Shortwave diathermy emits comfortable heat by generating an electromagnetic field which brings soothing relief to many patients suffering from back pain, spasm, bursitis, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Diathermy also acts as a sedative to irritated nerves and induces relaxation and freer movement of muscles and ligaments. In addition to its healing benefits, diathermy helps make movement and stretching easier and less painful.
For instance, with an injured or inflamed joint such as sprained knees, hip, back, or frozen shoulder, the treatment objectives are to relieve pain, prevent stiffness, and restore restricted movement. Diathermy is frequently the most effective means for accomplishing these aims because the deep heat relieves the pain, relaxes the muscle fibers, and permits easier movement.
Diathermy also has a soothing and relaxing effect on the type of muscle spasms and contractures often seen in low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and some spinal disc problems. This type of heat, by going deep into the structures, can often bring about complete relief that lasts for hours and sometimes for days and weeks at a time. Spastic conditions of the stomach, gallbladder and intestines also often respond well to the application of diathermy.
