Infrared Diathermy

Infrared radiation is a convenient system to heat parts of our body. It has the advantage over direct
contact in that radiation can heat directly the area where the blood capillaries and neuron terminals
are. When heat comes from a direct contact source it has to heat the external layer of the skin, and
heat is transferred to the deeper layer by conduction. Since heat conduction needs a temperature
gradient to proceed, and there is a maximum temperature that can be safely used (around 42 °C),
this means lower temperature where warming is needed.

Infrared (IR for short) is the part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum comprised between
0.78 µm and 1 mm wavelength. It is usually divided into three segments:
IR-A, from 0.78 to 1.4 µm.
IR-B, from 1.4 to 3 µm.
IR-C, from 3 µm to 1 mm.
IR radiation is more useful than the visible radiation for heating our body, because we
absorb most of it, compared to a strong reflection of visible light. Penetration depth of infrared
radiation in our skin is dependent of wavelength. IR-A is the most penetrating, and reaches some
millimeters, IR-B penetrates into the dermis (about 1 mm), and IR-C is mostly absorbed in the
external layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum).For this reason the infrared lamps used for
therapeutic purposes produce mainly IR-A radiation.

Mechanism of action, and indications

Heat creates higher tissue temperatures, which produces vasodilation that increases the supply of
oxygen and nutrients and the elimination of carbon dioxide and metabolic waste.
Heat therapy is useful for muscle spasms, myalgia, fibromyalgia, contracture, bursitis.
Moist heat can be used on abscesses to help drain the abscess faster. A study from 2005 showed
heat therapy to be effective in treating leishmaniasis, a tropical parasitic skin infection.
Heat therapy is also sometimes used in cancer treatment to augment the effect of chemotherapy or
radiotherapy, but it is not enough to kill cancer cells on its own.
Heat therapy is contraindicated in case of acute injury and bleeding disorders (because of
vasodilation), tissues with a severe lack of sensitivity, scars and in tissues with inadequate vascular
supply (because of increased metabolic rate and demand which a tissue with poor blood supply
may fail to meet resulting in ischemia).
The use of Heat therapy for deep-seated tissue can be treated with shortwave, microwave, and
ultrasonic waves. This produces a high temperature that penetrates deeper. Shortwave produces a
27MHz current, microwaves use 915 and 2456 MHz, and ultrasound is an acoustic vibration of
1MHz. The way ultrasonic waves work is they selectively superimpose the incoming wave and
increase the energy for absorption, and the significant part of the longitudinal compression gets
converted into shear waves. When they are rapidly absorbed, the interface between soft tissue and
bone is selectively heated.

Ultraviolet and Diathermy

UV radiation covers a small part of electromagnetic spectrum lying between visible
light and X-ray region

UV-C

o Far 280 to 100nm

o Effects
- kills bacteria formation of vitamin D
o Skin Tanning

UV-B
o Middle 280-315nm
oEffects – erythema without pigmentation sunburn
oAge-related skin ∆s

UV-A
oNear UV 400-315 nm
oPossible clinical effects – Erythema without pigmentation (beneficial +/
hazardous)

Generators
o Carbon arc lamp
o Xenon compact arc lamp
o Fluorescent UV lamp
1. Low-pressure mercury discharge tubes with a phosphor coating on
2. inside
3. The particular wavelengths and the amount of each emitted will
4. depend on the composition of the phosphor used
5. Gives considerable UVA and UVB output but NO UVC

Ultrasonic Diathermy:
It is one of the electrotherapy modalities used for pain relief. In ultrasound therapy there occurs
compression and rarefaction of sound waves with a frequency of 1MHz. It increases the blood
supply to the area being treated thereby decreasing pain.It also reduces the edema and swelling.

Ultrasound therapy uses sonic waves while short wave diathermy uses electromagnetic waves.
Both the treatments are effective for muscle sprains and it depends upon the treatment area. If the
pain is not localized then the doctors suggest diathermy and if it is localized ultrasound therapy is
suggested.

DURATION:

The ideal duration for Short wave Diathermy is 10-15 minutes.

And for Ultrasound therapy is 8-10 minutes.
Both the treatments are given for a period of 7-10 days.
Microwave
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.

Block diagram of Microwave diathermy