Continuous Shortwave Diathermy (CSWD) is used to achieve which of the following effects?

Continuous Shortwave Diathermy (CSWD) is used to achieve which of the following effects?

• A. Increasing the extensibility of deep collagen tissue.
• B. Decreasing blood flow to the area.
• C. Causing superficial heating only.
• D. Inducing tissue dehydration.

Answer: (A)

Continuous Shortwave Diathermy delivers energy that penetrates to deeper tissues, creating a thermal effect that warms deep collagen-containing structures. When deep tissue temperatures rise, collagen fibers become more extensible, allowing greater stretch and improved range of motion. This is why CSWD is used to help with tissue flexibility and to prepare tissues for stretching or rehabilitation tasks. It’s not a superficial heater—the heating effect targets deeper tissues rather than just the skin or superficial layers. Heating also tends to increase, not decrease, blood flow due to vasodilation, so decreasing blood flow isn’t an expected outcome. Dehydration isn’t a therapeutic or primary effect of CSWD.

Continuous Shortwave Diathermy delivers energy that penetrates to deeper tissues, creating a thermal effect that warms deep collagen-containing structures. When deep tissue temperatures rise, collagen fibers become more extensible, allowing greater stretch and improved range of motion. This is why CSWD is used to help with tissue flexibility and to prepare tissues for stretching or rehabilitation tasks. It’s not a superficial heater—the heating effect targets deeper tissues rather than just the skin or superficial layers. Heating also tends to increase, not decrease, blood flow due to vasodilation, so decreasing blood flow isn’t an expected outcome. Dehydration isn’t a therapeutic or primary effect of CSWD.