5.3. Preparation of the patient
• Before the start of treatment, the patient should
remove all articles of clothing containing metal
(lurex) and metal items in pockets or any other
such articles which are liable to come within the
radiation zone. Such articles include rings, chains,
claps, bracelets, jewellery, watches, piercings,
articles with metal fittings such as bras, suspender
belts, corsets, hearing aids and metallic and elec-
tronic prostheses, etc.
• Moisture concentrations heat up more intensively
in the treatment zone of the radiator. In leather or
synthetic clothing occurs easily increased per-
spiration. It is therefore recommended to unclothe
the body parts which are to be treated and, in
the case of strongly perspiring, dried off (folds in
the skin). Dry bandages can be irradiated quite
safely. Diathermy should not be applied in re-
gions covered by moist bandages or adhesive
tape.
• Parts of the body containing metallic
endoprostheses such as medullary pegs, metal
splinters, metallic joints, pins, spirals, skull plates,
dental fillings and crowns, wires and so on, should
not be subjected to treatments or only at ex-
tremely low dosage levels.
• When treating narrow parts of the body (e.g. a
wrist) it should be ensured that the radiator is set
up so that sensitive parts of the body (e.g. eyes,
testicles) are not in the irradiated area. In these
cases it is recommended to use a smaller radia-
tor.
• It should be made possible for the patient to
adopt a relaxed and calm posture during the
entire treatment.
20
5.4. Dosage
As long as the rules of treatment are adherent to, no
harm will be incurred by patients as the result of mi-
crowave radiation. As the blood circulation increases
strongly in the region the generated warmth is quickly
dissipated and there is no built-up of heat. Injuries
can be sustained only as the result of gross errors of
treatment (heavy overdose), exactly as with any other
form of physical or medical therapy.
If goes without saying that markedly aqueous tissue
which is poorly vascularized, such as the eyes ans
testicles, should be treated only at very low dosage
levels.
The decisive factor for all dosage calculations must
be the patient's own sensitivity to heat.
During the first treatment of a series, the patient
should be asked immediately about his subjective
feeling.
• Always set the dosage according to the individual
patient and never in accordance with a fixed
scheme.
• Every patient has a different susceptibility to
warmth and this generally reaches a steady state
only after about 5 minutes.
• The patient's sensitivity to warmth may vary dur-
ing the course of a treatment (adaptation).
• The patient must be asked to report an increase
of the warmth sensation. The dosage must then
be reduced.
• The dosage must not be increased under any
circumstances as a result of any lessening of the
feeling of warmth during treatment.
• When sensibility disorders is suspected the sub-
jective warmth perception of the patient is
checked by means of the skin temperature. In
order to avoid overheating in such cases, the
dosage must be adjusted with extreme care.
Apply only small doses for short periods to the
treatment zone.
Microwave therapy should never be applied to
parts of the body under local anaesthetic because
this might lead to local burns.
For further information with regard to dosage we re-
fer to the booklet "Treatment tables" with reference
number 1435.770.