During HVPC therapy for edema management, which polarity is typically used in the initial stage?

• A. Negative polarity
• B. Positive polarity
• C. Neutral polarity
• D. Start with negative polarity and then switch to positive as healing progresses

Answer: (D)

Starting with negative polarity sets the stage for edema control and inflammation modulation in the acute phase. The cathode’s effects help move fluids and charged particles, supporting edema reduction and clearing inflammatory debris. As healing progresses and the edema subsides, switching to positive polarity shifts the local environment to better support tissue repair—promoting fibroblast activity, collagen synthesis, and epithelialization. Neutral polarity doesn’t provide the directional ion effects needed for both edema reduction and healing in this context, so the typical approach is to begin with negative and then move to positive as healing advances.