Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT) is an instrument that can help patients with relief from a variety of musculoskeletal pains and injuries. This non-invasive procedure requires only 3-5 treatments that last about 10 minutes. Clinically proven and approved by the FDA, EPAT improves blood circulation, clears damaged tissues, and reinforces the body’s healing process. With essentially no risk factors or side effect, this treatment is a home run!

How does EPAT work?

Your clinician rubs the sonicator (about the size of a microphone) to send sonic, acoustic pressure waves into the pain-affected area on the foot. A certain gel will also accompany the instrument to improve the conduction of the sound waves through the skin. This sonication gently ‘damages’ the soft tissue in the immediate area. However, this minimal effect from the treatment does not actually injure you, but rather does just enough damage to induce a healing response in the body. For clarity, a comparable technique to this is simply lifting weights in the gym. During a workout, muscles are forced to exert extreme efforts that may not be initially a healthy process, but signals the body to grow additional muscle mass. For EPAT, the blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, tendons and tissues receive a ‘workout’ that creates an area of cell growth and healing.

What is a musculoskeletal injury? Should I receive EPAT?

A musculoskeletal injury corresponds to any issue causing pain or discomfort in the muscles, bones, ligaments, and/or tendons. Although diagnostically, the question of whether something is musculoskeletal problem may be unclear, a majority of all injuries of the foot lie within the category. As a result, EPAT has the miraculous ability to help a wide variety of patients including those with:

• Ankle, foot, and toe pain
• Achilles pain
• Neuromas
• Bone spurs
• Overuse of the same area on the foot
• Trauma
• Sprains
• Fractures

Your local podiatrist or orthopedic physician will be your best resource for questions regarding your symptoms.

Why is EPAT so special?

In addition to serving so many types of injuries, EPAT is a quick, safe, and non-invasive procedure. Often times, the therapy acts as an alternative to surgery. Therefore, you will not have to be put under anesthesia, and are at no risk for scarring, infection, or post-operative issues. Also, after EPAT, you can return to nearly all your daily activities immediately. Within only five weeks, most patients feel complete pain relief! So let’s get you into Indy South Foot & Ankle and get you pain free.