'Shortwave diathermy' refers to heating of deeply located tissue using electric or
magnetic fields which alternate at high frequency. The term 'shortwave diathermy', is
something of a misnomer as the contribution of waves, as such, to the treatment is
negligible. The physiological effects are a result of electric and magnetic fields
generated by the shortwave diathermy apparatus. Shortwave radiation plays little or
no role in the therapy.