i love to ride my bike, and had a trip planned to ride some of the great pyrenean mountains. six weeks of treatment and i was back on the bike.
richard townsendnewcastle great park
clinician · davephysiotherapy
lower limb · plain-english guide
achilles tendinopathy
pain in the achilles tendon — usually the result of loading the tendon faster than it can adapt.
evidence-basedhcpc registeredseen in 3 daysone-to-one
first session45 minutes
typical recovery3 – 6 sessions
from£72
seen within3 days
accredited & insurer-ready
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
can you treat it at home?
most cases of achilles tendinopathy respond to a combination of self-management and targeted physiotherapy. here's how to tell which camp you're in.
try at home first
mild & new.
- less than 2 weeks old
- no radiating pain or numbness
- eases with gentle movement
- no sleep disruption
book an assessment
persistent or limiting.
- lasted 2+ weeks with no change
- shooting pain or pins & needles
- stopping you sleeping or working
- recurring flare-ups
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
when to see a gp instead.
physiotherapy is safe and effective for the vast majority of cases — but these signs mean you should contact your gp, 111, or a&e first.
patients who had achilles tendinopathy.
a few words from patients we've treated for achilles tendinopathy.
darren was quick and efficient at identifying my problem and actively working to solve it. great north run 2011.
laura robb
clinician · darrensports injury
i didn't think the great north run 2011 was going to happen for me. a few weeks with darren and it did.
paul rickeard
clinician · darrensports injury
faqs.
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (bupa, aviva, vitality, wpa, axa) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
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.
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.
most patients are seen within three working days. evening and saturday-morning slots are available but book up quickly.
ready to sort it?
book a 45-minute assessment online, or call 0191 217 1929 and our reception team will match you to the right clinician.
treatments for achilles tendinopathy
what we'll often recommend.
most achilles tendinopathy plans combine one or more of the following evidence-based treatments.
most booked45 min
01
physiotherapy
hands-on assessment and treatment for pain, injury, and long-term conditions. 45-minute initial consultation.
from£72
book45 min
03
sports injury
assessment, diagnosis and return-to-sport rehab from physios who've worked with olympic and national teams.
from£72
book30–60 min
05
sports massage
deep-tissue work to improve circulation, reduce doms, and keep you training without niggles.
from£55
bookrelated guides
keep learning.
conditions we see most often alongside achilles tendinopathy.