Montana’s active lifestyle is great for overall health, but can take a toll on your feet and ankles. Whether you’re a weekend warrior hitting the trails or someone with a job that keeps you on your feet, podiatric pain can disrupt your plans and make just getting through the day more difficult. You’ve tried rest, ice, stretching, and other conservative treatments, but the pain either doesn’t go away or keeps coming back. Sound familiar?
At Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic, we understand how debilitating foot pain can be. Our board-certified Missoula podiatrist, Dr. Gregg Neibauer, brings advanced shockwave therapy to Big Sky Country to help Montana and northern Idaho patients overcome chronic foot conditions without surgery.
Here’s what you should know about this innovative treatment and how Dr. Neibauer uses it to help patients with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and other painful podiatric problems get back on their feet.
Understanding Shockwave Therapy and Its Benefits
Shockwave therapy, or Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), is an FDA-approved treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to target damaged tissue, stimulate blood flow, and kickstart your body’s natural healing processes. During treatment, a specialized device delivers controlled pulses to the affected area, creating microtraumas that increase circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, promote new blood vessel formation, and accelerate recovery.
This innovative technology offers numerous benefits compared to surgery and other traditional treatment approaches, including:
-
Lasting relief. Unlike pain medications that mask symptoms and provide temporary relief, shockwave therapy addresses underlying tissue damage and promotes genuine healing from within.
-
No downtime. EPAT allows you to return to your regular activities immediately, making it an ideal option for patients hoping to avoid the extensive downtime associated with surgery.
-
Noninvasive. Shockwave therapy relieves pain without needles, incisions, anesthesia, or the risk of complications.
-
Proven results. In clinical studies, EPAT shows success rates of 75 percent or higher for many common podiatric injuries and ailments.
Exploring the Conditions We Treat With EPAT
Dr. Neibauer uses shockwave therapy to treat wide-ranging foot and ankle conditions effectively. This advanced treatment is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions that haven’t responded to conservative care, such as:
-
Plantar fasciitis. One of the most common conditions we address with shockwave therapy is plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone and toes becomes inflamed. Symptoms include stabbing heel pain that is often worse in the morning or when resuming activity after rest.
-
Achilles tendonitis. Whether the tendonitis is at the heel attachment point or higher up in the tendon, EPAT can reduce inflammation, relieve pain and stiffness, and promote crucial recovery.
-
Heel spurs. Shockwave therapy helps break down bony calcium deposits that form on the heel bone while reducing associated inflammation and pain.
-
Morton’s neuroma. The thickening of tissue surrounding a nerve leading to your toes can make it feel like you’re standing on a pebble. EPAT reduces inflammation and helps relieve tingling, burning, and numbness in the ball of your foot.
-
Stress fractures. Often caused by repetitive stress and overuse, these tiny surface cracks benefit from the bone-stimulating effects of acoustic waves, which can accelerate the natural healing process and reduce recovery time.
Discover a Personalized Approach to Podiatry Care
At Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to foot care. Dr. Neibauer customizes your shockwave treatment plan based on your specific condition, pain level, healing response, and lifestyle, ensuring you receive the most effective treatment possible.
When appropriate, we also combine EPAT with other advanced treatments—such as custom orthotics, laser therapy, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections—to optimize your healing outcomes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy experienced, compassionate, patient-centered care throughout your treatment journey.
Here’s what you can expect.
-
Evaluation and diagnosis. Dr. Neibauer examines your feet, reviews your medical history, and may order diagnostic imaging to pinpoint the source of your pain. This thorough assessment ensures that shockwave therapy is appropriate for your condition.
-
Quick, comfortable sessions. You’ll sit comfortably while Dr. Neibauer applies a special gel to your skin and uses the shockwave device to deliver acoustic pulses to the treatment area. The treatment isn’t painful, with most patients describing the sensation as similar to a rubber band lightly snapping against the skin. Each session typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes, making EPAT an excellent option for Montanans with busy schedules.
-
Results. The number of shockwave therapy sessions you need depends on your condition and how your body responds to treatment. Most patients require three to five sessions, scheduled approximately a week apart. Many people begin experiencing pain relief after just the first or second EPAT session, with improvement continuing over several weeks.