Living with chronic pain—whether it’s plantar fasciitis, Achilles or heel pain, or shoulder tendinopathy—can feel like a never-ending battle.
For many in Ottawa, or Waterloo, popping pills like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) or corticosteroids has been the go-to solution.
But is there a better way?
At FocusWave Clinic, our extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) offers a non-invasive, root-cause treatment that outperforms traditional medications, helping you reclaim mobility and live pain-free.
Let’s compare shockwave therapy vs. pills and show why ESWT, backed by our team of experts, is the smarter choice for chronic pain.
Why Pills Fall Short for Chronic Pain
Oral medications like NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or even prescription opioids are often prescribed for chronic pain conditions like tendinopathy (ICD-10 M77.9). While they may provide temporary relief, they come with significant drawbacks:
- Temporary Relief, Not Healing: NSAIDs reduce inflammation but don’t repair damaged tendons or tissues. Pain often returns, requiring ongoing use—costing $500–$2,000/year in prescriptions.
- Side Effects: Long-term NSAID use risks stomach ulcers, kidney damage, or heart issues. Opioids carry addiction risks, with 10–20% of chronic pain patients facing dependency.
- High Costs: Beyond medication costs, frequent doctor visits and potential hospitalizations for side effects add up, with claims averaging $5,000–$10,000/year for complex cases.
- No Root-Cause Fix: Pills mask symptoms, leaving underlying tissue damage unaddressed, leading to worsening conditions like tendon degeneration.
A FocusWave Patient’s Story: One of our Ottawa patients, a 45-year-old military veteran, spent years on NSAIDs for plantar fasciitis, costing $1,500 annually with only partial relief. Side effects like stomach pain led to additional medications, turning him into a “pill factory.” After switching to ESWT at FocusWave Clinic, he saw 70% pain reduction in just 5 sessions, avoiding surgery and cutting long-term costs.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
ESWT uses electromagnetic shockwaves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues, targeting the root cause of chronic pain.
Delivered with our Health Canada-approved Storz SD1 Duolith system, ESWT promotes:
- Tissue Regeneration: Increases blood flow and collagen production, repairing tendons and reducing inflammation.
- Pain Reduction: 80-90% of patients report significant relief after 5–10 sessions, with results lasting months to years.
- Non-Invasive Safety: No surgery, no drugs, minimal side effects (e.g., temporary soreness in <5% of cases).
Expert Oversight: At FocusWave Clinic, our treatments are prescribed by our MD and administered by certified Registered Nurses, ensuring safety and efficacy compliant with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) standards.
Shockwave vs. Pills: A Side-by-Side Comparison
|
Factor |
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) |
Pills (NSAIDs, Opioids) |
|
Effectiveness |
80-90% pain reduction; repairs tissue. |
Temporary relief; no tissue repair. |
|
Cost |
$1,500–$2,800 for 5–10 sessions. |
$500–$2,000/year, ongoing. |
|
Side Effects |
Minimal (e.g., mild soreness). |
Ulcers, kidney issues, addiction risk. |
|
Duration |
5–10 sessions, lasting results. |
Daily use, dependency risk. |
|
Insurance/VAC |
Up to 80% covered; full VAC coverage for veterans. |
Partially covered, high co-pays. |
|
|
Why Shockwave Therapy Wins:
Unlike pills, ESWT addresses the cause—damaged tissue—reducing long-term costs and dependency.
For veterans with service-related pain, VAC may cover 100% of the package price, with no out-of-pocket costs post-approval.
FocusWave Clinic’s Chronic Pain Solutions
At FocusWave Clinic, conveniently located in the centre of the city in Ottawa, and in Waterloo, we offer tailored ESWT packages to fit your needs:
- Relief Package ($1,500): 5 sessions to kickstart healing for tendinopathy (e.g., plantar fasciitis, Achilles issues).
- Regen Package ($2,500): 10 sessions for sustained pain relief and tissue regeneration
Why Choose Us?
- Experience: In 5 years, FocusWave Clinic has administered over 4200 treatments and delivered 15 Million + shockwaves into local patients.
- Proven Results: 80-90% of patients see significant pain reduction after 5–10 sessions, backed by clinical studies.
- Insurance-Friendly: Up to 80% covered by private plans with our MD-signed Medical Necessity Letters. Veterans may enjoy full VAC coverage.
- Expert Care: Our certified RNs deliver ESWT under our MD’s supervision, using Health Canada-approved technology.
- Holistic Approach: We pair ESWT with lifestyle advice (e.g., exercise, diet) to maximize recovery.
Take the First Step to Pain-Free Living
Chronic pain doesn’t have to define your life.
Unlike pills, ESWT at FocusWave Clinic offers a lasting solution by healing the source of your pain.
Book a $199 trial session (deductible from any package) or a free consultation today!
Links:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029898/
https://focuswaveclinic.com/science-of-shockwave-therapy/
https://focuswaveclinic.com/shockwave-therapy-erectile-dysfunction/











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