1) Galvanic current is a steady direct current that can have pulse durations between 1-300 ms, though 100 ms is most common, and requires 30 pulses per minute. 2) There are two types - constant galvanic current which moves in one direction at a constant strength, and modified galvanic current which is interrupted direct current. 3) Galvanic current can cause muscle contraction, stimulate sensory and motor nerves, and increase blood flow and skin redness. It is also used in cosmetics for skin cleansing and nourishing through iontophoresis.

1. DR RIAZ AMED PT

2.  It is a steady direct current.
 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.

3. 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.

4.  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.
 Blood flow:-It increases blood circulation causing
erythema (redness) of the skin.

5.  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.

6. Ion Introduction:-Iontophoresis
technique is used for introduction
therapeutically beneficial ion into body
tissue. i.e acetate chloride, copper, iodine
etc.

7.  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.

8.  Burn:
 Electric shock
 Skin irritation
 Systemic effects

9.  Skin lesions:
 Impaired cognitive ability
 Pregnancy (1st trimester)
 Over Carotid sinus
 Loss of sensation.
 Cancer.
 Cardiac pacemakers.
 Superficial metals