Find out how shockwave therapy could eliminate chronic heel pain.

Dealing with heel pain is certainly frustrating but luckily some people are able to manage their symptoms until the problem goes away. But what if the problem doesn’t go away? If our Chicago podiatrists have diagnosed you with chronic plantar fasciitis or tendonitis and the symptoms aren’t going away or responding to at-home care then it might be time to consider extracorporeal pulse activation treatment (EPAT).

What is EPAT?

EPAT is a non-invasive treatment option that uses shockwave therapy to treat chronic forms of heel pain caused by tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, the two most common causes of chronic heel pain. EPAT technology targets the inflamed and damaged areas to trigger the body’s natural healing response to improve circulation and blood flow to the areas, regenerate healthy tissue and to speed up the healing process. This is a great option for those patients who want to avoid surgery.

What should I expect from this procedure?

EPAT is an amazingly fast treatment, which is a benefit to many of our patients who lead busy lives. There are also no anesthesia or needles involved in getting this treatment, so it’s completely non-invasive.

Does EPAT hurt?

EPAT uses special technology that sends pulses of energy to the areas of the foot causing you pain. EPAT should not be painful (after all, it’s trying to alleviate your pain not cause it). Some patients report a repetitive tapping sensation in their feet during the session, but you shouldn't feel discomfort.

When will I see results?

Some patients notice a reduction in their heel pain after just one session while others may experience pain relief after around four weeks of treatment. It’s usually around the third EPAT session that patients notice the biggest difference in their symptoms.

How many EPAT sessions will I need?

On average, a patient will need to undergo anywhere from 3-5 sessions spaced out over several weeks. During your consultation, our Chicago foot doctors will discuss your treatment plan and how often you will need to come in for EPAT.

Are you interested in learning more about shockwave therapy to improve the health and function of your feet in Chicago, IL? If you are ready to finally get back to your daily workouts then call Affiliated Podiatrists today to schedule an evaluation. Let’s find out if EPAT therapy is right for you.

Find out what EPAT therapy is and if it can effectively treat your foot problems.

When our Chicago podiatrists at Affiliated Podiatrists talk about EPAT, we are referring to Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), an FDA-approved non-surgical therapy used to treat certain types of foot pain. Find out how EPAT works and whether it’s right for you and your feet.

What is EPAT?

EPAT stands for Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment and this non-invasive treatment is designed to treat both acute and chronic injuries by allowing your Chicago, IL podiatrist to direct low-frequency sound waves to the injured area of your foot. Through these sound waves, we can increase blood flow and stimulate the body’s natural healing response to help facilitate faster healing.

What conditions can EPAT treat?

EPAT offers the best results to those patients dealing with pain caused by soft tissue injuries of the foot or ankle including,

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Acute and chronic muscle pain
• Myofascial trigger points

What should I expect from my EPAT sessions? How many will I need?

Each EPAT session is usually performed in less than 15 minutes with the average number of treatments being three. A new session will be performed every seven to 10 days.

Before treatment begins an ultrasound gel will be applied to the injured area. Then a small device, from which sound waves are generated, is directed at the region. The acoustic energy tenderizes the chronically irritated tissue, and stimulates blood flow to aid healing.

When will I start to notice relief from my symptoms?

Some patients report feeling immediate relief from pain while for others it may take up to four weeks to experience the relief they want. Overall, about 80 percent of people who’ve had EPAT report either being pain-free or experiencing a significant reduction in pain.

Millions of people all over the world have experienced relief through EPAT and you can too! Call your Chicago foot doctors at Affiliated Podiatrists today at (773) 202-8800 to schedule a consultation. Say goodbye to foot pain once and for all!

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technique or EPAT is a treatment that Dr. Joel Feder and Dr. Mark Feder in Chicago provide for their podiatric patients. They are here to answer your questions about this exciting technique.

What is EPAT?

EPAT is a non-invasive treatment method that is used to treat tendon and muscle pain or injuries. This is accomplished by stimulating blood circulation which speeds up the healing process. EPAT has been approved for use by the FDA.

What Problems can EPAT Treat?

Some of the disorders EPAT can help with are:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Heel Spurs
• Hallux Limitus
• Sports Injuries
• Bone non-union
• Bursitis
• Tibialis anterior syndrome
• How is EPAT done?

EPAT uses a device that produces pressures waves to the painful area to slowly regenerate tissue. A gel is applied to the targeted area and then the device is moved over it in a circular motion.

How long does a EPAT treatment take?

A treatment session takes about fifteen minutes. Generally it takes three sessions, each roughly a week apart, to get their desired results.

What are the Results of EPAT?

Some people experience immediate pain relief after one session. For others, it may take up to four weeks to begin to feel pain relief. Long term results are showing that pain is eliminated and full mobility is restored in most patients.

Is EPAT Safe?

EPAT is approved by the FDA. When used by a qualified medical professional there are virtually no side effects or risks.

What are some of the Benefits of EPAT?

• Full weight bearing is restored
• Cost-effective
• No surgery, no incision, no anesthesia
• Effective, fast, and safe
• Can treat both feet or ankles at the same time
• Time off work is minimized
• Research is showing over 80% successful outcomes

At Affiliated Podiatrists, LTD in the Six Corners Medical Center in Chicago, Dr. Marc Feder and Dr. Joel Feder are excited to offer this service to their patients. They care about getting you back on your feet as soon as possible! Call us today at (773) 202-8800 for an appointment!

As residents of Chicago, we are fed up with the winter that has befallen our city.  During our extremely long winter, many of us have experienced some foot problems. Regardless of its cause, pain can take a toll on daily tasks.  In our Chicago office, Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment, or EPAT, is available to help treat pain that impairs mobility stemming from:

• Muscle
• Tendon
• Fascia