A proven approach to addressing heel pain
Maria is an avid runner, taking time most mornings to jog around her neighborhood. But when she first took up running, she noticed pain in her heel after a few days of going on her morning run. She ignored it, hoping it would go away on its own.
Instead, Maria woke the following day to intense heel pain and stiffness in her heel joint. While the pain would ebb and flow, it always worsened after she engaged in physical activity. Eventually, she made an appointment with her physiotherapist, who told her she had developed Achilles tendinitis.
Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon, which runs down the back of the lower leg, becomes inflamed. Its name refers to the story of Achilles, a warrior from Greek mythology who was invulnerable save for a single spot on the back of his heel. And like Achilles, Maria was taken out by the pain in this tiny area, preventing her from continuing her exercise routine.
Unlike Achilles, however, Maria was able to work with her physiotherapist to find a solution that resolved her pain. One treatment Maria tried was shockwave therapy, which uses sound waves for therapeutic benefit.
At Equilibrium in Victoria, we incorporate shockwave therapy into our personalized treatment plans when appropriate. Request an appointment today to learn more about shockwave therapy and how it can help with Achilles tendinitis!
Achilles Tendinitis: Causes and Symptoms
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and plays a major role in helping us walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on our tip toes. And while the Achilles tendon is definitely cut out for its job, constant use can start to take a toll.
Achilles tendinitis is typically an overuse injury, meaning that it occurs due to several microtraumas over time, not one major trauma. Runners like Maria and other athletes are more prone to developing the condition, and it’s prevalent among people starting a new exercise program.
However, your footwear could be another potential cause of Achilles tendinitis. High heels can limit the mobility of your ankle, which, over time, can cause the tendon to become restricted. That restriction will make you more susceptible to developing tendinitis when you’re getting active.
Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include the following:
- Pain in the Achilles tendon in the morning, after exercising, or after starting a new workout routine
- Stiffness in the heel/ankle
- Thickening of the tendon
- Swelling that gets worse throughout the day
- Heel pain when wearing shoes
- Development of bone spurs
If you’re struggling with heel pain, make an appointment with Equilibrium. Our therapists can examine your symptoms and let you know if you’ve developed Achilles tendinitis.
Shockwave Therapy: A Proven Treatment for Achilles Tendinitis
Physiotherapy plays a significant role in helping to resolve Achilles tendinitis. We’ll develop a customized treatment plan to address your pain and resolve the tendon’s inflammation using various treatment approaches. One such approach is shockwave therapy.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (usually shortened to ESWT or just shockwave therapy) might sound intense, but it’s actually an effective, non-invasive method for reducing pain caused by Achilles tendinitis or similar conditions. It’s been shown to be especially effective when combined with stretching and strengthening exercises.
Shockwave therapy works by applying shockwaves (a type of sound wave) to the affected area. One of our therapists will run the shockwave device to the back of your calf and heel to deliver the shockwaves to your Achilles tendon in order to stimulate blood flow, facilitate healing, and reduce your pain.
A single shockwave therapy treatment typically takes between 15-30 minutes, although we’ll likely schedule you for multiple treatments over a few weeks to ensure you see the best results. Most people do not find shockwave therapy painful, although some do experience discomfort; the nature of that discomfort will depend on you and the details of your injury.
What to Expect During Your Visit at Equilibrium
When you come in for your appointment, our physiotherapists will begin with a comprehensive physical exam to determine the cause of your pain, including deciding whether or not you’re struggling with Achilles tendinitis. We’ll discuss your health history, activity levels, and symptoms and run a series of movement screens to help us understand your condition.
From there, we’ll develop your customized treatment plan, including a course of shockwave therapy treatments if we think it’s appropriate. In addition to shockwave therapy, we might employ these additional treatment approaches:
- Therapeutic exercise targeting the Achilles tendon
- Manual therapy to mobilize the Achilles tendon and your ankle joint
- Dry needling
- Taping or bracing
We’ll also provide strategies to help you avoid developing Achilles tendinitis in the future. For example, we’ll correct any faulty biomechanics that might be putting unnecessary pressure on the tendon and help you pick out the right shoes to wear when you’re being active.
Find a Solution That Works for You!
While Achilles tendinitis isn’t life-threatening, it makes living an active lifestyle much more difficult. If, like Maria, you suspect you’ve developed Achilles tendinitis, don’t wait for the pain to go away on its own–schedule an appointment with us at Equilibrium to find a treatment approach that suits your needs!
