Corina Inguanzo, age 15, of Jamestown, N.Y., for her question:

CAN YOU EXPLAIN DIATHERMY?

Diathermy is a method of treating ailments by passing an electric current through the body. An oscillating current is used, with the very high frequency of 10 million to 100 million cycles per second.

The oscillating current changes direction so quickly that the nervous system does not have time to react as it would in low frequency electric shock. The tissues grow warm because of their resistance as the high frequency current passes through them.

By using diathermy, doctors can warm parts inside the body. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to do this with baths or hot pads.

In medical diathermy, the heat is kept low enough so it will not injure the tissues. In long wave diathermy', the current flows between two metal conductors which fit against the patient's leg or any part of the body to be treated. When using short wave diathermy, short length radio waves are passed through the tissues from one rubber covered electrode to the other.     

Diathermy is used for conditions which require heat, such as inflammation, muscle strain, neuritis and arthritis. Diathermy may also be used surgically.