Table of Contents
What is EPAT Treatment?
How does EPAT Treatment work?
Through EPAT therapy, sound wave pulses are directed to the injured area to stimulate your body’s own healing reaction with improved blood circulation. This encourages your body’s innate response and the formation of new blood vessels to allow healing cells to go to the injured tissue. In addition to enhancing blood circulation, this treatment can also accelerate the healing process. As a low energy device, EPAT treatment can be an important step in healing and recovery for acute injuries.
Given that EPAT is a non-invasive procedure, there are no complications, side effects, bandages, or casts. Some folks may experience mild discomfort, redness, or bruising at or around the affected area. These issues usually resolve within a few days and only affect a small portion of patients.
What conditions does EPAT treatment help?
When injuries become chronic and resistant to healing, EPAT treatment can help. Some of the foot and ankle conditions that EPAT can treat include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Achilles tendonitis
- Tendonitis in the arch
- Poorly healed fractures
Several studies show a high success rate of patient satisfaction when EPAT is used for foot and ankle problems.
Who is a good candidate for EPAT treatment?
If you have tried all the conservative treatments for your foot or ankle injury – strapping, stretching, proper shoes and orthotics, anti-inflammatories, night splints, and/or physical therapy – and you’re still in pain, you may be a good candidate for EPAT.
If you are free from certain pre-existing conditions like circulatory disorders, nerve damage, or tumors, you can receive EPAT treatment. Share your medical history with your board-certified podiatrist to determine if EPAT is right for you.
What does EPAT treatment entail?
Depending on your condition, EPAT treatment lasts between 5-15 minutes each session and takes place weekly or twice weekly. Some folks only need EPAT for a few weeks while others may need treatment for up to three months as new tissue is formed. This will largely depend on the severity of your injury. Most patients feel better within a month of using EPAT. EPAT is administered with a hand-held applicator, and you are able to resume your normal activities after treatment.
Are there costs associated with EPAT?
Conclusion
If you have tried several treatment options for your foot or ankle issue and are still in pain, EPAT treatment may be your next step. It is a low energy device that uses sound wave pulses to stimulate blood flow to the affected area and encourages healing.
For more details, call our office to make an appointment!