East Suburban Sports Medicine Center (ESSMC) is proud to support our patients with Pittsburgh’s newest AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill®. This amazing technological tool gives you the opportunity to exercise, even while you are still recovering from surgery or injury, all while experiencing less pain than you would feel during traditional exercise methods. No other treadmill makes physical therapy, athletic training and rehabilitation more tolerable for patients with severe pain.
There are only five of these units in Pittsburgh - and we have two of them: one at ESSMC Murrysville, and one at ESSMC Penn Hills! If you are interested in utilizing this tool for your own health goals, ask your doctor or physical therapist if AlterG would be right for your physical therapy, rehabilitation or athletic training regimen.
To receive your evaluation and begin discussing your care needs, please call us at (412) 856-8060 or submit an online appointment request form.
Originally developed by NASA to make it easier for astronauts to exercise in space, AlterG’s unique space-age unweighting technology reduces the impact of walking or running to help you heal. This is thanks to its special inflatable chamber that allows you to walk or run at anywhere between 20 and 100 percent of your body weight.
When using the AlterG, this technology allows you to:
People who can benefit from the AlterG are persons with:
The Alter G is available for use even if you are not a patient of ours. Similar to the way you would buy a membership to a yoga studio or fitness club, you can buy an Alter G Membership at ESSMC.
The AlterG is currently used by top professional athletes and teams (from elite distance runners and Olympic athletes to professional sports leagues around the world) to reduce the frequency of injuries, build fitness, and train and recover more quickly.
AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmills are also being used by leading medical facilities, such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, to help people recover from surgery or injury. Click here to see more Notable AlterG users.
“I suffered an AC shoulder separation and was sent to ESSMC for rehab. Within about 30 days, my shoulder was much stronger with increased flexibility. Beth adjusted the exercises as necessary and progressed rapidly. Recently, I experienced a potential pinched nerve in my neck on the same side as the shoulder injury. ESSMC took over and really helped me significantly. Throughout this experience, my orthopedic physician was really pleased and I am avoiding surgery – which is great! Thanks ESSMC!”
- Larry H., Murrysville
“I would give ESSMC a 10 and recommend them to all of my friends. In all the years that I have been treated, they make you feel like a person. Everyone cares for you – the front desk staff, the PT techs and the therapists. They are the best.”
- Debi F., Murrysville
“After suffering a serious femur fracture, my goal for rehab was to be able to run again. I didn’t think I would. Alter G changed all that. After months of rehab, I was able to run again because of the Alter G. Even though formal rehab has ended, I continue to use the Alter G to run pain free. Its a great way to keep running without full pounding impact while I continue to heal and gain strength.”
- Kelly H., Plum
“Just a few weeks after finishing the Boston Marathon, a cycling accident left me with substantial injuries. Recovery required a wheelchair, a walker, physical therapy, and no running for six long months. I was totally devastated! Distance running is my greatest passion; I love the challenge of racing and the sense of accomplishment after pushing myself to new limits.
When I was finally healed and able to run again, I was constantly sidelined by compensation injuries. After two years of comeback attempts, I started to wonder if my marathon days were over. I was strongly considering couch potato when a friend suggested that I try out the Alter-G treadmill at a demo session hosted by ESSMC and Pro Bike + Run. The demo run nearly brought me to tears. I was finally able to do what I love most and do it PAIN FREE!
Since that day I have added weekly Alter-G runs to my training regimen. Anti-gravity running allows me to increase mileage and pace without pain or risk of injury.
The staff at ESSMC Penn Hills has been wonderful! I can’t thank them enough for accommodating my schedule, allowing me to train at their facility, and for bringing Alter-G technology to the East Hills.
I am signed up for a half marathon in May, and I’m confident there are many more miles in my future – with and without gravity.”
- Marily H., Pittsburgh, PA
Want to feel better, play better, and live better with ESSMC? Call us at (412) 856-8060 or submit an online appointment request form.