EPAT Specialist

Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute

Podiatrists & Foot Surgeons located in Clinton Township, Chesterfield, Fort Gratiot, East China Township, Shelby Township, Rochester & Macomb, MI

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology® (EPAT) is a state-of-the-art noninvasive treatment that's proven to relieve pain related to musculoskeletal injuries. The skilled podiatric medicine providers at Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute offer this evidence-based treatment because medical experts and patients around the world agree that EPAT is a powerful solution for pain, with no downtime at all.

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology® (EPAT)

What is EPAT?

EPAT is a type of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. This FDA-cleared pressure wave treatment fights pain by boosting circulation and metabolism to encourage healing and speed up your recovery.

With EPAT, your body replaces the damaged tissue that's causing your pain with new, healthy tissue over time. This solves the problem at its source and relieves your pain naturally. EPAT treatment often helps chronic and acute pain sufferers avoid surgery.

What kinds of conditions does EPAT treat?

EPAT treats acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, including a wide array of foot and ankle problems like:

  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Heel pain
  • Trigger points
  • Neuromas

EPAT is often a component of first-line treatment for acute issues like sports injuries because it complements other treatments to allow for a faster and fuller recovery. This treatment could also be ideal when you're suffering from foot or ankle pain that doesn't respond to other noninvasive treatments. Whether your pain comes from blood flow problems, trauma, overuse, or weakness, EPAT could be a great solution.

How does EPAT treatment work?

Your Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute provider applies conductive gel to the treatment area, which helps intensify EPAT power. Then, they gently move the EPAT applicator in circles over the painful area. This delivers pressure waves directly into your damaged tissue to start the healing process.

Treatments are painless, so you don’t need anesthesia. Because there are no incisions, EPAT leaves no scarring. Each EPAT treatment session takes only 7-10 minutes. You can resume normal activity immediately after your EPAT sessions at Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute.

How many EPAT treatments do I need?

Most patients need 3-5 EPAT treatment sessions, one week apart. More than 80% of EPAT patients experience significant — or even total — pain relief after this short series of sessions.

To boost the effectiveness of EPAT even more, your podiatric care providers at Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute may recommend supplemental treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

If your foot or ankle pain makes it difficult to enjoy life to the fullest, there's no reason to keep suffering. Call the Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute office nearest you, or click the online scheduler to book an EPAT consultation today.