what is achilles tendinopathy?
achilles tendinopathy is a term we use to describe pain in the achilles tendon. it’s one of the conditions we diagnose most regularly, particularly in runners.
the condition often stems from overloading the tendon through a change in activity or an increase in training volume — more runs per week, greater mileage, new forms of training, or a change of footwear. contributing factors include muscle weakness, tightness, ankle stiffness, age (30+), male gender, excess weight and diabetes.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- pain that develops gradually, increasing in frequency and irritability
- swelling and thickening of the tendon
- tenderness on palpation
- morning stiffness that may ease with movement
- calf tightness or discomfort
triggers & relief.
makes it worse
- during or after exercise (running, football)
- going up or down stairs
- normal walking
- any activity that stresses the tendon
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- advice on pain management and training technique
- taping to reduce tendon load
- exercise therapy for mobility and strength
- manual therapy for ankle and calf flexibility
- acupuncture for pain relief
faqs.
do i need a gp referral?
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (aviva, vitality, wpa, axa and others) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
how many sessions will i need?
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
what should i bring?
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
how soon can i be seen?
we always strive to have same-day availability, and evening and saturday morning slots are available.
