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Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy in Burnaby

Struggling with chronic tendon pain that won't go away despite weeks of rest and medication? Our advanced shockwave therapy in Burnaby has helped local Burnaby patients achieve lasting pain relief without surgery, using proven acoustic wave therapy that targets the source of your pain, not just the symptoms.

  • Insurance covered treatment
  • Performed by a physiotherapist or chiropractor
  • Same day booking available
How IT WORKS

What shockwave therapy is

Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate your body's natural healing process. This revolutionary shock wave therapy:

  • Breaks down scar tissue and calcifications in tendons and muscles
  • Stimulates new blood vessel formation for faster tissue healing
  • Provides immediate pain relief for 91% of patients

Unlike temporary solutions, extracorporeal shock wave therapy addresses the underlying tissue damage causing your pain. Our Burnaby physiotherapy clinic uses the latest ESWT equipment that delivers therapeutic pressure waves penetrating up to 6cm deep, reaching injuries that ultrasound and other treatments can't.

Shockwave Therapy
Is this you?

Pain that has stopped responding

Shockwave is for tendon and soft tissue pain that has stalled. Most people book it after months of rest, stretching or exercise have taken them only so far. It is not a first line treatment, and your physiotherapist will say so if something else should come first. The problems below are what it is used for most.

Trigger points

Tight bands of muscle that keep referring pain, treated directly rather than only stretched.

Hamstring tendinopathy

Deep pain at the sit bone that gets worse with sitting, driving and running hills.

Shin splints

Pain along the inner shin from running or a jump in training load, where rest alone keeps failing.

Gluteal tendinopathy

Pain on the outside of the hip, often worse lying on that side or after a long walk.

Patellar tendinopathy

Pain at the front of the knee just below the kneecap, typical in jumping and change of direction sport.

Calcific shoulder

Calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons, where reaching overhead is painful and limited.

Achilles tendinopathy

Pain and thickening in the tendon above the heel, often after a jump in training volume.

Tennis elbow

Pain on the outside of the elbow that gripping and lifting make worse, common with repetitive load.

Plantar fasciitis

Heel pain that is worst on the first steps of the day and has not settled with rest or orthotics.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Your first shockwave session, step by step

What a session involves, how it feels, and how many treatments most conditions need before you notice a change.

Assessment

Your physiotherapist confirms shockwave is appropriate for your presentation and identifies the specific tissue to target, rather than treating the general area.

Locating the treatment area

The exact treatment point is found by palpation and your history, so the energy goes where the tissue is actually damaged.

The session

Gel is applied and the handpiece delivers acoustic waves for a few minutes per area. Intensity is set to what you can tolerate and adjusted as you go.

Between sessions and review

Some soreness afterwards is normal. You get guidance on loading the area, and progress is reviewed across the course rather than judged on one session.

What it costs

Our rates

Prices are subject to change.

First visit

Shockwave - Initial Treatment

45 min
$155
$120
22% off

Acoustic wave therapy to accelerate tissue healing and reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain.

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Follow up visit after initial

Shockwave - Subsequent Treatment

30 min
$100

Focused shockwave session continuing your treatment plan for the same area.

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Everything else

specialised treatments.

Specialised treatments show the initial rate. Subsequent rates and the complete list of appointment types are on the rates page and when you book in Jane. Prices are subject to change.

After a car accident

ICBC covers shockwave therapy

Shockwave is performed by your physiotherapist or chiropractor, so it is covered by those ICBC visits. ICBC pre-approves 25 of them when you start within twelve weeks of your crash date.

25 Sessions
Pre-approved by ICBC
12 Weeks
To start treatment after your crash date
Covered by your ICBC physiotherapy or chiropractic visits
Initial
45 min
No Cost to Patient
Follow up
30 min
No Cost to Patient

Direct billing available with most major insurers

What patients say

4.9 stars, 300+ reviews.

★★★★★

Their shockwave therapy drastically improved my condition in 3 sessions. Thanks, Sing.

Expert Care

Your care team.

Book with whoever fits your schedule. Your notes follow you, so seeing a different practitioner does not mean starting again.

Jeremy Chow

Jeremy Chow

Physiotherapist

English

Combines manual therapy, soft tissue work, dry needling and exercise, built around what you are trying to get back to.

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Laurence Chin

Laurence Chin

Physiotherapist

English and Cantonese

Works with paddlers and runners, and with anyone who would rather understand their recovery than be handed a plan.

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Sing Ng

Sing Ng

Physiotherapist

English and Mandarin

Focuses on headache and jaw pain, combining the Watson Headache protocol with manual therapy and clinical Pilates.

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Anna Vu

Anna Vu

Physiotherapist

English

Came to physiotherapy from kinesiology, so education leads. Builds confidence through exercise you can keep doing at home.

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Bryanne Chang

Bryanne Chang

Physiotherapist

English

A former competitive athlete in wushu and dragon boating. Combines manual therapy, exercise prescription and plain explanation.

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Why BLVD

Let's get you moving again.

Everything your recovery needs under one roof. From hands on physiotherapy and massage therapy to chiropractic, shockwave, acupuncture and kinesiology, our registered practitioners help you recover faster, move better, and rebuild strength.

  • Insurance covered rehabilitation services
  • Direct billing with ICBC and major insurance providers
  • Private one to one sessions with personalized treatment plans

4.9 from 300+ reviews

Common questions

Questions we hear most.

Does the evidence support shockwave?

For calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder it is good. Trials show shockwave breaks down the calcium deposit and improves pain and function, with the benefit still there at six months. The strongest results come from higher energy protocols.

For tendon problems such as plantar fasciitis the honest answer is that it helps, but by less than the marketing around shockwave suggests, and the better run trials tend to show smaller effects than the weaker ones.

That is why it is used here alongside loading exercise rather than as a treatment on its own, and why your physiotherapist will tell you if it is not the right tool for what you came in with.

Is shockwave therapy painful?

Most patients rate discomfort at 5/10 or less during treatment. Your physiotherapy specialist adjusts the pressure intensity based on your comfort level, ensuring effective shockwave treatments within your tolerance. The therapeutic pressure feels similar to deep tissue massage.

Can I combine shockwave therapy with other treatments?

Yes! Shockwave therapy works exceptionally well with manual therapy, corrective exercises, ultrasound, and other physiotherapy modalities for accelerated tissue healing. Our sports medicine approach integrates multiple treatment types for optimal results.

Are there any side effects from shockwave therapy?

Side effects are minimal and temporary, including mild bruising, slight swelling, or tenderness lasting 24-48 hours. Unlike invasive medical procedures, shockwave therapy patients can return to daily activities immediately - no downtime or extensive rehabilitation required

How many shockwave therapy sessions will I need?

Most conditions require three to six shockwave treatments spaced one week apart. Our physiotherapy team assesses patient progress after each session, with 70% of patients reporting significant pain reduction after just three treatments. The exact number depends on your condition type and severity.

How much does shockwave therapy cost in Burnaby?

Shockwave therapy sessions at our clinic typically range from $100-150 per treatment. Many extended health insurance plans cover physiotherapy services, and we offer direct billing for your medical insurance convenience. Contact your provider to confirm coverage for "physiotherapy treatments" or "ESWT services."

Where to find us

Find us in North Burnaby.

Third floor of Akimbo, a short walk from Gilmore Station.

Now open

North Burnaby

Where4279 Dawson St #301, Burnaby, BC V5C 0N5

TransitShort walk from Gilmore Station

Emailhello@blvdwellness.ca

Phone(604) 364-1626

Get directions →

Architect's render of Akimbo, the building we are in.

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