The Sound of Healing: Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
The Sound of Healing: Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
By Kurt Rode, DPM | West Hartford Podiatry Associates
For podiatrists throughout Connecticut, there’s nothing quite like the sound of a relieved patient. Now, with a new technology called EPAT, the “sound of healing” has taken on an exciting new meaning.
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) uses acoustics to stimulate healing and maintain activity for patients safely, effectively, and without incision. I’ve provided a brief overview of this groundbreaking technology below, so read on!
What is EPAT?
EPAT is an advanced, non-invasive solution that employs a unique set of acoustic pressure waves to stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation, and accelerate the healing process in musculoskeletal pathologies. This soundwave energy interacts with the body to manage pain and help patients remain mobile and active during recovery.
This treatment is a welcome alternative to surgery and other traditional treatments. Other modalities often involve heat or another protocol that places more stress on a patient, calling for complete cessation of activity. EPAT eliminates the need for these stressors, reducing the amount of time needed to heal completely.
EPAT isn’t just effective, it’s also safe, requiring neither invasive measures nor anesthesia. Studies have shown that it can be used over growth plates with no evidence of early growth plate closure.
While it is effective in most situations, there are a few contraindications. Avoid using it over a known malignancy and consider location and type of treatment in patients on anticoagulants due to bleeding risk.
A Full range of benefits for patients
We expect patients to be as excited as our fellow podiatrists when learning about the Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology. They may not need surgery, which tends to have a long recovery period and may prevent them from participating in activities they enjoy. Instead, they are able and encouraged to remain active during and after treatment periods. As a rule, there may be some discomfort when receiving EPAT treatment, but no pain. Once therapy ends, the discomfort dissipates and patients may often leave feeling better than when they came in. Most patients tolerate EPAT well, often noting faster recovery from injury.
I have seen the positive impact of EPAT in our practice. I have a few marathon patients who it helped so much that they now come in before a new race for a “tune up.” They mentioned that they bounce back sooner and have had no relapse in the area that was treated.
Although we have had EPAT patients return, it’s not for what they think. Our team has noticed that heel pain patients come back stating their heel pain has returned. Consistently, they find that their EPAT-treated heel is still pain free, but now it is the contralateral side that is affected. Luckily for them, we already know of an effective treatment.
a breakthrough for podiatry
EPAT has the potential to revolutionize podiatric medicine even further. It allows us to offer our patients a new modality with proven treatment records which can reach a wider patient base. This technology keeps Connecticut’s providers innovating and learning about better ways to support our clientele while keeping us at the forefront of musculoskeletal innovation.
Additionally, EPAT is opening doors for other non-invasive podiatric technology. At West Hartford Podiatric Associates, we are awaiting our Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) unit. This machine uses high-energy electromagnetic radiation to provide a deeper penetrating treatment field. Whereas EPAT provides local therapy, EMTT offers global relief, making it incredibly promising for chronic pain, arthritis, and tendinosis.
The future of podiatry in Connecticut
Our practice is proud to be breaking ground for our peers in Connecticut podiatry. We were one of the first practices to adopt EPAT technology and have not looked back. Already it has allowed us to provide better treatment — keeping patients active while helping them get better sooner and avoid invasive treatments.
This technology can have far-reaching effects for our peers as it is an evidence-based treatment option that works great for several musculoskeletal conditions. If our experience is anything to go by, EPAT could give our colleagues and their patients reliable results, helping provide better care with less stress and fewer complications.
To join in these exciting times for our field of medicine, I encourage you to learn more about CPMA. Our state’s association is a hub for connecting with fellow podiatrists, learning about the latest technological and legislative advancements, and taking advantage of fantastic offline and online presentations.
