Achilles tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy is a common cause of pain and stiffness at the back of the heel or lower calf.
At Aligna Podiatry we treat Achilles tendinopathy with high-power laser therapy to reduce pain and stimulate healing, then targeted strengthening to rebuild the tendon and prevent re-injury. We also assess your foot mechanics to find the underlying cause and stop pain returning.
What is Achilles tendinopathy?
Achilles tendinopathy is pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, the strong tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone.
It usually builds up over time when the tendon is overloaded, whether from too much running or walking, a sudden increase in activity or long hours on your feet.
Two main types:
- Mid-portion: pain in the middle of the tendon, a few centimetres above the heel
- Insertional: pain right where the tendon meets the heel bone
How it feels:
- Stiff and sore in the morning or after rest
- Eases as you warm up then returns after activity
- Tender or thickened along the tendon
If it is left untreated it tends to get worse rather than better, so early treatment gives you the best results.
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs:
- Pain or stiffness at the back of the heel or lower calf
- Worse in the morning or after sitting
- Sore after exercise rather than during
- Tenderness when you squeeze the tendon
- A thickened or swollen area on the tendon
See a podiatrist if:
- The pain has lasted more than a few days
- It is affecting your walking, running or work
- The tendon feels thickened or lumpy
- The pain keeps coming back
- Morning stiffness is getting worse
If you ignore a grumbling Achilles it can turn into a long term problem and in some cases, lead to a tear. Getting it assessed early means it is quicker to treat and far more effective.
How we treat Achilles tendinopathy at Aligna
We treat Achilles tendinopathy in two stages, settling the pain first and then rebuilding the tendon.
Stage 1: reduce pain and stimulate healing
We use high-power laser therapy to ease pain and kickstart healing in the tendon from your very first visit.
Stage 2: rebuild the tendon
A tendon gets stronger through the right kind of loading, so we guide you through progressive strengthening that rebuilds the Achilles until it can handle walking, standing and sport again.
We also find the cause
Achilles pain is often driven by tight calves, poor foot mechanics or unsuitable footwear. We assess how your foot and lower limb move and, where it is needed, we use custom orthotics to take load off the tendon and stop the problem returning.
Our goal is to settle the pain, rebuild the tendon and keep it strong for the long term.
Recovery & rehab
How long does it take?
- Mild cases: a few weeks
- Moderate or long-standing cases: three months or more
The Achilles tendon is a slow healing tendon, so sticking with your strengthening plan is what gets the result.
Why rehab matters
Rest alone will not resolve a tendinopathy because the tendon needs the right strengthening to rebuild. Skipping rehab is the most common reason the problem keeps coming back.
How we help you stay pain free:
- Progressive strengthening to rebuild the tendon
- Calf and lower limb work to reduce load
- A biomechanical assessment to identify and address the underlying cause
- Orthotics if you need extra support
- Advice on footwear and returning to activity safely
If it is treated properly, most people get back to full activity. We are here to settle the pain, rebuild the tendon and keep you moving.
Summary
Our goal is simple: to settle your Achilles pain and get you back to the things you enjoy, then keep you there.
- At Aligna Podiatry we don’t just treat the sore tendon. We find why the Achilles became overloaded in the first place and address the root cause so the problem doesn’t keep returning.
- Your treatment plan is built around you, combining high-power laser therapy to reduce pain and stimulate healing with progressive strengthening that rebuilds the tendon for the long term.
Whether you’re recovering from a recent flare-up or managing a long standing achilles problem, we’re here to help you stay active and get back to moving better.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury? Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therap, shockwave therapy with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.