Achilles tendonitis is a common condition that impacts the Achilles tendon, which connects the upper thigh muscle to the heel bone. It’s brought on by overuse or recurring strain on the tendon and is very unbearable, hampering some physical activity and adversely impacting your normal activity.
Thankfully, physical rehabilitation is a powerful treatment method for this affliction. Physiotherapists utilize a variety of treatments to reduce swelling and soreness, enhance range of motion, and strengthen the muscular tissues around the affected location.
This article will explore how physical rehabilitation can help treat Achilles tendonitis and also supply some ideas on just how to get the most from your therapy.
What is Achilles Tendonitis?
As was mentioned above, Achilles tendonitis is an uncomfortable health condition bearing upon the connective tissue that connects the tight calf muscle mass to the foot bone.
Tendonitis is triggered by continuously straining a tendon and can be very limiting. Signs of Achilles tendonitis include pain in the soft tissues as well as rigidity in the rear of the lower leg, swelling, tenderness, as well as difficulty walking or running.
Achilles tendonitis can lead to degenerative tendon along with even tendon rupture if left untreated. (Tendon tissue degeneration will leave the tendon weaker and will create more chronic pain.)
While most incidents of Achilles tendonitis will ultimately recover by themselves, the recovery process may be greatly improved by a visit to the physio therapist.
Root Causes Of Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is triggered by excessive use or repeated stress of the Achilles tendon. This can occur from actions such as running, leaping, as well as playing sports that include a lot of jumping or running. Most sports players will almost definitely experience Achilles tendonitis at some point in their lives.
Achilles tendonitis can also be brought on by wearing shoe wear that doesn’t offer sufficient reinforcement for the feet, like poor fitting shoes, or by having taut upper leg muscles. Likewise, people with flat feet are more likely to suffer from Achilles tendonitis because of the increased pressure on the tendon when jogging or taking a walk.
Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation for Achilles Tendonitis
As a treatment option, physiotherapy offers several essential advantages to people who suffer from Achilles tendonitis. Physical rehabilitation provides pain relief as well as decreasing true inflammation in the muscle mass by stimulating blood flow to the afflicted area as well as loosening up the stress that the muscle tissues and tendon are experiencing.
Manual therapy additionally serves to help to improve mobility and also boost a client’s range of movement as the tendon is in the healing process. Then finally, physiotherapy helps to strengthen the muscle tissues around the damaged area, making re-injury to the tendon less probable.
Another benefit of physical rehabilitation is that it’s a non-invasive treatment, meaning there’s no danger of complications or negative side effects from the therapy. What’s even more, physio therapists can evaluate the condition and develop an individualized rehabilitation plan to help in reducing your discomfort and improve tendon and muscle tissue function.
Kinds Of Physical Rehabilitation Treatments for Achilles Tendonitis
The first step in treating Achilles tendonitis through physical rehabilitation is to decrease pain as well as swelling. This can be carried out with techniques such as ice treatment, ultrasound, and electric stimulation.
Once the swelling has been lessened, stretching and strengthening workouts may be utilized to enhance the overall flexibility and strength of the Achilles tendon.
Physiotherapists also make use of a range of strategies such as stretching exercises, massage therapy, ultrasound treatment, ice/heat treatment, electric stimulation (TENS), and bracing/taping to treat this injury.
Stretching activities are essential for increasing mobility in the calf muscle groups while strengthening exercises help construct stamina in these muscles. Massage treatment helps in reducing tension in taut muscle tissues while ultrasound treatment helps reduce swelling.
Ice/heat therapy can additionally be made use of to reduce swelling and pain, while electric stimulation (TENS) helps unwind rigid muscles. Bracing/taping can also deliver reinforcement for damaged tendons.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Physical Rehabilitation Treatment
Use these suggestions to get the most out of your physical rehabilitation treatment:
- Choose a physiotherapist that you’re comfortable collaborating with. Your physio therapist must be well-informed and well-experienced in the therapy of Achilles tendonitis and various other injuries.
- Follow your physio therapist’s guidance and do all of the suggested workouts. While some workouts may be momentarily uncomfortable, they are essential to loosening the tension which produced the injury and strengthening your muscle tissues to avoid more damage.
- Put on supportive footwear when participating in activities that may cause stress on the Achilles tendon. Inadequate foot support is a contributing aspect to Achilles tendonitis as well as similar injuries.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises should be carried out on a regular basis to preserve mobility and toughness in the upper leg muscles.
- Finally, heat or icing therapy can be used to minimize pain and swelling after activity.
By adhering to these tips, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your physical rehabilitation therapy.
Recap
Physical rehabilitation is a beneficial treatment for Achilles tendonitis, providing discomfort reduction, boosted mobility as well as range of motion, and strengthening of the muscles around the damaged area.
Physio therapists make use of a range of techniques such as stretching workouts, massage treatment, ultrasound therapy, ice/heat treatment, electric stimulation, and bracing/taping to treat this injury.
To get the best results out of physiotherapy treatments for Achilles tendonitis, it is essential to find a physiotherapist that you are at ease with and follow their directions.
Furthermore, supportive footwear should be used throughout actions that might create stress on the Achilles tendon, and flexing and strengthening exercises ought to be done frequently. Finally, icing or heat treatment may be utilized to lessen aching and inflammation after activity.
Give the professionals at Ottawa Physical Rehab Clinic a phone call and let our skilled staff of physio therapists help eliminate your Achilles tendonitis pain and get you back to your regular activities. We’re now accepting new patients, so call today.