This is a common question we hear from Memphis athletes, especially runners.
Usually, the pattern we see is that the athlete has experienced consistent Achilles pain and has seen someone who recommends that they wear a boot to decrease what they suspect is inflammation by immobilizing the whole foot. Sometimes they wear the boot for 3-4 weeks, sometimes it's longer and closer to 6-8 weeks. Sometimes their foot feels better in the boot, sometimes it doesn't.
After the boot comes off and they try to get back into running, the pain instantly returns.
By the time runners come to see us for Achilles pain treatment in Memphis, much time and energy have been wasted with no real change, and they're understandably very frustrated by the entire process.
Most of the time the goal of wearing a boot is to decrease inflammation because a practitioner assumed that the pain is from tendinitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon,) and that immobilizing the foot will help decrease inflammation.
This can be misguided because oftentimes, inflammation is not the cause of the pain.
First, if the boot hasn't helped the Achilles pain, then inflammation likely isn’t the cause. Especially with the Achilles, research shows that if the pain has been around for a while, it's not an inflammatory response — it's a loading issue.
We typically find that the root cause of Achilles tendinitis has to do with loading.
We typically find that the root cause of Achilles pain has to do with tendon load mismanagement. Either the tendon has been overloaded or underloaded, and without the right amount of mechanical stress, it can’t heal.
In many cases, immobilizing the foot in a boot actually delays healing by removing the opportunity for healthy load.
If they're underloaded or overloaded, we can't expect the injury to go away on its own.
Instead of rest or immobilization, we help runners find the right amount of stress and load to support tendon healing.
A comprehensive and strategic plan to strengthen the Achilles tendon and the muscles above and below it is necessary for pain relief and long-term recovery.
There can be many factors affecting the load on your Achilles tendon, and our Memphis-based physical therapists look at all of them:
We’ll also help guide your return-to-run process so you feel confident in your body again — whether you're tackling hills, intervals, or long runs.
There are many factors to consider with persistent Achilles pain, especially in runners, and it’s not the kind of injury that heals fully without a strategic approach.
If you're a Memphis runner experiencing Achilles pain, we encourage you to start physical therapy treatment as soon as possible. Early intervention can prevent a chronic condition and get you back to the training you love.
At 901PT, our physical therapists specialize in helping runners get back to training schedules, speed work, and hill workouts after an Achilles injury.
We believe Movement is Medicine , and the right kind of movement is exactly what your body needs to heal.
We'd love to hear about what you're dealing with and offer you guidance and answer your questions about how we can help!