Science and technology have come together for the good of your feet. EPAT® (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment) is now an FDA approved technology proven to increase the rate of healing for painful foot and ankle ailments.
EPAT® works by increasing the rate of healing for soft tissue injuries, and relieving the more common and painful plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Essentially EPAT® enhances blood circulation, accelerates the healing process causing damaged tissue to gradually regenerate and heal. Specifically the machine delivers non-invasive low frequency (8-12 Hz) acoustic sound waves into the area. The sound waves act as pressure, and penetrate deep through your soft tissue. The energy triggers the cells in the soft tissue to release certain biochemicals that stimulate and literally intensify the body’s natural healing process – in part by increasing the nutrient flow to the chronically injured area.
The EPAT® machine is small and has an attachment that looks similar to an ultrasound wand.
Typically treatments occur once a week for a series of 3 to 6 treatments. Patients can expect each treatment to take approximately 5 to 10 minutes depending of course on the total number and size of areas.
Typically treatment is NOT painful. Some patients may experience some slight discomfort.
Many patients notice a substantial and immediate lessening of their pain. In other patients, the pain relief may take longer.
If you are a good candidate for treatment, our doctors Dr. Frank Smith and Dr. Michael Klein will highly recommend it for you your foot and ankle issues. EPAT® is noninvasive, and has a very high success rate, making it a great alternative to traditional methods. Traditional methods that include surgery- which can lead to risk of infection and scar tissue. Surgery also requires anesthesia and longer times “off your feet” for recovery.