An Achilles tendon injury can be painful, and if you are a keen runner or sports player, it can really slow your training down. Achilles tendon injuries can happen to anyone, not just athletes, and if you’ve experienced this condition, you’ll know how much it can impact your daily life. Recovery time can be slow, so finding the right intervention and support is crucial to speed rehabilitation. In our clinics we use manual therapy – osteopathy and physiotherapy – together with shockwave treatment to achieve the most effective, fastest results.
What causes Achilles tendon pain?
Like all tendons, the Achilles tendon is strong but not very flexible. The largest tendon in your body, it connects the muscles in your calf and lower leg to your heel bone. It’s easy to feel at the back of your ankle. When it is stretched beyond its limits, it becomes inflamed (tendonitis) or tears (rupture).
Symptoms of Achilles tendon injury
Inflammation or injury to the Achilles tendon can result in anything from a slight ache or stiffness to burning pain. The exact location of the pain can be felt closer to the bottom of the calf muscle, along the tendon itself, or lower down towards the heel bone. The pain and stiffness usually feel worse first thing in the morning and eases as you stretch and move.
You may also experience some swelling and warmth over the affected area.
What causes Achilles tendon injury?
It’s important to warm up your calf muscles before exercising, otherwise you might strain your Achilles tendon. When your calf muscles are tight, the tension is placed also on the Achilles tendon. If you’re following a training programme, build up slowly so you don’t overload this tendon.
Achilles tendon injuries are more common in athletes, dancers and sportspeople who often stop, start, and pivot quickly. When you start moving suddenly and abruptly lift your foot, this can strain your Achilles tendon.
Repetitive strain injury can result in an Achilles tendon injury – this is when you stress the tendon repeatedly, often with high-impact activities such as running.
Make sure your running shoes aren’t worn, and if you’re playing a sport, ensure that your footwear is fit for purpose, so you don’t place too much strain on your Achilles tendon.
Achilles tendon injuries also occur in those who don’t play sport, and these are the risk factors:
- Wearing high heels, which stress the tendon.
- Having ‘flat feet’ or fallen arches, which can mean the Achilles tendon takes the strain of any impact.
- Chronic conditions which mean you take medicines called glucocorticoids, or antibiotics called fluoroquinolones.
- Chronic conditions that can weaken your Achilles, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, or diabetes.
Shockwave therapy for Achilles tendon injury
Shockwaves are a type of acoustic wave. When focused on areas of pain and inflammation, these waves can be directed to stimulate a tissue healing response. Shockwave therapy promotes regeneration and repair of connective tissue and bones.
For the most effective treatment outcomes, our osteopaths and physiotherapists will use shockwave therapy as part of a tailored rehabilitation programme drawn up after an accurate assessment of your lifestyle, your needs and goals.
The benefits of shockwave therapy for Achilles tendon injury
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive and is administered through a small handheld device, held on the skin around the area of the tendon. The treatment only takes a few minutes and for best results, a course of 3-4 treatments delivered once every week is recommended.
It can shorten your recovery time and avoid overuse of painkillers, meaning you can get back to your life and the activities you love more quickly.
Book your appointment now
The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on your favourite sport or activity for too long! Using shockwave therapy to support manual therapy for Achilles tendon injuries can offer an effective option for recovery and rehabilitation.
Our team can help you get back to your pain-free life as fast as possible. It couldn’t be easier to book your appointment with Osteo & Physio! Book a session via our app, website or call our friendly reception team on 0345 5577788.
