ACHILLES TENDINITIS

Kick up your heels. Get back to enjoying life.

ACHILLES TENDINITIS

Kick up your heels. Get back to enjoying life.

5/5
Wow! I don’t even know where to begin, but all I can say about this woman is WOW! I have been seeing Susan for over ten years now. When I first started seeing her, my feet hurt so badly that I could barely walk. She was able to fix my foot problems after first diagnosing and fixing other issues in my legs, pelvis and back. She will tell you that everything is connected and she is correct. She will find the root of the problem, which might not even be where you think it is or where you are having the pain. I continue to see her for problems that arise once or twice a year and she amazes me every time. The great thing about her is how passionate she is in making you feel better, because she really wants to help. What comes along with this is her ability to teach you (if you are willing to learn) to help yourself feel better.
Chris B.

WHAT IS ACHILLES TENDONITIS?

Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of the heel cord, the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.

There are 2 types:

  • Insertional Achilles tendonitis, occurring where the tendon connects to the heel bone (calcaneus)
  • Non-insertional Achilles tendonitis, more common in active and younger people, affects the middle of the tendon with microtears leading to gradual degeneration.

WHAT DOES ACHILLES TENDINITIS FEEL LIKE?

  • Pain and tenderness in the back of the ankle in the area of the heel cord.
  • It may feel swollen, thickened and hard.

HOW DOES IT DEVELOP?

  • Typically, Achilles tendinitis is not the result of an injury.
  • It develops with repeated stress or “overuse” of the tendon.
  • Many times, it is the result of an improper alignment of the foot to the leg which irritates causes a rubbing effect.
  • It can be present in runners and weekend athletes.
  • It may also be vulnerable in those who have a sudden increase in exercise activities, especially with tight calf muscles.

HOW CAN I CAN MANAGE MY ACHILLES TENDINITIS?

  • Rest and ice should be the treatment of choice in an acute flare-up
  • Reduce the intensity and duration time spent on your feet
  • When ready, always warm up the body with slow (regular) walking before increasing the pace
  • Gently stretch the calf muscles.
  • Listen to your body. Pain in your heel cord is a sign that you are doing too much.

WHAT IF I CANNOT MANAGE MY ACHILLES TENDINITIS?

  • If you cannot reduce the pain and swelling on your own, the condition will tend to worsen and become more chronic.
  • Tight calf muscles will tend to get tighter.
  • Bone spurs and calcification of the tendon may occur.
  • Often with heel cord pain, a limp occurs to reduce the pressure and compensate.
  • This compensation may lead to pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body as they become overused.

HOW CAN BALTIMORE HOLISTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?

The art of healing Achilles tendinitis.

Your whole body will be assessed to find the multiple factors involved with your condition. This includes the posture of your body standing over your feet as well as the posture (position) of both feet on and off the ground.

The way that you stand, walk and run on your feet affects whether your condition will heal properly or become more chronic.  Your footwear and other factors individual to you are also addressed.

“Fixing” the spot that hurts is only one aspect of the treatment.  Teaching you how to avoid future problems is very specific to your needs and will be addressed accordingly.  This holistic approach is designed for you to minimize your time spent in the physical therapy office and maximize your quality of life as quickly as possible.

What Our Patients Have To Say

5/5

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A:  Firstly, I don’t believe in doing what didn’t work before. Many physical therapy practices approach a problem by going to the painful region. Oftentimes, this is a very temporary fix. By taking a holistic, hands-on approach, I understand that your pain may be coming from another part of the body, or even have multiple sources, including posture. By individualizing your treatment, I concentrate on healing and re-balancing the body, to manage your pain and lessen the chance of it returning. Then, I teach you how to manage your posture and movement.

A: Treatments for headaches or other pain from a recent problem will generally benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first 2 weeks, then 1 session per week. Older conditions will benefit from 2 treatment sessions for the first week and then 1 session per week. Wellness sessions to rebalance and optimize the body for healthy aging range from a single session every month to once every six months and will be recommended on an individual basis.

A: An initial evaluation will take 1 hour. (Scar adhesion or sinus treatments only require 45 minutes.) Most follow-up treatments will be done in 30 minute sessions; multiple body areas may require 45 minutes

A: Any heavy exercise or recreational program should be done prior to the physical therapy or wellness session and then not for 24 hours after, in order for the body to adjust itself to the changes in muscle balance.

A: I will teach you techniques to perform on yourself if there is a flare-up and instruct you on proper body mechanics and ergonomics.

A: It is a facial aesthetics program of wrinkle reduction and facial rejuvenation using hands-on physical therapy and osteopathic techniques which may reduce the signs of aging in the face and neck. A FREE HEALTHY AGING CONSULTATION is available. See Refacée®

A: Wellness programs for healthy aging are not covered by most insurances, but may be reimbursable through a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA). A written bill and receipt will be provided upon your request. Although I do not participate in or bill insurance directly, I will provide a bill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement, upon request. As there are many types of insurance plans with each provider, it is your responsibility to understand the terms of your insurance. *Those with Medicare Part B insurance from CMS will only be allowed to be part of the Healthy Aging program, NOT for physical therapy treatment. Please see Payment Terms and Policies.

A: Appointments may be made in the following ways: Please call 410-665-3223 Email: Dr.Susan@baltimoreholisticpt.com