Which statement describes the capacitive diathermy method?

• A. Body part becomes part of the electrical circuit
• B. Wrapped around the body part
• C. Towels are used to absorb moisture
• D. Two plate electrodes are placed on each side of the body

Answer: (A)

Capacitive diathermy heats tissue through dielectric heating as high-frequency energy passes through the patient, with the body forming part of the electrical circuit. The essential idea is that the treated body portion becomes part of the capacitor between the electrodes, so current flows through the tissue between them and heat is generated inside the body.

In practice, this method uses two plate electrodes placed on opposite sides of the treatment area, creating an electric field with the body tissue between them. That setup aligns with capacitive heating, but the most defining point is that the body itself participates in the circuit.

Wrapping around the body describes a different configuration, and towels or moisture aren’t what define capacitive diathermy. While plate placement is common, the key concept is the body acting as part of the circuit.