MODIFIED GALVANIC
CURRENT
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DEFINITION
It is an uninterrupted unidirectional flow of electrons.
Galvanic current represents a constant flow of electrons
from one electrode to the other one with no oscillations or
alterations.
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INTERRUPTED GALVANIC CURRENT
Regular pause can be given between stimulation that is called as
interrupted galvanic current(IGC) and it is used for denervated muscle
stimulation
Constant direct current is used for Iontophoresis
Appropriate electrical stimulation can cause a denervated muscle to
contract
Contraction of a denervated muscle may help to limit edema and
venous stasis within the muscle, that delay the degeneration of muscle
fiber and fibrosis.
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EFFECTS OF GALVANIC
CURRENT
Physical effects
Heating effects
Physiological effects
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PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Ion transfer or iontophoresis: A technique to introduce drugs to the
human body through skin topically by applying electric current. (anti-
inflammatory drugs)
Electrophoresis: Electrophoresis is a general term that describes the
migration and separation of charged particles (ions) under the
influence of an electric field.
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HEATING EFFECTS
Conversion of electrical energy into heat energy
Heating cause vasodilatation, that cause erythema.
No heating can be generated by currents below 300 mA.
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PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Galvanic hyperemia
Nerve and muscle stimulation
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GALVANIC HYPEREMIA
Hyperemia-skin redness
It consists of 3 phases:
Primary period → An active reddening of the skin that may last for
several hours.
Latent period → Reddening disappear entirely.
Renewed hyperemia → a late reaction appears several hours after the
primary reaction and may last for several hours.
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NERVE & MUSCLE STIMULATIONS
• Application of the galvanic current to the motor point.
A sufficient intensity at motor point will result in muscular
contraction.
Stimulation of muscle and nerve fiber to cause muscular contraction
whether the muscle is normal or paralyzed.
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CLINICAL APPLICATION
Muscle and nerve testing
Treatment of paralyzed muscles
Medical galvanism
Medical ionization
Electrochemical cauterization
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MUSCLE & NERVE TESTING
• Reaction of degeneration (RD)
Rheobase is the smallest amount of current required to produce a
muscle contraction with a stimulus of infinite duration. Usually
impulse of 100ms duration is used to find out the rheobase for
practical purpose.
Denervation of muscles reduces rheobase and hence it may be less
than that of innervated muscles. However, it may increase if
reinnervation commences.
Chronaxie is the shortest duration of electrical impulse that will
produce a response with current, double that of rheobase. The
chronaxie of the denervated muscles is higher than innervated
muscles.
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STRENGTH-DURATION CURVE
Strength-duration curve is an electrodiagnostic procedure
characterized by plotting a graph of, amount of intensity required
against various durations of impulse;
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TREATMENT OF PARALYZED MUSCLES
To keep muscle living and prevent its atrophy till its nerve
regenerates, so recovery will be rapid and complete.
Appropriate electrical stimulation can cause denervated muscles to
contract
Contraction of denervated muscle may help to limit edema & venous
stasis with in the muscles that delay muscle fiber’s degeneration and
fibrosis
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MEDICAL GALVANISM
Galvanism-(Use of direct current without any drug for the
treatment of various diseases and disorders is known as
galvanism)
It is used in chronic inflammatory conditions as counter irritant,
to relieve pain and fatigue, and as a vasodilator agent in some
peripheral vascular diseases.
Medical galvanism is used for acute and chronic inflammatory
conditions such as chilblain, Raynaud’s disease, Buerger’s
disease, etc.
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MEDICAL IONIZATION
It is the introduction of foreign ions(tropical creams) into the tissues
using the galvanic current for therapeutic purposes like, rheumatic
pains in joints , osteoarthritis.
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ELECTROCHEMICAL
CAUTERIZATION
Cauterization-medical practice or technique of burning a part
of a body to remove or close off a part of it.
It is the controlled tissue destruction by the caustic effects of
galvanic current.
It is used in removal of excessive hair, removal of small skin
tumors and in galvanic acupuncture.
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FACIAL TREATMENTS
The only form of electrical current which could be used on
face is interrupted galvanic current (I.G.C.).
This is only to preserve the bulk of facial muscle and to
prevent their atrophy until re-innervations or reconditioning
completes.
There is no room for the use of faradic current use on the face
as it could lead to cause secondary contractures of the face.
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Galvanic currents are used primarily for facial muscles. A galvanic
current uses mild electric currents that consist of positive and negative
ions to stimulate the local muscles. The outcome of a galvanic current is
maintaining the muscle physiology.
The most suitable current is interrupted galvanic current, that produce
a brisk twitches of the facial muscles, and there will be no danger of
secondary contractures.
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USES
Galvanic currents are used for iontophoresis are used to stimulate
denervated muscles.
Maintain the properties of muscle.
Retards the denervation atrophy.
Helps the muscle to utilize all the substances and maintain nutrition.
Improves absorption and activates pumping function of muscle.
Prevents venous and lymphatic stasis.
Maintain the extensibility of the muscles.
Improves local circulation.
Prevents contracture.
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STIMULATING DENERVATED
MUSCLE
Purpose for electrically stimulating denervated muscle is to
help minimize the extent of atrophy while the nerve is
regenerating
Degenerative changes progress until muscle is re-innervated
by axons regenerating across site of lesion
If re-innervation does not occur within 2 years fibrous
connective tissue replaces contractile elements and recovery of
muscle function is not possible
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APPLICATION OF GALVANIC CURRENT
Denervated muscles
Facial muscle weakness secondary to Bell’s Palsy & Facial palsy
Iontophoresis
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
Placement of electrodes tangential to the heart
Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
Presence of malignancy
Placement of electrodes along regions of the phrenic nerve
Placement of electrodes over the carotid sinus or laryngeal
musculature
anywhere on pregnant women
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Cardiac pacemakers and Arrhythmias
Hemorrhagic condition
Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis (inflammation of wall of vein)
Early tendon transfer and repair
Unconscious patient
Recent radiotherapy
Child with mental disturbance
Malignancy
Infected wound and skin lesion
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PRECAUTIONS
Adequate precautions should be taken for patients with heart
problems.
Placement of electrodes across the heart or trans thoracically can
cause an arrhythmia.
The device should not be used over skin eruptions or swollen, infected
or inflamed areas.
Turn the unit off when applying or removing electrodes.
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DANGERS
Erythema
Burns
Electric Shock
Hypovolemic shock
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