Duration
Between 15 – 20 minutes.
It is a novel technique for the treatment of acute or chronic pathologies of the muscular, fascial and tendon tissue. Through the application of a low intensity galvanic current on the damaged tissue, it is possible to generate a mild inflammatory response that allows the activation of natural physiological mechanisms, aimed at repairing the structure.
The therapy begins with an ultrasound scan of the area to detect the exact point of injury and delimit the area to be treated. The skin is then disinfected and once the parameters have been entered into the EPI device, the intervention begins.
How is this galvanic current applied?
The galvanic current is generated in an electromedical device specially designed for this purpose, capable of modulating the parameters of intensity and time we want to apply depending on the type of injury. This current is applied by means of a very fine sterile stainless-steel needle. This allows us to reach the lesion area to be treated.
Is it equivalent to an infiltration?
Not at all, the main differences are:
INFILTRATION | EPI |
---|---|
It uses hollow needles to inoculate a substance (usually anti-inflammatory) into the lesion. | It uses solid needles |
Seeks a chemical effect on the area by imposing an artificial inflammatory control mechanism on the lesion | Seeks an electrophysical and electrochemical stimulus effect on the body’s existing natural mechanisms for tissue repair. |
There are several types of infiltrations, hyaluronic acid, plasma, collagen, neural therapy, homeopathic products, vitamins, corticosteroids, etc.. The latter being the best known and also the ones that generate the greatest side effects in patients who have been treated repeatedly with them.
Is treatment with EPI painful?
Depending on the region to be treated, the stage of the lesion (acute-subacute-chronic) and the pain threshold of each patient (not all patients experience the same degree of pain to the same stimuli), it can range from mild discomfort to moderate pain depending on each case.
To reduce the discomfort generated during the application of the technique, you can choose to apply cold spray, anesthetic creams or locally anesthetize the area in those more delicate cases.
At Corporis Fisioterapia we perform this technique with local anesthesia in those cases in which the area to be treated is very sensitive or in patients with a very low pain threshold, making the treatment completely painless (this local anesthesia service is performed by a doctor belonging to the Corporis team, trained for this purpose).
What should I expect the following days?
After treatment there is usually an increase in the usual discomfort, this is due to the effect on the metabolism of the injured area, blood circulation increases and with it the arrival of substances responsible for repairing the injured tissue. Usually these discomforts usually last 24-48 hours and are very similar to the stiffness that appears after doing intense sports.
Can I do sports after treatment?
It is not advisable to train the following 48 hours after treatment, although each case has its particularities depending on the type of injury, duration and dose of electrolysis applied.
In many cases a pattern of functional and/or eccentric exercises will be started, which will considerably enhance the therapeutic effects of Electrolysis on the injury.
How many sessions do I need?
It depends on each injury but it usually ranges between 1 and 4 sessions are usually necessary.
How much time should pass between sessions?
3 weeks is usually the usual. This is usually the time it takes the body to repair a tissue, so the electrolysis stimuli must respect these periods although in some cases these times may be reduced since therapy is performed in different areas and in several phases. All this depends on each case for which a personalized planning will be made in the first assessment session.
Why should it be applied under ultrasound control?
It is very important a correct diagnosis and localization of the injured area, since the galvanic current acts in an extremely small area (just 2-3mm) causing immediate changes on the tissue where it is applied, destroying the deteriorated fibers and generating an inflammatory response that will help to repair it.
Therefore, always visualizing the injured area, as well as the electrolytic effect of the current on it are essential to ensure the success of the intervention. Therefore we rely on high-definition ultrasound equipment that allows us to achieve this result.
Are there any side effects?
Slight discomfort 24-48 hours later. The risk of infection is minimal as the needles are sterile and do not inject any liquid.
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