A primary benefit of EPAT treatment is that no drugs or other synthetic elements are required to achieve these results. EPAT is merely stimulating healing responses that already exist.
What Can EPAT Treat?
EPAT tends to provide the best results when treating many soft tissue injuries. Common conditions can include:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Ankle Sprains
- Achilles Tendinitis
Specific sports injuries may also be very responsive to EPAT treatment.
At Joel Foster, DPM Podiatry, we may recommend EPAT to patients seeking relief when surgery is becoming a more likely option they may need to take. In some cases, EPAT has been able to keep a patient from having to undergo a surgical procedure.
However, EPAT will not always be a perfect fit for every situation. The circumstances surrounding each patient’s needs are different, and other options may be preferable or more likely to be effective. We only make recommendations for treatment once we have had the opportunity to evaluate each condition and case.
What Should I Expect During an EPAT Session in Lee's Summit?
A course of EPAT therapy is typically scheduled over several sessions. The treatment plan may span several weeks.
You'll need to come in for each session, which typically lasts less than 20 minutes. Your overall session length may differ depending on what is being treated and its severity.
There is nothing you need to prepare for before each session. You will simply have to lie back and relax. We will apply a gel to the treatment area so the EPAT device can make better contact with the skin and then begin to apply the pressure waves.
Some minor discomfort can be expected during the session. Many patients describe it as being snapped by a rubber band. It is typically not severely painful, but do not hesitate to tell us if it hurts more than you can endure! We can adjust the treatment if necessary.
After each session, we might recommend taking it a bit easy for the rest of the day and keeping your foot elevated when possible. Otherwise, there is nothing else you need to consider for aftercare.
Find Relief From Persistent Pain at Our Lee's Summit Podiatrist Office
EPAT is one potential route to effective relief for patients with consistent foot or heel pain. Other treatments are also available, and we always aim to recommend a plan that best meets your individual needs.
