When I stepped into Dr. Jacqueline Hebert’s clinic yesterday, the atmosphere was tense. The director of Veteran Rehab Associates (VRA) wasn’t just concerned – she was fighting for her patients.
“Veterans deserve better than this,” she told me, her voice steady but passionate. “We’ve seen remarkable success with shockwave therapy for chronic pain, and now these men and women who served our country face losing access to a treatment that works.”
For the past six years, VRA has provided shockwave therapy to Edmonton veterans suffering from chronic musculoskeletal conditions. This non-invasive treatment uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissue, offering relief when other methods fail. Until recently, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) covered this treatment without question.
That changed this spring. VAC announced it would limit coverage for shockwave therapy, citing concerns about evidence supporting its effectiveness for certain conditions.
“They’re making this decision based on outdated research,” explained Dr. Hebert, showing me a folder of recent clinical studies. “The science has evolved significantly, especially for conditions common among veterans like chronic tendinopathies and myofascial pain.”
The impact on local veterans has been immediate and concerning. James Forster, a 58-year-old veteran living in west Edmonton, credits shockwave therapy with giving him his life back after a service-related shoulder injury.
“Before I started treatment, I couldn’t lift my arm above my shoulder. I couldn’t sleep through the night because of the pain,” Forster shared during our interview at a local coffee shop. “Now I can play with my grandkids again. What happens if they take this away from me?”
According to Alberta Health Services data, approximately 14,000 veterans live in the Edmonton area, with nearly 30% reporting chronic pain conditions. For many, conventional treatments like physiotherapy and medication provide insufficient relief.
“What’s particularly frustrating is that shockwave therapy often works when nothing else does,” said Dr. Michael Leong, a pain specialist at the University of Alberta Hospital who refers patients to VRA. “It’s not experimental – it’s an established treatment with a growing body of evidence supporting its use.”
The Veterans Ombudsman office confirmed they’ve received multiple complaints about the policy change from Edmonton veterans. Colonel (Retired) Susan Richardson, who heads the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, has taken up the cause.
“We’re seeing veterans who were making real progress suddenly facing the prospect of returning to opioids or simply living with debilitating pain,” Richardson told me. “That’s not acceptable. These are people who put their bodies on the line for Canada.”
VRA has launched a petition calling on VAC to reverse its decision, gathering over 3,000 signatures in less than a week. They’re also preparing a formal appeal supported by new clinical evidence.
The battle highlights a broader issue in veterans’ healthcare – the sometimes-rigid bureaucratic processes that fail to keep pace with medical advancements. For Dr. Hebert and her team, this isn’t just about one therapy; it’s about ensuring veterans receive care that reflects current medical knowledge.
“We understand the need for fiscal responsibility and evidence-based care,” Dr. Hebert emphasized. “But the evidence is there. We’re seeing it every day in our clinic with reduced pain scores, improved function, and decreased reliance on pain medications.”
Walking through the clinic, I met several veterans mid-treatment. The camaraderie was evident – these weren’t just patients; they were a community supporting each other through recovery.
Mary Sanderson, a 42-year-old veteran who served three tours in Afghanistan, summed it up powerfully: “This treatment gave me hope when I’d run out of options. I don’t want to go back to where I was – barely functioning, dependent on pain meds. Our government needs to listen to us.”
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay has yet to respond directly to the Edmonton clinic’s concerns, though a department spokesperson stated they’re “reviewing the current policy in light of emerging evidence.”
For Edmonton’s veteran community, that review can’t come soon enough. As winter approaches – a season many veterans with chronic pain dread – the uncertainty adds another layer of stress to already challenging lives.
As I left the clinic, Dr. Hebert handed me a thick binder of patient testimonials. “These are the voices that matter most in this conversation,” she said. “We’ll keep fighting for them.”
For veterans like Forster, Sanderson, and thousands of others across Edmonton, that fight represents more than just access to a specific treatment. It’s about recognition of their ongoing sacrifices and their right to the best possible care our medical system can provide.
