Galvanic bath is an alternative medical treatment (a type of

electrotherapy Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. In medicine, the term ''electrotherapy'' can apply to a variety of treatments, including the use of electrical devices such as deep brain stimulators for neurological dise ...

) based on the simultaneous use of water and

electric current An electric current is a stream of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is measured as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface or into a control volume. The moving pa ...

. The patient lies in a 34 degree Celsius bath, while gentle electric current is passed through his body. Galvanic baths are mostly used in the treatment of

degenerative diseases Degenerative disease is the result of a continuous process based on degenerative cell changes, affecting biological tissue, tissues or Organ (anatomy), organs, which will increasingly deteriorate over time. In neurodegenerative diseases, cells of ...

such as

inflammatory arthritis Inflammatory arthritis is a group of diseases which includes: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy, inflammatory bowel disease, adult-onset Still's disease, scleroderma, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ...

and problems with the

joints A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between bones, ossicles, or other hard structures in the body which link an animal's skeletal system into a functional whole.Saladin, Ken. Anatomy & Physiology. 7th ed. McGraw- ...

. The treatment lasts about 15 minutes.

Types

In addition to full galvanic baths, when the patient's body is fully immersed in water, there are also ''four-chambered galvanic baths'' (also called ''four cell galvanic baths''), which also combine electrical energy and hydrotherapy, but are used only on the limbs. Patient's forearms and lower legs are put in water trays, and electric current is passed through warm water. This procedure is said to improve the circulation, reduce pain and was considered especially beneficial for

rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involv ...

though no studies have been done to confirm these claims.

History

Jennie Kidd Trout Jennie Kidd Trout (born Gowanlock; April 21, 1841 – November 10, 1921) was the first woman in Canada to become a licensed medical doctor, on March 11, 1875. Trout was the only woman in Canada licensed to practice medicine until July 1880, when ...

played the most notable role in studying galvanic bath effects and generally popularizing the procedure. The Therapeutic and Electrical Institute opened by Jennie Kidd Trout in

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

, specialized in specific treatments for all that involved Austyn galvanic baths and electricity. She also ran a free dispensary for the poor located at the same place, for six years. The Therapeutic and Electrical Institute included six houses. Eventually the Institute was able to open two more branches in

Hamilton Hamilton may refer to: People * Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname ** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland ** Lord Hamilt ...

and

Brantford Brantford (Canada 2021 Census, 2021 population: 104,688) is a city in Ontario, Canada, founded on the Grand River (Ontario), Grand River in Southwestern Ontario. It is surrounded by County of Brant, Brant County, but is politically separate with ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

Physiological benefits

There appear to be no contemporary scientific studies regarding the physiological effects of galvanic baths, beneficial or otherwise.

References

{{Reflist Energy therapies Electrotherapy

Types

History

Physiological benefits

See also

References