Achilles

Have you been sidelined by Achilles pain?

Every step you take, you’re reminded of the pain. It lingers there in your heel, like a constant echo of discomfort, a reminder of something not quite right.

That’s your Achilles tendon talking.

Whether you’re an active sports enthusiast or just going about your daily routine, it’s a common issue and better to treat sooner rather than later.

The good news is that with the right help, you can overcome this challenge and get back on your feet.

At Bounty Physio, Tuggerah, we’re dedicated to guiding you through this journey.

The Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in your body, plays a crucial role in your mobility. It’s responsible for your ability to walk, run, jump, and play sports.

Common symptoms associated with Achilles tendon issues include:

• Pain around the heel or calf
• Swelling in the foot or ankle
• Difficulty in walking or running
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning

The causes of Achilles pain can be varied, ranging from overuse (common in runners and athletes) to diseases like arthritis or even diabetes.

Ignoring the pain can lead to further complications, such as Achilles tendonitis or even a rupture.

The discomfort can be overwhelming and debilitating, dramatically affecting your daily life, so it’s important to diagnose, treat and manage it the right way.

Knowing the specifics of your condition is the first step towards recovery.

When you step through our doors for the first time, it marks the start of your journey to recovery.

Our approach to diagnosing and assessing your Achilles issue is thorough, patient-centric, and rooted in years of professional experience.

1. Patient Interview: The first step in our process is a comprehensive interview. We’ll ask you about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and any specific incidents that may have triggered your Achilles pain. This helps us understand the nature of your issue, the extent of the pain, and how it’s affecting your daily life. Our team believes in listening to understand, not just to respond. We’ll take the time to get to know your challenges, limitations, and goals from the start.

2. Physical Examination: Next, we conduct a detailed physical examination. This may include assessing your gait (the way you walk), range of motion, strength, flexibility, and any visible signs of inflammation or structural abnormalities. The Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and surrounding areas will be examined to identify any tenderness, swelling, or thickening.

3. Special Tests: Depending on your symptoms, we might perform special tests specifically designed to stress the Achilles tendon and provoke your symptoms (in a controlled manner). These tests provide valuable information about the condition of your tendon and can help us differentiate between various potential issues.

4. Imaging: If necessary, we may refer you for diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound or MRI scan. These imaging tools allow us to have a closer look at your Achilles tendon and surrounding structures. They can help us confirm a diagnosis, assess the severity of your condition, and rule out any other potential causes of your pain.

5. Postural and Biomechanical Assessment: We also conduct a postural assessment to evaluate your body alignment and the biomechanical factors that may contribute to your Achilles pain. This could involve examining your foot arch, heel alignment, and the wear patterns on your shoes. It helps us identify if any abnormalities in your biomechanics might be causing excessive stress on your Achilles tendon.

6. Functional Assessment: Finally, we look at how your Achilles issue is affecting your ability to perform everyday activities or specific sports movements. We’ll observe you performing these activities, paying close attention to any movements that cause pain or difficulty.

Once we’ve gathered all this information, we can diagnose your condition and work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan. At The Physio Rooms, our commitment to patient care goes beyond treating symptoms – we aim to understand and address the underlying cause of your pain.

We understand that every patient is unique and requires a personalised approach to treatment. Here’s a detailed look at our comprehensive and individualised treatment and management strategies for Achilles issues:

1. Manual Therapy: This is a hands-on approach used to manipulate, mobilise and massage the body tissues. It can help reduce pain, ease inflammation, improve range of motion, and promote healing. Techniques could include deep tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and trigger point therapy.

2. Exercise Prescription: We develop a specific exercise program tailored to your needs. This could include strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, balance training, and functional exercises. The aim is to gradually load your Achilles tendon in a controlled manner to help it heal, improve your strength and flexibility, and prevent future injuries.

3. Education: We believe in empowering you with knowledge about your condition. We’ll provide information about the nature of your injury, healing process, and factors that may affect your recovery. We’ll also guide you on how to modify your activities or adjust your lifestyle to manage your symptoms and prevent further injury.

4. Orthotic Prescription: If your Achilles issues are related to poor foot biomechanics or alignment issues, we may recommend orthotics. These custom-made devices are inserted into your shoes to correct alignment issues, distribute pressure evenly across your feet, and reduce strain on your Achilles tendon.

5. Dry Needling: This technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points in your muscles to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing. It can be particularly beneficial if tight calf muscles are contributing to your Achilles pain.

6. Load Management: We’ll guide you on how to manage your activity levels to allow your Achilles tendon to heal. This could involve modifying your training routine if you’re an athlete, adjusting your work activities, or finding alternative ways to stay active while reducing strain on your Achilles tendon.

7. Regular Review and Progress Monitoring: We’ll schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, adjust your treatment plan as necessary, and ensure you’re on track to achieving your recovery goals. We also provide online support between visits, so you’re never alone on your journey to recovery.

At Bounty Physio, our aim is to not only alleviate your Achilles pain, but to help you regain optimal mobility, health, and overall wellness.

Recovering from Achilles pain isn’t just about getting rid of the pain; it’s about reclaiming your life.

Whether it’s getting back to work, chasing after your kids, or returning to the sports field, our team is committed to helping you reach your potential as soon as possible.

With our care, many patients see significant improvement in their symptoms and return to their regular activities.

Your journey to a pain-free life starts here.

Don’t let Achilles pain hold you back. Take advantage of our over 25 years of experience and let us guide you towards your recovery.

Book your consultation now and take the first step towards a life without Achilles pain.

You deserve the best possible care, and at Bounty Physio, we’re dedicated to providing just that. Your health, wellness, and mobility are our top priorities.

Don’t wait another day – your journey to recovery starts here.

Book a consultation today.