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A Comparative Study Of Positive Versus Negative Polarity In The Treatment Of Acute Ankle Sprains Utilizing High Voltage Electrogalvanic Stimulation, Lauren Michelle Wells

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Electrical stimulation has long been used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. Its current uses range from muscle re-education and orthotic substitute to scoliosis management and edema control. I chose to study the effect of electrode polarity in high voltage electrogalvanic stimulation in the treatment of edema for several reasons. I had access to subjects because I was the only physical therapist at the Stockton Orthopedic Medical Group. High voltage electrogalvanic stimulation is a commonly used modality in treating edema (Brown, 1981). High voltage generators have a polarity switch, and the direction manual which accompanies the Electro-Med generator …