heat superficial muscles and joints such as the shoulder.

What is an indication for microwave diathermy?

The common indications for microwave therapy include soft tissue lesions of traumatic origin, degenerative or chronic arthropathy and some localized infections3.

What are the therapeutic uses of microwave diathermy?

Microwave diathermy uses microwaves to generate heat in the body. It can be used to evenly warm deep tissues without heating the skin. Since it can’t penetrate deep muscles, it’s best suited for areas that are closer to the skin, such as the shoulders.

What is the difference between shortwave and microwave diathermy?

Microwave diathermy, seldom used in the United States, uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves (2450 MHz; wavelength of 11 m) to heat tissues. Short- wave diathermy uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves that are similar to radio waves (10–100 MHz) to heat deep tissues.

What are the side effects of diathermy?

Diathermy electromagnetic fields may induce currents that cause excessive heating of metal devices in the body, e.g., bone pins, implanted electrodes, dental fillings and metal sutures, producing burns in the adjacent tissues \1\.

What are the physiological effects of microwave diathermy?

Low and Reed (1990) list the physiological effects caused by the increase in temperature produced by the microwave diathermy as raised metabolic rate, increased blood flow, decreased tissue and blood viscosity, increased extensibility of collagen and effects on nerves leading to pain relief.

Can diathermy cause side effects?

The patient, surgeon and the theatre staff are frequently exposed to hazards such as burns injury, electrocution, hypoxic stress, inhalation of diathermy plume, and gene mutation.

What type of patients do you think would benefit from using a diathermy?

It has been used to treat pain from kidney stones, and pelvic inflammatory disease. It’s commonly used for conditions that cause pain and muscle spasms.” This safe, effective, and natural form of treatment produces heat deep inside the body’s tissues. It can penetrate as far as two inches deep below the skin’s surface.

How Much Does a diathermy treatment cost?

Diathermy units are not inexpensive by any means but generally cost under $10,000. Cost effectiveness will vary based on a number of factors, not the least of which will be practice type.

How long does diathermy usually last?

Treatments usually last between five and 10 minutes.

What is microwave heat therapy?

Microwave thermotherapy is a type of treatment in which body tissue is heated by microwave irradiation to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and certain anticancer drugs.

Why is short wave diathermy banned?

Leakage of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from short-wave radiofrequency physiotherapeutic diathermies (SWDs) may cause health and safety hazards affecting unintentionally exposed workers (W) or general public (GP) members (assisting patient exposed during treatment or presenting there for other reasons).

What are the dangers of diathermy?

Diathermy emissions can contain numerous toxic gases, particles and vapours and are usually invisible to the naked eye. Their inhalation can adversely affect surgeons’ and theatre staff’s respiratory system.

What are the risks of diathermy?

Results: The role of diathermy in surgical practice has expanded beyond imagination in recent years. The patient, surgeon and the theatre staff are frequently exposed to hazards such as burns injury, electrocution, hypoxic stress, inhalation of diathermy plume, and gene mutation.

Is it OK to sleep with a heating pad on your back?

Falling asleep while using a heating pad should always be avoided. Whether it’s heat or ice, for that matter, there is no need to fall asleep with either on the skin as both can cause severe and disfiguring burns.

Can microwave wraps help with pain relief?

Microwave wraps also provide a ‘moist heat,’ which is different than what you get when using an electric heating pad. Moist heat is often recommended by doctors for pain caused by injuries because it can get deeper into muscles to help with pain relief than other types of heating pads.

Is short wave diathermy effective for the treatment of chronic low back pain?

The results were compared and student′s ′t′ test was applied to see the level of significance. A significant improvement after treatment (P=0.000) was found. The present study suggests that short wave diathermy is effective for the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.

What are the benefits of a microwave heated neck and shoulder wrap?

Here are just a few ailments that would benefit from the use of a heated neck and shoulder wrap. Using a microwave heated wrap is a simple, safe, and very effective way to help deal with pain, tension, discomfort or injury in the neck and shoulder muscles and joints.

Can microwave diathermy be used along with conventional treatment?

All patients were treated with Microwave diathermy along with conventional treatment. The results were compared and student′s ′t′ test was applied to see the level of significance.