Achilles tendinopathy (adjunctive care)
Also known as: achilles tendinopathy, achilles tendinitis, heel tendon pain
Achilles tendinopathy is pain and stiffness in the heel tendon, usually worse first thing in the morning and after activity. Graded loading exercise is the core treatment. Chinese medicine sees it as Qi and Blood stagnation in the Bladder and Kidney channels, Damp-Heat, or Liver-Kidney deficiency failing to nourish the sinews.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Keep doing a graded calf-strengthening program — rest alone doesn't fix it.
- •Cut back running volume rather than stopping completely.
- •Wear supportive shoes; avoid going barefoot on hard floors during flares.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Never needle directly into the Achilles tendon.[]
- •Suspected rupture needs ultrasound and orthopaedic review before treatment.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Track morning stiffness, pain on loading and VISA-A score if used. Refer to physiotherapy or sports medicine if no improvement after 6–8 weeks.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- NICE · 2024
- Therapeutic Goods Administration · 2023
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.