Galvanic Stimulation

High-Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation is best used for injuries that are associated with bleeding or swelling. Unlike TENS and Interferential units, which apply alternating current, galvanic stimulators apply direct current.

Galvanic stimulators work on the Galvanic Theory, or the reaction of two elements when they are charged with opposite (positive and negative) ions. It has been shown that Galvanic stimulators can increase blood flow around the affected area. The amount of increase depends on several factors, such as the amount of stimulation and the type of tissue involved. When there is an increased flow of blood in the injured area, toxins can be cleared more readily, and the affected tissue will have a greater supply of oxygen which helps in healing and may also help retard infection.

Direct current creates an electrical field over the treated area that changes blood flow. The positive pad behaves like ice, causing reduced circulation to the area under the pad and reduction in swelling. The negative pad behaves like heat, causing increased circulation, and speeds up the healing. The Galvanic Stimulator is the best modality for iontophoresis treatments.

High-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation (HVPGS) is gaining widespread use for wound healing, edema reduction and pain relief Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Diabetic Foot are two major areas of use. Devices in this class are characterized by a unique twin- peak waveform with very short pulse duration (microseconds) and a therapeutic voltage greater than 100 volts. The combination of very short pulse duration and high peak current, yet low total current per second allows relatively comfortable stimulation. Furthermore, this combination provides an efficient means of exciting sensory, motor and pain-conducting nerve fibers.

Skin offers a great amount of resistance to the flow of electrical current. When current is passed through a circuit that contains resistors, voltage drop occurs and energy is lost. This phenomenon occurs when traditional low voltage units are used in treatment A high voltage device produces a spontaneous breakdown in skin resistance and HVPGS current passes through the skin with negligible thermal and electrochemical effects.

The first high voltage stimulator was developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1945. By decreasing the pulse duration and increasing the voltage, the developers noted that deep tissues could be stimulated without producing tissue damage. The first published report (1966) described its effectiveness in wound healing of animal limbs.