SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
aka
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Frequently Asked Questions
Shockwave Therapy: Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT).
This treatment is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment method cleared by the FDA for chronic heel pain associated with Achilles Tendonitis, Heel Spurs, or Plantar Fasciitis.
This technology is based on a unique set of pressure waves that stimulate your metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.
This FDA-cleared technology was developed in Europe and is currently used around the globe. The beneficial effects are often experienced after only 3 treatments. Some patients report immediate pain relief after the treatment, although it can take up to 4 weeks for pain relief. Treatments eliminate pain and restore full mobility, thus improving your quality of life. More than 80% of patients treated report to be pain free and/or have significant pain reduction.
Low frequency sound waves, also known as shock waves, are aimed at the injured area through a hand held applicator.
The shock waves penetrate deep into the soft tissues, stimulating blood flow, accelerating the body’s natural healing process.
Treatment sessions take approximately 5-10 minutes depending on the disorder being treated.
Generally, 4 treatment sessions are necessary at weekly intervals.
During treatments, patients may experience some discomfort which may continue for a few days.
It is normal to have some residual pain after intense exercise or a full day of work.
Shockwave Therapy (EPAT) procedure eliminates pain and restores full mobility, thus improving your overall quality of life. Over 80% of patients treated report to be pain free and/or have significant pain reduction.
- Non-invasive
- NO anesthesia required
- NO side effects
- NO incision so no risk of infection
- NO hospital stay
- NO Faster healing
- NO missed work or school
- NO down time
- Actually heals the tissues not just mask the symptoms
The non-invasive EPAT treatment has virtually NO risks or side effects.
In some cases, patients may experience some minor discomfort which may continue for a few days. It is normal to have some residual pain after intense exercise or a full day of work.
The beneficial effects of Shockwave Therapy (EPAT) are often experienced after only 3 treatments. Some patients report immediate pain relief after their first treatment, although it can take up to 4 weeks for pain relief to begin.
Insurance typically does not cover Shockwave Therapy.
For most patients, Shockwave Therapy is an elective out-of-pocket cost and is much less than you would expect.
- Some patients use their employer’s “Flexible Spending” or “Flexible Payment Medical Savings” Accounts to cover the out-of-pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- We also accept CareCredit
Stop heel pain!
If you are experiencing heel pain, Shockwave Therapy (EPAT) could be right for you!
Take the next step toward happy feet and contact us today!
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Finding relief from heel pain with Shockwave Therapy (EPAT)
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Studies
Foot & Ankle
- Two emerging technologies for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciopathy. Langer PR. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (2015)
- Ultrasonographic evaluation of low energy extracorporeal pulse activated therapy (EPAT) for chronic plantar fasciitis. Gordon R, Wong C, Crawford EJ. Foot & Ankle International (2012)
- Comparison between extracorporeal shockwave therapy, placebo ESWT and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy for the treatment of chronic plantar heel pain in the athlete. Saxena A, Fournier M, Gerdesmeyer L, Gollwitzer H. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal (2012)
- Extra-corporeal pulsed-activated therapy (“EPAT” sound wave) for Achilles tendinopathy: a prospective study. Saxena A, Ramdath S Jr, O’Halloran P, Gerdesmeyer L, Gollwitzer H. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (2011)
- Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, Maier M, Weil L Jr, Weil L Sr, Russlies M, Stienstra J, Scurran B, Fedder K, Diehl P, Lohrer H, Henne M, Gollwitzer H. The American Journal of Sports Medicine (2008)
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic painful heel syndrome: a prospective, double blind, randomized trial assessing the efficacy of a new electromagnetic shock wave device. Gollwitzer H, Diehl P, von Korff A, Rahlfs VW, Gerdesmeyer L. Journal of Foot Ankle Surgery (2007)
- Comparison of radial versus focused extracorporeal shock waves in plantar fasciitis using functional measures. Lohrer H, Nauck T, Dorn-Lange NV, Schöll J, Vester JC. Foot Ankle International (2010)
- Successful treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with two sessions of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Ibrahim Ibrahim M, Donatelli R, Schmitz C, Hellman M, Buxbaum F. Foot & Ankle International (2010)
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic painful heel syndrome: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial assessing the efficacy of a new electromagnetic shock wave device. Gollwitzer H, Diehl P, von Korff A, Rahlfs VW, Gerdesmeyer L. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (2007)
- Ultrasonographic evaluation at 6-month follow-up of plantar fasciitis after extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Hammer DS, Adam F, Kreutz A, Rupp S, Kohn D, Seil R. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery (2003)
- Preliminary Results on the Safety and Efficacy of ESWT for Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. Alvarez R. Foot & Ankle International (2002)
Achilles
- High-energy focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy reduces pain in plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose’s disease). Knobloch K, Vogt PM. BioMed Central Research Notes (2012)
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves the walking ability of patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. Serizawa F, Ito K, Kawamura K, Tsuchida K, Hamada Y, Zukeran T, Shimizu T, Akamatsu D, Hashimoto M, Goto H, Watanabe T, Sato A, Shimokawa H, Satomi S. Japanese Circulation Journal (2012)
- Extra-corporeal pulsed-activated therapy (“EPAT” sound wave) for Achilles tendinopathy: a prospective study Saxena A, Ramdath S Jr, O’Halloran P, Gerdesmeyer L, Gollwitzer H. The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery (2011)
- Eccentric loading versus eccentric loading plus shock-wave treatment for midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N. American Journal of Sports Medicine (2009)
- Eccentric loading compared with shock wave treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized, controlled trial. Rompe JD, Furia J, Maffulli N. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2008)
- Eccentric loading, shock-wave treatment, or a wait-and-see policy for tendinopathy of the main body of tendon Achillis: a randomized controlled trial. Rompe JD, Nafe B, Furia JP, Maffulli N. American Journal of Sports Medicine (2007)
- High-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a treatment for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Furia JP. The American Journal of Sports Medicine (2006)
- Shock wave therapy for chronic Achilles tendon pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Costa ML, Shepstone L, Donell ST, Thomas TL. Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research (2005)
