Achilles pain

Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury in any sport requiring running and jumping.

The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the back of your foot and contracts when you rise up onto your toes. The Achilles stores elastic energy. When there is an increase in load, this can cause injury.

The location of pain with an Achilles Tendinopathy can be mid-way along the tendon or else at its insertion into the back of the foot. Pain will often be experienced during push off during walking or running or during a calf/heel raise (rising up onto your toes in standing).

It is important to try to identify what has led to the overload of the tendon and your physio may ask for your training schedule.

Some common causes of Achilles overload include

• A change in footwear.
• Change in surface that you are training on, e.g. grass Vs concrete.
• Changes in training intensity or frequency.
• Returning to exercise after a period of rest.
• Poor running technique/biomechanics.

Some treatment techniques that your InnerStrength of Bayside physiotherapist may use to help treat your Achilles tendon include

• Massage to the calf and Achilles tendon.
• Dry needling.
• An orthotic or heel raise in your shoe.
• An individualised rehabilitation program focusing on calf strengthening as well as addressing any other areas that are assessed to be weak and potentially leading to an overload of the Achilles.
• Once your pain levels have stabilised, a running assessment may identify areas of your running technique which could be improved.

Please contact our us to make an appointment with one of our physios at InnerStrength of Bayside on 8555 4099 to discuss your injury.