A shortwave diathermy unit is a device designed to generate radiofrequency radiation and transfer it, via cables and electrodes, to the area to be treated. The units can be operated in either a continuous wave or pulsed mode but both produce heat in deep tissue. Two basic types of electrodes (applicators)are in use, the capacitor-type and the inductor type. In the first case tissue heating is basically due to the radiofrequency electric field, while for the inductive electrodes (coils), heating occurs by a combination of electric field effects and currents induced in the tissue by the magnetic field. The heating profile of the two mechanisms is somewhat different. These devices are capable of generating a sufficiently high level of radiation that there may be cause for concern for the safe