Short Wave Diathermy for Microbial Infections?

I came across this ND's site that mentioned Diathermy; it can kill pathogens and detox. I never heard of this therapy, but then again, I'm not really involved in physiotherapy. I did a little bit more research and found some more information on it from a book that was published about Diathermy. Apparently, the therapy has been helpful in cases and studied. I found, of course, there are positives and negatives in just about anything. Below is information from the ND, following are other links:

http://www.helfgottblog.com/2008/12/natural-solutions-for-fever-and-infection/

No medicine can replace what Naturopathic Hydro Physiotherapy does. These treatments improve immune function, circulation, lymphatic flow, detoxification in general, along with the specific benefits of the individual physiotherapy modalities themselves. The treatments improve white blood cell function, circulate the oral natural medicines, and deliver them to the site of infection.

Short Wave Diathermy– is of special importance in respiratory and other infections. Diathermy has multiple beneficial effects. Diathermy improves circulation and lymph movement; it also thins lymph so that it flows more smoothly through the lymph nodes and channels –(the infection fighting highways of the body). Short wave also improves white blood cell ability to consume bacteria, temporarily paralyzes bacteria in the energy field, enhances nutrition delivery to the cells locally, and is considered the ‘physical therapy antibiotic’. In fact, diathermy went out of fashion in the 1950’s only after the rise of oral antibiotics, as these were considered more convenient. Diathermy has no equal in upper respiratory infections –useful in bacterial, fungal and viral types. Sinus infections, throat infections, ear and bronchial infections, and lung infections respond very well to diathermy treatment.

High Frequency - is very useful to relax a spasmodic cough, simultaneously producing small amounts of ozone that are anti-viral and antimicrobial, as well as improving circulation for the next 24 hours after application. A special ear attachment allows easy direct treatment of the middle ear, very useful in ear infections for children. We then fill the ear canal with the antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral drawing Iktha-Salve, and use chewable cherry Congaplex.

UV Light - is also useful for throat infections. UV Light is directly germicidal. Just a 20 second application in the mouth is all that is needed. This brief application, along with the hydrotherapy towels and diathermy to the throat is a powerful combination of physical treatment.

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In reading this article you may find the information here of interests to you. Below is an excerpt, but if you go to the link there is plenty of information from clinical observations that are reported.

http://www.rife.org/otherresearch/highfrequencyfields.html

CONCLUSION
1. Forty patients with various acute and chronic conditions were treated by pulsed short wave energy with 33 or 82.5% favorable results.

2. Some interesting side effects not ascribed to heat were observed.

3. The vast majority of this small series volunteered they experienced a general sense of well being.

4. Some medical conditions refractory to the usual medical management responded to pulsed short wave therapy.

5. Speculation on a possible mechanism of observed clinical improvement in the absence of heat is offered.

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http://www.papimi.gr/table03.htm

Below, are some quotes taken from the book Short Wave Diathermy by Tibor de Cholnoky (New York: Columbia University Press, 1937) [Click to see how many people are online]

Keywords: Cholnoky's book.

Bacteria:

"Tribute should be paid to the numerous experiments of Haase and Schliephake and others, for their investigation of the effect of short waves on bacteria. They found that short-wave exposures kill bacteria at a lower temperature than does the hot-water bath. This might indicate, they believe, that there is, in addition to the heat effect, another effect as yet undetermined, inherent in the short-wave field, though they warn against drawing conclusions prematurely." (p. 29)

Reference to: Haase, W. and E. Schliephake,
"Verusche uber den Einfluss kurzer elektrischer Wellen auf das Wachstum von Bakterien."
Bietr. z. klin. Chir., 60 (1931), 133-58.

In vitro experiments conducted on:
Staphylococci, Streptococci, Bacillus Coli, Tubercle Bacillus, had some positive results, others were resistant to treatment.
Viruses (early consideration of immune system stimulation):

"Carpenter and Page pointed out that the increased heat generated in the body by short waves, established an environment that is in general unfavorable to the development of the virus. The heat increases the rate of those chemical processes which are concerned with the general defense mechanism of the body against the infectious agents." (p. 37)

Reference to:
Carpenter, C. M. and A. B. Page, "The production of fever in man by short radio waves."
Science, 71 (1930), 450-52.

The book Short Wave Diathermy by Cholnoky also gives information on following conditions that were treated using pulsed spark-type diathermies being used at that time.

Below we list the indications taken from Cholnoky's book.

Notice: These indications should not be considered the same for the PAP IMI devices, or the two technologies are not identical. There are a number of serious differences. On the other hand, certain other indications have never been tested or tried for the PAP IMI devices. For those cases tried with the PAP IMI units, see the beginning of this presentation.

Cholnoky's Indication's: The table below, as the rest of similar tables below are given for comparison and scientific research only.

Infectious Diseases:
The Common Cold
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Erysipelas (pre gangrenous condition)
Erysipeloid (infective dermatitis)
Actinomycosis (infects soft tissues & bone of lower jaw)
Allergic Diseases
Bronchial Asthma

Metabolic Diseases:
Gout
Obesity
Diabetes Mellitus
Disorders of the Endocrine Function

Disease of the Respiratory Tract:
Laryngitis
Bronchitis
Bronchiectasis
Emphysema
Pleurisy
Empyema
Abscess of the Lung
Pulmonary Gangrene
The Oral Cavity:

Dental structures:
dental granulomas, parodontitis
Tonsillitis
Spasm of the Esophagus

The Stomach:
Gastritis
Peptic ulcer
Gastric neuroses

The Intestines:
Tuberculous colitis
Chronic appendicitis
Abdominal adhesions
Spastic colitis
Perityphlitis
Peritonitis

The Biliary Passages:
Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Hepatitis
The Urinary Tract:
Cystitis (Tuberculous)
Puelitis
Nephritis
Perirenal Abscess

Diseases of the Skin:
Furuncle
Carbuncle
Axillary Sweat-gland Infection and Abscess
Phlegmon
Streptococcus
Eczema (chronic ulcers, lupus)
Acne vulgaris
Pruritus

Diseases of the Head:
Sinusitis (acute and chronic)
Empyema of the antra, adjacent, and ethmoid sinuses

The Female Genital Tract:
Pelvic Inflammation and Infections:
Old Adnexal Tuberculosis
Acute salpingitis
Adnexal tumors
Peritonitis
Gonococcal adnexitis
Adnexal swelling due to infection following miscarriage or pregnancy
Chronic adnexitis
Metro endometritis
Bartholin's Gland Abscess
Dysmenorrhea

The Male Genito-Urinary Tract:
Gonorrheal Urethritis
Epididymitis
Diseases of the Prostate
Tuberculous disease of the testicles, bladder, and kidney

Diseases of the Locomotor System:
The Muscular System:
Myalgia
Lumbago
Spastic contractures
Rheumatism, etc.
Tendovaginitis
Bursitis

The Bones:
Periostitis
Osteomyelitis

The joints:
Arthritis
Gonorrheal arthritis
Traumatic arthritis
Atrophic arthritis
Hypertrophic arthritis
Tuberculosis

Traumatic injuries:
Hematoma, Sprain, Lesions, Lacerations

Diseases of the Nervous System:
Neurosyphilis
Neuritides
Neuralgia of the Lumbosacral Plexus
Trigeminal, Brachial, Exipital, and Intercostal Neuralgias
Polyneuritis
Migraine
Parkinson's Disease
Epilepsy
Hiccup
Urinary Incontinence of Nervous Origin (due to multiple sclerosis, syphilis, traumatic hematomyelia, enuresis nocturna)
Neuroma (e.g., amputation neuroma)

Diseases of the Eye:
Atrophy of the optic nerve
Corneal ulcer
Orbital phlegmons
Iridocyclitis, tuberculous lesions, inflammatory disorders, and palsies of the ocular muscles

Diseases of the Ear:
Otitis media
Mastoiditis
Mastitis
Malignant Diseases

Note that the effects of PAP IMI treatment have not yet been established on many of the conditions listed in the above table.
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