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Diathermy Treatment of Asthma

Diathermy is a treatment that involves the deep heating of tissues to stimulate healing. It is popular for treating neuromuscular conditions and was once recommended as a treatment for asthma.



There hasn't been strong evidence for the effectiveness of traditional diathermy in treating asthma, but emerging technologies have paved the way for better methods of creating heat and healing in the lungs.

  1. Deep Heat

    • United Healthcare reported that the advantage of diathermy is in the use of both electrical and magnetic waves: fat can often resist electrical fields.

      Deep-heat treatment raises the temperature of inner tissues and increases blood flow, according to The University of Iowa. This reduces inflammation, pain and spasms and promotes healing.

    Types of Diathermy

    • Three different methods of delivery are used in traditional deep-heat treatments: microwave diathermy, shortwave diathermy and ultrasound diathermy.

      Microwave diathermy involves radar waves but cannot penetrate deep muscles; shortwave diathermy is enacted by placing a body part between two capacitor plates; ultrasound diathermy involves the use of high-frequency acoustic vibrations or waves.

    History in Asthma Use

    • Diathermy hadn't proved effective at relieving lung inflammation.

      International Medical Electronics explains that diathermy was first used in 1907 and by 1927; it was widely used for many conditions. United Healthcare says that diathermy was a very popular therapy up until the 1960s.

      In 1923, Dr. Harry Stewart used diathermy to treat pneumonia patients, and it was his success that may have spurred its use for the treatment of asthma.

    Diathermy and Asthma Today

    • Although some holistic practitioners, such as Dr. N. Rowan Richards, still use traditional diathermy to treat asthma, the standard use of such deep-heat treatment is for low back pain and muscle spasms. Diathermy can also be used, according to United Healthcare, to treat arthritis, bursitis, pelvic infections and sinusitis.

      Medicare does not cover diathermy or ultrasound treatments for pulmonary conditions. According to United Healthcare, there is no valid research or rationale supporting the use of deep-heat treatments for asthma, bronchitis or other pulmonary conditions.

    Thermoplasty

    • In April 2010, the FDA approved a new deep-heat treatment for asthma based upon success in clinical studies, thermoplasty. Thermoplasty is not a form of diathermy. It is the term used to describe the use of electromagnetic energy or radio-frequency waves within the airways and lungs.

      The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System consists of a catheter with electrode tip and a controller unit. The device uses electromagnetic fields to heat lung tissue, reducing the thickening of smooth muscle associated with inflammation and airway constriction and making it easier to breathe.

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