The Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the human body, is susceptible to inflammation and pain, often termed Achilles Tendonitis.

The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in mobility, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. As a weight-bearing tendon, it withstands significant stress during daily activities and exercise routines. When overworked or subjected to excessive strain, inflammation and discomfort can develop, leading to Achilles Tendonitis.

What causes Achilles Tendonitis?

When the amount of work the tendon has to do is more than its capacity, injury can occur. An increase in a certain activity like running, sport training or simply a new job or walking more is enough to cause Achilles Pain. Some other contributing causes can be muscle weakness, foot function, footwear, BMI and morbidities like diabetes and Rheumatism.

How do I get rid of Achilles Tendonitis?

Finding the exercise that aggravates the tendon pain and reducing it or changing it is good start. Then we look at what biomechanically might be leading to the pain and finding was to improve your functional movement. This can be done through footwear changes/modification or foot orthoses to help unload the stressed tendon. For pain relief in the short term tapping, massage, mobilisation and dry needling can be useful. In most cases you will need to start an exercise program targeting the tendon itself. There is a lot of research evidence on high load strength training to promote healing and prevent future injury. In some chronic cases, shockwave therapy is an appropriate form of treatment.

Management for insertional and mid Achilles pain can be different so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.