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diathermy |
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diathermy (dī`əthûr'mē), therapeutic measure used in medicine to generate heat in the body tissues. Electrodes and other instruments are used to transmit electric current to surface structures, thereby increasing the local blood circulation and facilitating and accelerating the process of absorption and repair. Diathermy is used for arthritis, bursitis, and other disorders of the tendons and muscles, as well as for certain other conditions requiring tissue repair. Because of the high-frequency current used in shortwave diathermy, care must be taken to avoid burning the patient's skin or injuring the deeper tissues. diathermyUse of high-frequency electric current for deep heating of tissues in physical therapy. Shortwave, ultrasound, and microwave diathermy heat tissues at different depths for different purposes. Low heat warms tissue to ease muscle pain. Higher degrees of diathermy destroy tissue; this is useful in surgery, particularly on the eye or nerves, to coagulate, limit bleeding, and seal off traumatized tissues. diathermy [′dī·ə‚thər·mē] (medicine) The therapeutic use of high-frequency electric currents to produce localized heat in body tissues. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| ? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | ||
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| The generation of ultrasound and diathermy is described and treatment parameters are provided, using terminology commonly associated with each modality. Generally speaking, seniors tend to respond to three types of electrotherapy used in long-term care: electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and diathermy (which involves generating localized heat in body tissues). 1) Suction diathermy is becoming more popular, but it has yet to gain universal acceptance. |
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