Achilles Tendon Injury
Physiotherapy for Achilles tendon pain
Achilles pain is common — whether it started gradually with running, came on after a sudden increase in activity, or follows an ankle injury. At our clinic we treat the full spectrum of Achilles-related problems, from early-stage tendon pain to post-rupture rehabilitation, using up-to-date, evidence-based physiotherapy.
What is Achilles tendon pain?
The term covers several related conditions around the tendon that attaches your calf muscles to the heel bone. Typical symptoms include localised pain or stiffness at the back of the heel, pain with loading (standing, walking, running, jumping), and reduced calf strength or power. Early education and load management make a big difference to outcomes.
The specific areas / conditions we treat
1. Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy
Pain and swelling 2–6 cm above the heel. Common in runners and people who do repeated loading. Rehabilitation focuses on progressive tendon loading (strengthening), calf conditioning and activity modification. Eccentric and progressive loading programs are widely used as first-line treatment.
2. Insertional Achilles tendinopathy
Pain where the tendon attaches to the heel (at the calcaneus). This behaves differently to mid-portion tendinopathy (some exercises need adapting) and often needs tailored loading strategies and footwear/biomechanics review.
3. Achilles paratenonitis
An irritated tendon sheath or early reactive change (often from sudden overload). Management emphasises short-term load reduction, activity modification, pain control and for this condition doing lots of calf raises just stirs it up so avoid initially.
4. Retrocalcaneal / subcutaneous bursitis and Haglund’s deformity-related pain
Inflammation of bursae behind the tendon or irritation from a bony prominence. We treat these with activity modification, footwear advice, taping/strapping, and targeted loading — and will work with surgeons if advanced treatment is needed.
5. Partial and full tendon ruptures — rehab and return to function
Post-injury and post-operative rehabilitation to restore calf strength, ankle range, gait and sports readiness. We provide progressive strength programs, balance and plyometric re-introduction when appropriate.
6. Related problems we commonly address alongside the Achilles
Calf muscle strains and weakness (gastrocnemius / soleus)
Foot and ankle biomechanics (overpronation, rigid feet, footwear)
Hip and knee contributions to lower-limb load distribution
Plantar heel pain and other comorbidities that affect loading and rehab progress
Our treatment approach for Achilles tendon pain
We combine several interventions founded on current best practice:
Achilles tendon pain is rarely a “one-size-fits-all” problem. Our physiotherapy approach focuses on understanding why your tendon is overloaded and then progressively rebuilding its strength and capacity to cope with daily and sporting demands.
Education and load management
We help you understand what activities are aggravating your Achilles and how to modify them without unnecessary rest. The goal is to keep you moving while reducing harmful load on the tendon.
Progressive tendon loading
Targeted strengthening is the cornerstone of Achilles rehabilitation. We use carefully progressed calf loading programs to restore tendon strength, stiffness and tolerance. Exercises are adjusted depending on whether your pain is mid-portion or insertional.
Calf and lower limb strengthening
The Achilles does not work in isolation. We address calf weakness, ankle control, and strength through the hips and knees to improve how load is transferred through the leg.
Manual therapy and soft tissue techniques
Hands-on treatment may be used to reduce pain, improve movement and help you tolerate exercise progression more comfortably.
Footwear, biomechanics and activity advice
We assess footwear, walking and running patterns, and may recommend changes or temporary supports to reduce stress on the tendon during recovery.
Gradual return to sport or activity
For runners and active individuals, we guide a staged return to impact activities such as jogging, jumping and sprinting, ensuring the tendon is strong enough before progressing.
Our aim is not just to settle your pain, but to build long-term tendon resilience so you can return to work, sport and daily life with confidence and a lower risk of recurrence.
What to expect at your first physiotherapy session
A focused assessment of your pain location, movement, strength and loading patterns.
An explanation of the likely type of Achilles problem you have and a realistic recovery plan.
A personalised exercise program you can start immediately (often including loading exercises you can do at home or in the clinic).
Practical advice on footwear, activity changes and progression milestones.
Typical rehabilitation timeline
Everyone’s different. Many people notice improvements in pain and function in weeks, but full recovery of tendon capacity for high-impact sport can take months. For chronic cases, a structured 12-week progressive loading program is common, with longer timeframes for stubborn or post-operative cases.
Why choose our clinic
We deliver up-to-date, individualised tendon rehab — combining current best evidence with hands-on care and practical return-to-activity planning. We treat athletes and non-athletes of all ages and partner with podiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians when needed.
Ready to get back on your feet?
Book an assessment with one of our physiotherapists and we’ll create a clear, evidence-based plan to reduce your pain, restore strength and get you moving confidently again.
