Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing or preventing the deleterious skin heating effects associated with conventional short wave diathermy treatment. The disclosed method includes attenuation of the electrostatic field transmitted by the applicator head and transcutaneous transmission of the radiated electromagnetic energy substantially unimpeded to the deep body tissues to be treated. The attenuation of the electrostatic field is performed by an electrostatic shield, which is adapted to be positioned on the diathermy applicator head between the radiating electrode and the patient receiving treatment. However, the radiated electromagnetic field, which is primarily responsible for the therapeutic generation of heat in relatively deep body tissues, passes through the shield substantially unimpeded. The shield comprises a plurality of narrow, preferably metallic, spaced apart strips and an electrically conductive loop which surrounds the strips and is coplanar therewith.