Long duration current having pulse duration more than 1 ms up to 300 ms or 600 ms. But the commonly used duration is 100 ms duration. It requires a frequency of 30 pulses/ min.
If the duration increases the frequency must
be reduced. Two types of Galvanic current 1) CONSTANT GALVANIC CURRENT
. An electric current that moves in one
direction with constant strength 1) MODIFIED GALVANIC CURRENT . It is Interrupted Direct current. Interruption is the most common modification of direct current. Muscle Contraction:-The intensity and duration of impulses in galvanic current is adequate so that it can cause a sluggish worm like contraction. Sensory Nerve Stimulation:-When current is applied it produces sensory stimulation resulting in the feeling stabbing or burning sensation. Stimulation of motor nerve:- with such current produces contraction of the muscle supplied by that nerve.
erythema (redness) of the skin. Cosmetics introduction to skin. Galvanic treatment in the beauty industry has been described since at least the 1970s, and earlier. Sometimes called galvanism, the treatment aims to improve the skin in two ways: (1) Cleansing: a process called desincrustation, (2) Nourishing the skin condition, through an electro- chemical process called iontophoresis. Ion Introduction:-Iontophoresis technique is used for introduction therapeutically beneficial ion into body tissue. i.e acetate chloride, copper, iodine etc. Iontophoresis or ion transfer is the noninvasive introduction of topically applied free ions into skin using direct current. In Physiotherapy the constant Galvanic current is mostly used for Iontophoresis. Burn: Electric shock Skin irritation Systemic effects Skin lesions: Impaired cognitive ability Pregnancy (1st trimester) Over Carotid sinus Loss of sensation. Cancer. Cardiac pacemakers. Superficial metals