Achilles tendonitis is a painful problem that impairs the Achilles tendon, which links the upper leg muscle to the heel bone. It's caused by overuse injuries and recurring pressure of the tendon and can be really incapacitating, hampering some daily tasks and also negatively influencing your quality of life.
Fortunately, physiotherapy can be an excellent treatment method for this condition. Physiotherapists use a wide range of effective treatments to lessen pain and swelling, improve flexibility, and reinforce the muscular tissues surrounding the affected location.
This post will explore exactly how physiotherapy can help treat Achilles tendonitis as well as supply some tips on exactly how to get the absolute most from your therapy.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
As was discussed above, Achilles tendonitis is an uncomfortable problem impinging on the tendon that links the calf muscle tissue to the heel. Tendonitis is caused by repeatedly straining a tendon and is really limiting.
Signs and symptoms of Achilles tendonitis consist of soreness as well as tightness behind the lower leg, swelling, inflammation, as well as trouble running or taking a walk.
Achilles tendonitis can lead to additional damage to the tendon and even tendon tearing if left without treatment. While the majority of instances will eventually heal on their own, the healing process may be considerably hastened with a trip to the physiotherapist.
Root Causes Of Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is triggered by too much use or repetitive activity of the Achilles tendon. This can occur from physical activity such as running, leaping, and playing sports that involve a lot of leaping and running. Many sports players will almost definitely experience Achilles tendonitis at some point in their lives.
Achilles tendonitis can also be caused by putting on shoes that do not offer sufficient support for the feet, or by having strained tight calf muscles. Also, people with flat feet are more prone to struggle with Achilles tendonitis as a result of the escalated tension on the tendon when running or taking a walk.
Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation for Achilles Tendonitis
Physiotherapy offers a number of important advantages to sufferers of Achilles tendonitis. Physical rehabilitation minimizes pain and inflammation in the muscle mass by boosting blood flow to the afflicted region and also loosening up the tension that the tendon and muscles are experiencing.
Physical rehabilitation also serves to help to boost flexibility and enhance a person's range of activity while the tendon is recovering. Lastly, physiotherapy helps to reinforce the muscles around the damaged area, making re-injury to the tendon much less likely.
What's even more, physiotherapists can assess the condition and create an individualized rehabilitation plan to help in reducing your soreness as well as enhance tendon and muscle tissue capability.
Kinds Of Physiotherapy Treatments for Achilles Tendonitis
The initial step in treating Achilles tendonitis through physical rehabilitation is to reduce discomfort as well as inflammation. This can be done with treatments such as ice treatment, ultrasound, and electric stimulation.
After the inflammation has been minimized, stretching and strengthening exercises may be used to improve the flexibility and stamina of the Achilles tendon.
Physio therapists also make use of a range of methods such as stretching activities, massage treatment, ultrasound treatment, ice/heat therapy, electric stimulation (TENS), and bracing/taping to treat this problem.
Stretching exercises are vital for improving mobility in the upper thigh muscles while strengthening exercises serve to help construct toughness in these muscle tissues.
Massage treatment helps in reducing stress in strained muscles while ultrasound treatment helps reduce inflammation. Ice/heat treatment can also be utilized to lessen swelling and discomfort, while electrical stimulation (TENS) helps to unwind tight muscle tissues. Bracing/taping can likewise provide reinforcement for damaged tendons.
Tips for Getting the Best Results Out of Physical Rehabilitation Therapy
Follow these tips to get the most out of your physiotherapy therapy:
- Choose a physio therapist that you're comfortable collaborating with. Your physio therapist must be well-experienced and knowledgeable in the therapy of Achilles tendonitis as well as various other injuries.
- Follow your physio therapist's guidance and do all of the prescribed exercises. While some workouts may be temporarily unpleasant, they are important to loosening the tension which created the injury and building up your muscles to stop more damages.
- When engaging in activities that might trigger stress on the Achilles tendon, use supporting footwear. Weak foot support is a contributing factor to Achilles tendonitis and comparable injuries.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises should be done regularly to keep mobility and stamina in the upper thigh muscles.
- Finally, heat or icing treatment may be used to reduce swelling and pain after activity.
By following these tips, you can make certain that you're getting the most out of your physiotherapy therapy.
Summary
Physical rehabilitation is an effective therapy for Achilles tendonitis, offering pain reduction, boosted mobility as well as range of motion, and building up of the muscles around the damaged spot.
Physio therapists use a range of methods such as stretching workouts, massage treatment, ultrasound treatment, ice/heat treatment, electric stimulation, and bracing/taping to treat this condition.
To get the best results out of physiotherapy treatment for Achilles tendonitis, it is vital to find a physio therapist that you are at ease with and follow their guidance.
Furthermore, supporting footwear needs to be used throughout actions that might create stress on the Achilles tendon, and stretching and building up exercises should be performed consistently. Lastly, icing or heat treatment may be used to reduce pain and swelling after exercise.
Give the experts at Alberta PT a call and allow our experienced team of physio therapists help soothe your Achilles tendonitis pain and improve your quality of life. We're now taking on new patients, so call right away.
