Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy is growing in popularity as it’s a non-invasive treatment that helps your body heal faster than on its own. Achilles pain is frustrating because you don’t really get to avoid using the tendon, which makes recovery long and difficult. The tendon sits at the back of your heel, so every time you push through your foot, it can remind you the pain is still there. For some people it starts as a sharp pull during a run. For others, it’s that stiff, sore feeling when they first get out of bed and have to walk it off before the day properly starts.
That’s when shockwave therapy can be worth looking at. At Active Care Chiropractic, we use shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinopathy when the tendon pain has been hanging around and hasn’t responded properly to rest or hands-on treatment. It targets the sore part of the tendon with sound waves, helping to kickstart your body’s natural healing response rather than just waiting and hoping it settles on its own. If you’re struggling with pain in your Achilles and you’re not sure what to do, keep reading this blog as we dive into how shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis and tendinopathy works.
Achilles Tendonitis vs Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinopathy are not the same, The difference is usually how the tendon is behaving. Achilles tendonitis is more like a flare up and is described as acute pain When the Achilles is inflamed, you may experience pain and swelling in the back of your ankle and heel. If left untreated, Achilles tendonitis can turn into Achilles tendinopathy.
Unlike Achilles Tendonitis, Achilles tendinopathy lingers. Tendinopathy is degeneration of the Achilles Tendon and therefore causes chronic pain that comes back, even when you feel it has eased up. Achilles tendonitis, however, is simply inflammation of the Achilles, hence often more short-term symptoms.
That’s why the two can get confused as they both have very similar symptoms but tendonitis is often linked with irritation and inflammation and tendinopathy usually means the tendon has been struggling for longer and isn’t repairing itself properly. For someone dealing with the pain, both can be just as annoying, but you may notice it’s Achilles tendinopathy when resting on its own isn’t working anymore.
What Causes Achilles Tendonitis and Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinopathy can both be caused by repetitive strain or overuse of the Achilles. Tendonitis can be brought on by a sudden increase in physical activity that you’re not used to or if you haven’t had training to help you build up to your exercise gradually. Achilles tendinopathy can be caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon such as taking part in endurance sports or high-intensity exercise.
What Is Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendonitis and Tendinopathy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that is commonly used for Achilles pain. It involves using a handheld device over the painful area and that sends high energy sound waves into the damaged tissues. These shockwaves create a small, controlled response in the tendon, which helps wake up the body’s natural healing process. Shockwave therapy targets the area directly, helping to increase blood flow and encourage the tissue to start repairing properly.
How Does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy For Achilles Tendonitis Work?
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis works by sending sound waves through the skin and into the sore part of the tendon. The handheld device gets placed on the area that’s causing you problems, which is usually on the back of your foot just above the heel. The shockwaves then cause small amounts of microtrauma in the tissue that help create a controlled reaction in the tissue that encourages it to heal properly. That reaction can increase blood flow to the area and to help with repairing the tendon. Instead of relying on rest alone, extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles treats the tendon by speeding up recovery.
Benefits Of ESWT For Achilles Tendinopathy and Tendonitis
Targets The Tendon Directly
One of the main benefits of ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy is that it targets the tendon itself. If there is one painful area that keeps flaring up, the sound waves can be directed into that exact part of the tissue. This makes it different from a more general treatment where the surrounding muscles are worked on, but the tendon itself may still be struggling to heal.
Helps With Long Standing Pain
Achilles tendinopathy can be bothersome because it often doesn’t disappear with a bit of rest. You may feel better for a short time, then the pain comes back as soon as you start doing more again. Shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy can be useful for this type of stubborn & recurring pain because it is designed to kickstart the healing process in tissue that has not been repaired properly.
Non-invasive Treatment
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, so there is no surgery involved and no medication needed as part of the treatment itself. If you are dealing with Achilles pain and want to avoid more invasive options, shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis could be a good treatment to consider first.
Encourages Blood Flow
Tendons can sometimes be slow to heal because they do not have as good a blood supply as other tissues such as muscles. Shockwave therapy helps increase blood flow around the injured area, which can support the repair process. This can be especially helpful when the tendon has felt stiff, sore, or tender for a long time.
Supports Your Recovery
The aim is to encourage your body to repair the affected tendon more effectively. At Active Care Chiropractic, we may also recommend red light therapy as a separate session alongside shockwave therapy. Since shockwave therapy creates a healing response in the tissue, red light therapy can help support recovery and may help you get more from your treatment.
Choose Active Care For Shockwave Therapy For Achilles Teninopathy
At Active Care Chiropractic, we offer shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinopathy in York for people dealing with tendon pain that isn’t settling properly. We’ll look at where the pain is, how long it’s been going on, what seems to set it off, and whether shockwave therapy is the right route for you.
Our shockwave treatments are carried out by Tristan Prince DC, one of our chiropractors who is also our shockwave specialist. The sessions are usually around 10-15 minutes, and the treatment can be included as part of your chiropractic session if it’s something we think you need. If your Achilles pain has been hanging around and rest hasn’t really got you anywhere, book in with Active Care Chiropractic and we can help you understand what’s going on.
Shockwave Therapy For Achilles Tendonitis FAQs
Can shockwave therapy help Achilles tendonitis?
Yes, shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis can help target the injured tendon and encourage your body’s natural healing response.
How many shockwave therapy sessions will I need?
The amount of sessions you need will be different from person to person. The best way to know is to book an appointment with us so we can assess you properly.
Is shockwave therapy painful on the Achilles?
Patients usually describe the feeling as small pulses against the skin, although this can vary from patient to patient. If you’re concerned about discomfort, you can always speak to us.
Is shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis safe?
Yes, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment and our chiropractors are trained in using this technology.
