Which is a biophysical effect of diathermy?

Which is a biophysical effect of diathermy?

• A. Increase blood flow
• B. Decrease blood flow
• C. No effect on macrophages
• D. Decrease fibroblast activity

Answer: (A)

Diathermy’s heating action raises tissue temperature, and the primary biophysical effect is increased blood flow due to vasodilation. As heat relaxes and widens blood vessels, perfusion improves, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helping with waste removal—this supports healing and reduces stiffness or spasm in nearby muscles. Decreasing blood flow would run counter to the heating effect, which is why that option isn’t correct. Heating also tends to stimulate cellular activity rather than suppress it, so options implying no effect on macrophages or decreased fibroblast activity don’t align with the typical thermal response.

Diathermy’s heating action raises tissue temperature, and the primary biophysical effect is increased blood flow due to vasodilation. As heat relaxes and widens blood vessels, perfusion improves, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helping with waste removal—this supports healing and reduces stiffness or spasm in nearby muscles.

Decreasing blood flow would run counter to the heating effect, which is why that option isn’t correct. Heating also tends to stimulate cellular activity rather than suppress it, so options implying no effect on macrophages or decreased fibroblast activity don’t align with the typical thermal response.