EPAT

[The other Snake]

P.T. wants to give this a go. Anyone had it?

EPAT (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology) shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal pain that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing. It works by improving blood circulation, breaking down scar tissue, and accelerating healing by stimulating cell turnover and the release of growth factors. While a typical course of treatment involves 3 to 5 sessions lasting 10 to 15 minutes, the total cost can range from $450 to $750 or more, as insurance often does not cover it.

Gotta se how the insurance feels about it.

 

[genetic freak]

I did on my IT band many years ago. I didn't notice any difference.

 

[Joliver]

You can buy an EPAT/ESWT machine for less than $1,500 bucks. Probably a whole lot less. Just make sure it gets up to >25hz and at least 5 bar. It's basically a percussion machine with a pneumatic piston.

How those scumbags charge what they charge is beyond me.

In my experience it's been pretty decent. ESWT is the focused mode of EPAT. It's a bit more effective than the basic radial mode.

I noticed a lasting difference in about 4 weeks. It does provide some relief immediately because you're basically beating the shit out of your bones (slight exaggeration). So there's some numbing there. I guess.

I was always a wide squatter so my hips are trash at 45 years old. Between red and near infrared light therapy, estim for the sciatica, and EPAT, and occasional use of tb500/bpc157/ghk mix with a few doses of celebrex/Tylenol a few times a month, I've been able to continue in sport and lift.

Word of caution on the celebrex: it's amazing, but weakens tendons and ligaments. I got a bit too reliant on it and stopped the other stuff...and after 6 months of daily use exploded my shoulder doing 65% on the bench. Then tore a ligament in my thumb 6 weeks later using a zip tie, of all things. Shit makes you fragile as hell...like all cox inhibitors tend to do at some level.

And, it seems like I'm just buying time. Feel like I'm only prolonging the hip replacement.

I wanted to make it to 55 before I got the robot hip. I just didn't want a replacement this early since the implants tend to wear out in 15 or so years in active people...or so I was told. And insurance isn't likely to cover a second robot hip because I still do stupid shit. But this last bit of info is completely anecdotal. Could totally be misinformed.

The aforementioned protocol I used took my daily constant pain from a level 4 to a 2 and eliminated the instability and instantaneous pain of stepping down or turning on the impacted leg.

Hip pain ruins your quality of life. Hope this helps. Godspeed, sir. Reach out if I can help.

 

[The other Snake]

@Joliver

Thanks for that info. I do have to check on the insurance coverage. It's not covered, it's a no-go.

You and I are in the same boat, it's all come home to roost. I'm doing the math also on the hip replacement and working it backward. If I got one soon at 60 y.o. and had it for 15 years, next one would be at 75 y.o. assuming I'm in good enough physical condition to get off the table when they are done.

At 50 y.o. I came to terms with not squatting the big weight. Last year I took out squats of any kind. Still haven't been about to swallow that pill. Problem is, Squat are a drug for me. Like an alcoholic saying I'll only have one beer, I tell myself if I could just do 225x10, I'd be happy. Then the 25's get put on and replaced with 45s down the line and the process is repeated.

 

[genetic freak]

Yep, it is hard to give up on the squats. They do absolutely nothing for my physique anymore, probably one of the worst exercises I could do for legs, but I just love throwing a ton of weight on my back and going ass to grass. It's a rush when the entire gym stops to watch you squat.

 

[The other Snake]

I checked with the insurance. As long as it's getting done through PT, it's covered.

I heard it's not a lot of fun. Who wants to hold my hand?

 

[Joliver]

@Joliver

Thanks for that info. I do have to check on the insurance coverage. It's not covered, it's a no-go.

You and I are in the same boat, it's all come home to roost. I'm doing the math also on the hip replacement and working it backward. If I got one soon at 60 y.o. and had it for 15 years, next one would be at 75 y.o. assuming I'm in good enough physical condition to get off the table when they are done.

At 50 y.o. I came to terms with not squatting the big weight. Last year I took out squats of any kind. Still haven't been about to swallow that pill. Problem is, Squat are a drug for me. Like an alcoholic saying I'll only have one beer, I tell myself if I could just do 225x10, I'd be happy. Then the 25's get put on and replaced with 45s down the line and the process is repeated.

Yeah man. 18 months ago, I gave up on deads. I thought..."i can still do it...but I don't want to hurt, but I still can." Then a few months pass. I settle for box squats because the squats just hurts. "I could still do it...but I don't want to hurt." Then...they came for the bench. Thousands of dollars in surgery later....I can't do it.

Lost all three of them. Bummer.

Father time and mother nature....and STILL the undisputed champions of the worrrrrrld.

I'll probably end up starting a thread on it, but eventually I'm going to have to reverse engineer some sort of lower program that isn't just isolation movements.

Just have to figure out new and innovative ways to stay in the game.

Getting old...0/10. Would not recommend.

 

[genetic freak]

Yeah man. 18 months ago, I gave up on deads. I thought..."i can still do it...but I don't want to hurt, but I still can." Then a few months pass. I settle for box squats because the squats just hurts. "I could still do it...but I don't want to hurt." Then...they came for the bench. Thousands of dollars in surgery later....I can't do it.

Lost all three of them. Bummer.

Father time and mother nature....and STILL the undisputed champions of the worrrrrrld.

I'll probably end up starting a thread on it, but eventually I'm going to have to reverse engineer some sort of lower program that isn't just isolation movements.

Just have to figure out new and innovative ways to stay in the game.

Getting old...0/10. Would not recommend.

Have you tried B Stance squats? I prescribe these to clients who have hip issues and most can actually squat more with the B Stance than they can with a regular foot position. Can be done on the leg press and hack squat as well.

 

[Joliver]

Have you tried B Stance squats? I prescribe these to clients who have hip issues and most can actually squat more with the B Stance than they can with a regular foot position. Can be done on the leg press and hack squat as well.

Great advice. I'll try this. I greatly appreciate the advice.

I'll have to experiment with it. Left leg is the "good" side. I can kneel down and put my chin on my knee cap. The right side must track out (external rotation). It's my only range of motion. Somewhat like short pyriformis syndrome.

Feel like the B stance may work because it allows the left side to balance me as I enter the only allowable rom for the right leg. Seems to make sense.

High quality input. Appreciate that.