High-voltage electrical stimulation is noted for several uses; which is NOT one of them?

• A. Dehydrating tissues.
• B. Reducing edema, pain, and muscle spasm during the acute phase.
• C. Exercising muscle and delaying atrophy.
• D. Increasing blood flow to tissues.

Answer: (A)

High-voltage electrical stimulation is used in rehab to promote healing and functional recovery by enhancing circulation, reducing edema and pain, and by inducing muscle contractions to prevent atrophy. It helps decrease edema, relieve pain, and reduce muscle spasm in the acute phase by improving drainage and modulating nerve signals. It also provides a way to exercise the muscle when voluntary control is limited, helping delay muscle wasting and maintain function. Increasing blood flow to tissues is another established effect, as the stimulation boosts perfusion and supports healing through the muscle pump and improved circulation. Dehydrating tissues is not a therapeutic goal of HVES; the aim is the opposite—improving fluid movement and tissue perfusion rather than removing water from tissues.