Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that manifests on the lower portion of the calf and is caused by overusing the muscle of this region, such as Gastrocnemius and or Soleus.
Initially, you may not notice the issue, as it starts as a low-level inflammation and micro-tearing, but as the condition progresses, the damage and inflammation become more relevant.
Achilles Tendinopathy can be easy to treat and manage when treatment is delivered in the early stages. If the injury is not looked after, the occurring damage could be much harder to resolve.
Symptoms
Most commonly, people experience pain in the morning or when the muscle is still cold.
As the day progress and you start moving around, the pain may dissipate, and you start feeling better, ignoring the danger.
Occasionally, the area would present swollen and or tender at the touch.
Treatment options for Achilles Tendinopathy
The management of this condition starts by improving the rest time and time off from sports activities, such as:
- Running
- Soccer
- Any sport which includes jumping or being on feet
Other helpful approaches include:
- Heat pack
- Dry needling
- Improving Ankle and Big toes the mobility
- Massage Therapy
- Rock taping
Achilles tendinopathies are not a condition that will heal on its own.
As mentioned, it will feel better with rest, but as soon extra activities are played, the pain can back as strong as.
Remedial Massage and or Myotherapy treatment can help target the painful area, stimulate an immune system response, and help with the recovery process.
Also, along with the hands-on deep tissue work, mobilisation is a great way to reduce the tension in the ankle joint and improve the muscles’ functionality.
After treatment, Giovanni will give you some exercises to take home.
Those exercises would keep the area tension free, improve the joining mobility and strengthen the area.
Giovanni La Rocca
Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.