Pain at the back of your heel when you walk, run, climb stairs or get out of bed in the morning? Get your Achilles assessed. Achilles tendon pain is common in runners, walkers and active adults, especially after a sudden increase in running, hills, sports or training volume.
At our Oakville clinic, Dr. Jenn Garven uses Contemporary Medical Acupuncture as part of her treatment approach for Achilles tendon pain and Achilles tendinopathy. She assesses the tendon, calf muscles, ankle movement, strength and foot mechanics first. Then she decides where acupuncture fits.
Learn more about Acupuncture in Oakville
Achilles Tendonitis and Achilles Tendinopathy
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel and is heavily loaded when you walk, run, jump or push off your toes. Patients often call pain in this area Achilles tendonitis. With longer-lasting problems, Achilles tendinopathy is usually the more accurate term.
Common symptoms include pain at the back of the heel or a few centimetres above it, morning stiffness, tenderness, tendon thickening and pain with running, stairs or pushing off the foot. A classic complaint is: “It loosens up once I start moving, then hurts again afterwards.”
How Dr. Jenn Uses Acupuncture for Achilles Pain
Dr. Jenn does not simply put needles around the painful tendon. She assesses the Achilles, gastrocnemius, soleus, ankle range of motion, strength and foot mechanics to determine what is contributing to the problem.
The gastrocnemius and soleus form the calf complex and connect directly into the Achilles tendon. When these muscles are painful, tight or overloaded, acupuncture can be used to target them directly. Depending on the patient, Dr. Jenn may also use gentle electrical stimulation with selected acupuncture needles.
Treatment is based on the examination, not a generic Achilles acupuncture protocol.
Mid-Portion vs Insertional Achilles Pain
Where the tendon hurts matters. Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy usually causes pain roughly 2–6 cm above the heel, while insertional Achilles tendinopathy occurs where the tendon attaches directly to the heel bone.
Insertional problems can be aggravated by shoes, hills and deep ankle dorsiflexion. This is why we do not aggressively stretch every sore Achilles the same way. The correct treatment and exercise program depends on where the tendon is injured and how irritable it is.
Acupuncture and Achilles Rehabilitation
Acupuncture is one part of Achilles treatment. The tendon eventually needs to become strong enough to tolerate walking, running, stairs and sport again, so progressive strengthening and tendon loading are extremely important.
Rehabilitation can include calf raises, bent-knee calf strengthening, isometric holds and progressively heavier exercises. Complete rest is not automatically the answer either. Some patients can continue modified activity, while others need to temporarily reduce running distance, speed or hills.
For runners, Dr. Jenn also looks at recent changes in mileage, hills, speed work, footwear and training. Learn more about our Running Injury Treatment in Oakville.
Does Acupuncture Work for Achilles Tendonitis?
There is clinical research supporting acupuncture as an option for Achilles tendinopathy, including a randomized controlled trial on acupuncture for chronic Achilles tendinopathy.
The research base for acupuncture is smaller than the evidence supporting progressive tendon loading, which is why we do not treat an Achilles with needles alone. Our goal is to reduce pain, address involved muscles, restore movement and progressively increase how much load the tendon can tolerate.
Shockwave Therapy for Persistent Achilles Pain
For stubborn Achilles tendon injuries, Shockwave Therapy in Oakville can also be incorporated when clinically appropriate.
Acupuncture and shockwave have different roles. Acupuncture can target painful or tight muscles around the Achilles, while shockwave can be directed toward the persistent tendon injury itself. Rehabilitation then progressively reloads the tendon.
Foot mechanics and footwear can also contribute to repeated Achilles problems. Not everyone needs orthotics, but if poor support appears to be contributing, we can assess the feet and gait. Learn more about Custom Orthotics in Oakville.
When Achilles Pain Could Be a Rupture
A sudden Achilles injury is different from gradual Achilles tendinopathy. Seek prompt medical assessment if you experience a sudden pop, severe pain after running or jumping, significant weakness, difficulty pushing off the foot or standing on your toes, or a visible or palpable gap in the tendon.
A suspected Achilles rupture should not simply be treated as Achilles tendonitis.
Why See Dr. Jenn for Achilles Acupuncture in Oakville?
Dr. Jenn Garven is a chiropractor who completed Contemporary Medical Acupuncture training through McMaster University. She treats muscle, joint, tendon and sports injuries at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Oakville.
When you tell Jenn, “My Achilles hurts,” she wants to know why. Is it mid-portion or insertional? Is the calf overloaded? Is the soleus involved? Is ankle movement restricted? Has your running volume suddenly increased? Is the tendon weak?
The acupuncture needle is the tool. Knowing when, where and why to use it is the important part.
Dr. Jenn provides Contemporary Medical Acupuncture at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, 1131 Nottinghill Gate in Glen Abbey, Oakville. We regularly see patients from Glen Abbey, West Oak Trails, Bronte, River Oaks and throughout Oakville.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture for Achilles Tendonitis
Can acupuncture help Achilles tendonitis?
Yes. Acupuncture is a legitimate treatment option for Achilles tendon pain, particularly when tight calf and soleus muscles are contributing to the problem. Dr. Jenn assesses the tendon and surrounding muscles before determining where acupuncture should be used.
Does acupuncture work for Achilles tendinopathy?
Research has found improvements in pain and function in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy treated with acupuncture. At our Oakville clinic, acupuncture is often combined with appropriate strengthening, activity modification and other treatments based on the individual injury.
Where are acupuncture needles placed for Achilles tendonitis?
There is no single pattern used for every patient. Dr. Jenn commonly assesses the gastrocnemius, soleus, Achilles tendon and surrounding lower-leg tissues and selects treatment locations based on the examination.
Can acupuncture loosen tight calves?
Yes. Tight gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are common treatment targets in Achilles patients. Acupuncture allows Dr. Jenn to directly target specific tight areas within these muscles.
What is the difference between Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinopathy?
Tendonitis traditionally refers to inflammation of the tendon. Tendinopathy is a broader term describing persistent tendon pain and structural changes that can develop from repeated overload. Most long-standing Achilles problems are better described as tendinopathy, although patients commonly search for and use the term Achilles tendonitis.
Can I run with Achilles tendonitis?
Sometimes. The answer depends on how irritated the tendon is, the amount of pain during and after running and the type of Achilles injury. Many patients can continue modified activity while gradually rebuilding tendon strength.
Is shockwave therapy good for Achilles tendonitis?
Shockwave therapy is commonly used for persistent Achilles tendinopathy and is one of the treatments available at our Oakville clinic. Dr. Jenn or another member of our clinical team can determine whether shockwave makes sense for your specific Achilles injury.
Should I stretch my Achilles?
Not automatically. Stretching can be useful when calf tightness is contributing to the problem, but aggressive stretching can irritate some insertional Achilles injuries. Get the tendon assessed before repeatedly forcing it into painful stretches.
Do I need orthotics for Achilles tendonitis?
Not everybody does. If abnormal foot mechanics or excessive pronation appear to be increasing strain through the Achilles, Dr. Jenn may recommend assessing your footwear or foot biomechanics.
How long does Achilles tendonitis take to heal?
Achilles tendons can be stubborn, particularly when the problem has been present for months. Recovery depends on the severity and duration of the injury, activity demands, tendon strength and how consistently the underlying problem is addressed.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for acupuncture?
Usually no. You can contact our Oakville clinic directly to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenn. Individual insurance policies can have different reimbursement requirements.
Where can I get acupuncture for Achilles tendonitis in Oakville?
Dr. Jenn Garven provides Contemporary Medical Acupuncture at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, 1131 Nottinghill Gate in Oakville.
Stop Waiting for Your Achilles to Fix Itself
Achilles injuries have a bad habit of hanging around.
You rest it.
It feels better.
You run again.
It hurts again.
You stretch it.
Roll the calf.
Take another week off.
Then repeat the whole thing.
At some point, somebody needs to actually assess why the tendon keeps getting irritated.
That is what Dr. Jenn does.
She understands the Achilles.
She understands the calf.
She understands the mechanics.
And she knows how to use acupuncture as part of a proper musculoskeletal treatment plan.
If the back of your heel has been hurting every morning, bothering you when you run or stopping you from doing the activities you want to do, come in and get it looked at.
Call: 905-827-4197
Text: 289-228-8858
Book an Acupuncture Appointment in Oakville
For stubborn tendon injuries, also read about our Shockwave Therapy in Oakville and Running Injury Treatment.