Acupuncture for Achilles pain
The Achilles carries a lot of load and is slow to heal. Acupuncture brings blood flow to the tendon and settles the morning stiffness.
Achilles tendinopathy is irritation and wear of the tendon that connects the calf to the heel. It shows up in runners and in anyone who ramps up activity quickly, and it brings pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle.
Like other tendons, the Achilles has a poor blood supply, so it heals slowly. Acupuncture fits this well: it draws blood flow to the tendon while we manage the load on it.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound familiar, it's worth coming in to talk. This list isn't a diagnosis; your first visit is where we sort that out.
Why acupuncture works here
We work at three levels at once, local, segmental, and central, matched to what your body needs on the day.
From first visit to plan
Every patient goes through the same four steps, without being rushed. The first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
As the name suggests, Achilles tendinopathy is a condition of the achilles tendon of the foot. The achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles (gastrocnemius) to the heel bone. In athletes it usually comes from overusing the tendon while running and walking. But it can also affect anyone who stands too long at their job, or people with underlying conditions such as arthritis or structural foot problems.
Common symptoms are soreness and pain along the backside of the calf and heel, stiffness and trouble walking smoothly, and swelling and tenderness of the achilles tendon itself. Sometimes pain and stiffness in the sole of the foot (plantar fasciitis) shows up alongside it.
When a Traditional Korean Medicine practitioner treats achilles tendinopathy, everything starts with a precise diagnosis of which anatomical structures are affected. Different structures in the lower limb produce different complaints, so the practitioner first builds a full picture of the patient's current musculoskeletal state. The treatment then works toward the goals below.
- Release tension in the muscles that are connected to the tendon
- Facilitate recovery of the achilles tendon by introducing greater circulation and release of inflammatory chemicals of the body
- Resolve any referred pain or any other structures that are affected in tandem.
踵 heel
Read jong in Korean. Hanja are learned meaning first, then sound, so this one is 발꿈치 종.