Achilles Tendinopathy

This condition involves acute or chronic inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and attaches from your calf muscles to your heel. Pain occurs above the heel, it is normally tender to touch. Localized thickening of the tendon itself can also occur. It often aches and is stiff in the morning with some relief from a small amount of activity, but the condition generally worsens with prolonged activity.

How does Achilles Tendinopathy happen?

Achilles Tendinopathy often occurs as an acute injury from an increase in activity such as running or jumping. Achilles tendinopathy occurs following abnormal loading. This abnormal loading may be a consequence of overuse, or of biomechanical abnormality. Once the tendon is loaded abnormally it can become inflamed and can cause damage to the structure of the tendon. There are a number of predisposing factors than can contribute to this injury, such as an increase in activity, flat feet, poor walking or running technique, calf weakness and tightness, muscle imbalances and poor footwear.

What Complete Care can do to treat your Achilles Tendinopathy

• Performing a soft tissue release of the muscles that attach and surround the Achilles tendon, and initial gentle stretching of the calf muscles.
• Use neuro-myofascial dry needling to unload the neural structures from your lower back into the Achilles tendon.
• Use taping to assist in unloading the tendon and relieving pain.
• Specific exercises and advice on activity modification, cross training and relative rest. Eccentric loading exercises to remodel the tendon and a progressive strengthening program.