Do you also often experience pain in your back, neck, or knees? Do your muscles feel tight and swollen? Sometimes, there is a special treatment that doctors recommend for this type of pain. This involves applying heat to the layers of tissue beneath our skin to reduce pain. Today, we are talking about one such treatment, called 'Diathermy.'
What is diathermy in simple terms?
Simply put, diathermy is a "deep heat treatment." This means that it is not like applying oil to the surface of the skin, but rather it is applied to deep areas such as muscles and joints, which are located under the skin. This uses electrical currents (radio waves and sound waves).
The main goals of this treatment are:
- Relaxing tight muscles and joints .
- Anti-inflammatory, that is, reducing inflammation and swelling .
- Improving blood circulation to that area.
How do these electrical waves create heat inside the body?
Although this is a bit of a scientific story, let's understand it very simply. Imagine it like a relay race in our school. One child passes the baton to the other child, right? That's how the smallest particles (atoms) in our body exchange things called electrons with each other.
Just like when we run, our bodies heat up, the rapid action of these particles generates heat in those areas. What the diathermy machine does is send electrical waves from the outside and stimulate this process in the relevant area of our body. This does not heat the entire body, it only heats the area being treated.
What are the main types of diathermy treatment?
There are three main types of diathermy therapy, each of which generates heat in different ways.
| Type of treatment | Waves used | A simple explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Short-wave diathermy | Electromagnetic waves (radio waves) | In this, two plates called electrodes are placed on either side of your body to be treated. Radio waves passing through these plates heat the tissue inside. |
| Microwave diathermy | Microwaves | It's like the microwave oven in our kitchen, but this one is designed to be harmless to the body. A lamp-like device is placed close to the skin and directs the waves. |
| Ultrasound diathermy | Sound waves | It's like getting a scan. A gel is applied to the skin and an ultrasound probe is passed over it. The sound waves cause the tissue to vibrate and generate heat. |
In addition, there is a type called surgical diathermy, which is used to cut tissue or stop bleeding during surgery.
Who is this treatment best suited for?
See if you have similar situations.
- Chronic pain .
- If you want to improve blood circulation in a certain area of the body.
- If your muscles are tight and you are having muscle spasms .
- If there is inflammation somewhere in the body.
- If you need to recover quickly from a sprain or muscle strain .
In this case, diathermy treatment can help you.
But remember, whether this treatment is right for you and how long you should do it is something you should definitely discuss with your doctor and decide .
Is diathermy treatment safe for everyone?
No. This treatment is not suitable for some people because it can cause burns or other damage. Your doctor will review your health history and decide if this is right for you.
Diathermy treatment is generally not recommended in the following cases.
| When not to treat | Reason |
|---|---|
| Having metal parts in the body (e.g. pacemakers, pins, intrauterine devices (IUDs), surgical suture clips) | Metal parts may overheat and cause severe burns or damage the equipment. |
| Having cancer | Heat can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. |
| Pregnancy | There is a risk of harm to the fetus. |
| Having open wounds or infections | The infection may spread or the condition may worsen. |
| Having dental fillings (when treating the face) | You may feel discomfort or heat. |
| Serious heart or kidney disease | May not be suitable for people with these conditions. |
What happens before and during treatment?
Preparation before treatment
Before the treatment, you will be instructed to remove all metal objects from your body. This means not only jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, rings, and glasses, but also clothing with metal parts, such as the zipper on your pants. You may be given a special gown to wear during the treatment.
During treatment
You will be asked to sit in a chair or lie down on a bed. Then the diathermy machine will be brought close to the area of your body that will be treated.
- In the short-wave method: Two plates are placed on either side of your body.
- In the microwave method: A lamp-like device is brought close to the skin.
- In the ultrasound method: Gel is applied to the skin and a device is moved over it.
This treatment usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes . During this time, all you have to do is lie still and relax. You will not feel any pain, but you may feel a slight warmth in the area being treated.
What difference do you feel after treatment?
After treatment, you may experience relief like this:
- Reduction in pain and stiffness.
- Muscle relaxation.
- Feeling of warmth in the treated area.
- Reduction of swelling.
- Increased flexibility and mobility of joints.
- Shorter wound healing time.
Are there any risks?
The main risk of diathermy treatment is burns . If the heat stays in one place for too long, it can damage the tissue. But don't worry, the doctor or physiotherapist who is performing the treatment is constantly monitoring this.
Another risk is the possibility of electric shock if you touch anything metal during the treatment. This is why it is essential to remove all metal objects on your body and those you are wearing .
If you have any metal objects inside your body, such as a pacemaker, you should definitely inform your doctor about it before treatment.
You can return to your normal activities after treatment. Sometimes, several treatments may be needed for best results. Diathermy is a complementary treatment to other treatments, such as physical therapy.
If you experience any burning or stinging sensation under your skin after treatment, see your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Diathermy is a "deep heat treatment" method used for muscle and joint pain.
- This is generally a safe and painless treatment.
- This treatment is not suitable if you have a pacemaker, metal rods, or other implanted devices in your body, if you are pregnant, or if you have cancer.
- It is mandatory to remove all metal jewelry and clothing before treatment.
- You should decide whether this treatment is right for you after discussing it with your doctor.
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