Achilles pain · Ponsonby
Achilles tendonitis treatment that gets you moving again
A sore, stiff Achilles that flares first thing in the morning and again after exercise is one of the most stubborn injuries we see. Rest helps for a few days, then the pain comes straight back the moment you push off. We assess what is actually driving it and treat the cause, often combining shockwave with a loading programme so the tendon rebuilds rather than just settling for a while.
Does this sound like you?
- ✓ Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel that is worst on the first steps of the day
- ✓ A tender lump or thickening you can feel along the tendon
- ✓ It eases as you warm up, then flares again hours after exercise
- ✓ You have tried rest, stretching and new shoes and it keeps coming back
If that sounds like you, this is exactly what we treat. Book an assessment and we will confirm the right plan.
Why Achilles pain keeps coming back
Achilles tendinopathy is a problem of load, not just inflammation. The tendon has been asked to do more than it is currently able to handle, so it becomes painful and changes its structure. Resting takes the pain away for a while because you have removed the load, but it does nothing to build the tendon back up. The moment you return to running or walking distances, the same problem returns. That is why a treatment that only manages pain rarely fixes it.
How we treat Achilles tendonitis
We start with a proper assessment to confirm it is the tendon and rule out the other things that mimic it. From there, the most effective approach is usually a combination: shockwave therapy to stimulate the tendon to repair and reduce pain, alongside a progressive loading programme that gradually rebuilds the tendon's capacity. The loading is what makes the result last; the shockwave is what makes it tolerable to get there.
What to expect
Most people need a course of treatment over several weeks rather than a single visit, because a tendon takes time to remodel. We give you a clear home programme and adjust it as you improve, so you are not guessing about what is safe to do. The goal is not just less pain, it is getting you back to running, training or simply walking without thinking about your heel.
This is one of the injuries we treat with shockwave therapy at our Ponsonby clinic. Read more about how shockwave works, who it suits and what a course of treatment involves.
Common questions
Is shockwave good for Achilles tendonitis? +
How long until it improves? +
Do I need a referral? +
Related
Other injuries we treat
Shockwave therapy in Ponsonby
How shockwave works, who it suits and what a course of treatment involves.
About shockwave therapy →Plantar fasciitis treatment
That sharp, stabbing heel pain on the first steps out of bed in the morning.
Heel Pain →Tennis elbow treatment
Pain on the outside of the elbow from gripping all day, and you have never picked up a racquet.
Tennis Elbow →Golfer's elbow treatment
Pain on the inside of the elbow from gripping and wrist work, and you have probably never played golf.
Golfer's Elbow →Rotator cuff and shoulder pain treatment
Persistent shoulder pain limiting your overhead movement and your sleep, from a strain that has not fully resolved.
Shoulder Pain →Trigger point treatment
Tight, aching muscle knots in the neck, shoulders or back that refer pain to other areas.
Trigger Points →Hamstring pain and tendon treatment
Recurring hamstring tightness or a deep ache at the sit bone that has not resolved with stretching or rest.
Hamstring Pain →Shin splints and shin pain treatment
Shin pain that comes back every time you build your running: shin splints that rest alone has not fixed.
Shin Pain →Shoulder and hip bursitis treatment
A burning, persistent pain in the shoulder or hip, and you want a solution beyond repeated injections.
Bursitis →Not sure if it's right for you?
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Book your assessment
Your first visit is a full assessment, hands-on treatment, and a plan you take home.
Visit us
Our Ponsonby clinic
Return To Form Physio
179A Ponsonby Road
Ponsonby, Auckland 1011
Entry on Franklin Road
ACC registered · Multi-disciplinary team · Treating Ponsonby for over 16 years