Long Wave Diathermy
Long wave diathermy (LWD) is the use of high frequency
electromagnetic waves of the frequency 1MHz and wavelength
300 m.
It has advantage over short wave diathermy in that:
Long wave diathermy has less frequency (1MHz) than short wave
diathermy (27.12 MHz), so there is minimal loss of energy.
The power output required for long wave diathermy is 25–75
watts only, whereas short wave diathermy generates 250–1000
watts of power.
Unlike short wave diathermy, long wave diathermy does not
produce any interference with other equipments.
It is said that long wave diathermy can be used even with
patients having metal implants.
Also, the portability and affordability of equipment is good in
long wave diathermy as compared to short wave diathermy.
Frequency – 106 Hz
Wavelength – 300 meters
Has superior effects of pain relief over Ultrasound and SWD
Current is called long wave on the account of the relatively long
wavelength of the wireless waves that they set up
It incorporates an innovative technology using 300 meter long
waves to generate heat having the following advantages:
Deeper penetration – 4cm
More focused treatment at the trigger points
Can be applied to tendons and ligaments over bony tissues
Improves circulation, reduces pain and improves mobility
Raises the temperature in the tissues, which may persist for
about 45 mins
Unlike SWD, it doesn’t interfere with other equipments nearby
Due to less frequency and low power output, there is minimal loss of
energy and no tissue damage
It does not irritate bony tissues
Consumes lesser electricity
The treatment is based on capacitor field
Treatment is more accurate and penetrative giving faster pain relief
Parameters
FREQ – 1MHz
WAVELENGTH – 300 meters
POWER OUTPUTS – 25 watts
Timing – Upto 30 mins
The energy is mostly concentrated in high density tissues like
ligaments, tendons, etc
Portable
Indications
Tendinitis
Ligament injuries
Low back ache
Myalgia
Edema, arthrosis, bursitis, piriformis syndrome
Torticollis, impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff
injury
• Long wave diathermy involves oscillating electric and magnetic fields
to generate heat in biological tissues by activating a rapidly alternating
movement of ions, rotation of dipolar molecules, and the distortion of
non-polar molecules
• A movement of ions represents a real flow of current and happens
easily in tissues that reach electrolytes such as blood vessels and
muscle.
• The activity of the long wave diathermy field at the molecular level in
fatty tissues creates blood vessels, and muscle to produce heat
strongly and adipose tissue to heat firmly because the activity is
permeated by small blood vessels that include a solution of
electrolytes.
• The heat created is then retained due to the insulating properties of fat
permitting a high temperature to develop.
• Fibrous tissue is not particularly rich in either blood vessels or fat and
generally shows moderate elevation of temperature. In general, the
tissue response to long-wave diathermy compares closely with that of
other methods of heating, and the common indications and
contraindications are similar to those for superficial heating modalities.
• Long wave Diathermy heats both the deep and superficial layers of
tissue while the effect of superficial heating is most pointed out in the
skin and subcutaneous tissues.
• the strength of electric and magnetic fields depends upon several
factors including the frequency of the unit and characteristics of the
applicator like capacitive electrodes.
• the longwave diathermy was generally used in the past but now the
long wave diathermy is replaced by SWD with the frequency of 10 raise
to 6 Hz and sets up wireless waves with a wavelength of 300 meters
• the current is termed longwave diathermy on account of the relatively
long wavelength of the wireless waves that set up
• the modality is again gaining popularity among the therapist nowadays
because of its better and superior effect of relieving pain compared to
SWD or ultrasound
• it incorporates an innovative technology using 300-meter-long
waves to create heat having the following advantages over the
use of the long wave diathermy
• Long wave diathermy can be used in patients having metal
implants and pacemakers since its density is not high enough to
heat any metal. it does not cause irritation to any of the boney
parts in the upper and lower limbs.
• deep penetration more focused treatment at the trigger points
can be applied to the tendon and ligaments over bony tissue
• it gives penetration up to 4 cm and raises the temperature in the
tissue, which may persist for about 45 minutes
• Unlike SWD (short wave diathermy), it does not interfere with other
modalities in the vicinity due to its lesser frequency and lower output
minimal loss of energy, and no tissue damage it does not irritate the
bony tissue most of the energy is absorbed in the high-density tissues
like tendons, the ligament consumes less electricity the treatment with
long wave diathermy is based on the capacitor field method the
treatment is more accurate and penetrative, giving relief to patients
much faster it has a solid-state design, no valves no crystals used
• Diathermy is commonly used to decrease pain, improve metabolic
functions, improve deep tissue temperature, and improve the range of
motion.
Thank you
