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Microwave Diathermy Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea

AR Vance, PT, BSN, is Co-owner, Relax-the-Back Store, 2020 Glen Echo Rd, Nashville, TN 37215 (USA) (backrelax@aol).
SH Hayes, PhD, PT, is Professor and Director, Division of Physical Therapy, University of Miami School of Medicine, 5915 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33146.
NI Spielholz, PhD, PT, is Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, University of Miami School of Medicine.

This case report documents the use of microwave diathermy in a 31-year-old woman who had had primary dysmenorrhea since menarche began at age 13 years. For 18 years, she had severe monthly pain, frequently resulting in emergency department admissions and 1 to 3 days lost from work. Conventional treatments, including pain-relieving drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, superficial heat, and oral contraceptives, had all been unsuccessful in relieving or abating the intense and debilitating pain. Microwave diathermy (45 W total power) was administered for 20 minutes each month on the day symptoms began (usually the first day of menstruation). Over a 7-month interval, diathermy was followed by almost-immediate and long-lasting relief of symptoms. During the 7 months of treatment, the patient lost no workdays due to severe pain. This case demonstrates the potential use of microwave diathermy as an effective treatment for women with this condition.

Key Words: Diathermy • Dysmenorrhea • Physical therapy

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