Achilles Pain
Achilles Tendon Pain (Tendinitis)
Achilles Pain can be a debilitative condition that causes pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon region. It is often referred to as ‘Tendinitis’ however the preferred term in ‘tendinopathy’.
Common signs and symptoms of Achilles Tendinopathy can include:
- A stiff and painful Achilles when you get out of bed
- Achilles pain with running that can ease and ‘warm up’
- Achilles pain and stiffness 1-2 hours after exercise
- A swollen Achilles that is sore to touch
Achilles Tendinopathy is often a response to abnormal over load of the muscle and tendons around the calf. This can be from a sudden unaccustomed load like sprinting for the bus, general overuse like in training for a Marathon or simply poor footwear.
Treatment
As part of a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce your pain and return you to normal activity levels, your expert physiotherapist at Complete Balance will:
1) Identify & correct contributing factors to your pain such as:
a. Biomechanics
b. Muscle strength and imbalance
c. Improve range of movement
d. Assess your training technique or equipment (e.g. Footwear)
2) Treatment to the area around the Achilles using techniques such as:
a. Soft tissue massage
b.Dry Needling
c. Trigger point release
d. Taping
e. Self massage
f. Icing
3) Prescribe a progressive strength loading program to build the capacity of the foot and calf muscles to take load away from the painful region.
Important Take Away Messages
- Get the right advice early from the experienced Physiotherapists at Complete Balance so you can reduce your pain as quickly as possible
- Achilles pain takes time to improve. Be patient and trust the process and program your expert physiotherapist has you on.
- Reducing the pain alone is not enough, you must address the contributing factors and your build strength and capacity
- Slowly re building your training or running loads is imperative. Your Complete Balance Physiotherapist will assist you with this.
Contact Us today to ensure you are on the correct path to having a pain free Achilles and back running or moving with confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Achilles tendon pain?
Achilles tendon pain is commonly caused by overuse, sudden increases in training load, poor calf strength, or biomechanical factors affecting the ankle and foot. It is frequently seen in runners and active individuals but can also develop with changes in activity levels.
Can physiotherapy help with Achilles tendinopathy?
Yes. Physiotherapy is highly effective for managing Achilles tendon pain. Treatment typically involves load management, progressive calf strengthening exercises, movement retraining, and advice on activity modification to promote tendon recovery and reduce recurrence.
How long does it take to recover from Achilles tendon pain?
Recovery time varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms. Mild cases may improve within several weeks, while more persistent tendinopathy may require a structured rehabilitation program over a few months to achieve lasting results.
Can I keep running with Achilles tendon pain?
In some cases, modified running may be appropriate depending on pain levels and tendon tolerance. A physiotherapist can guide safe load management and create a graded return-to-running plan to avoid worsening symptoms.
What treatments are used for Achilles tendon pain?
Treatment may include hands-on therapy, progressive strengthening exercises, calf loading programs, dry needling where appropriate, footwear advice, and structured return-to-sport rehabilitation. The focus is on restoring tendon capacity and preventing recurrence.